While the blog started as a record of my backyard garden and birds, it quickly grew as I discovered bird photography. This page contains images taken “beyond the backyard” during my travels around Central Florida (and beyond!)
March 23, 2025 - The new Orlando Wetlands boardwalk offers close-up views of nesting Roseate Spoonbills. I got to photograph scenes of courtship, nest-building, and tiny babies getting fed by patient Mom and Dad
February 8, 2025 - An afternoon walk at the Circle B Bar Reserve yielded greedy white birds, snake-stealing drama, and pastel sunset skies
November 30, 2024 - A Thanksgiving afternoon walk at the newly-reopened Oakland Nature Preserve boardwalk. Lots of trees down, just a few birds, and a turtle!
April 20, 2024 - Our first visit to Circle B Bar Reserve in several years. Woodpeckers, eagles, and osprey were all getting ready for springtime breeding season
February 25, 2024 - Birds at Orlando Wetlands were already thinking about spring - Roseate Spoonbills in breeding colors and Sandhill Crane nest
February 10, 2024 - Sunrise met fog and created a magical glow in the Orlando Wetlands. Then Roseate Spoonbills flew through the glow! Amazing photographic opportunities! :)
January 31, 2024 - Cold lake winds limited photography in early January, but I did locate the Bronzed Cowbird visitor to Lake Apopka. Plus Purple Gallinule and Bald Eagle
January 27, 2024 - Fun for my camera with a pair of Common Gallinules fighting in a commotion of flapping wings, splashing waterdrops, and a fury of feet!
January 22, 2024 - A cold January morning at Orlando Wetlands yielded a Belted Kingfisher, several Marsh Wrens, cooperative Black-bellied Whistling-ducks, and lots of other birds
January 15, 2024 - A magical sunrise through the fog illuminated a pair of courting Great Egrets at Orlando Wetlands in early January.
January 5, 2024 - Our afternoon walk at Oakland Nature Preserve yielded few birds on a cold breezy day - Warblers and Common Gallinule who laughed at me!
December 29, 2023 - My lifer Eared Grebes were diving in a pond on a dreary rainy day. They were joined by Hooded and Common Mergansers and a Ruddy Duck
July 9, 2023 - Beautiful May morning spent lying in the sand photographing baby American Oystercatchers
June 6, 2023 - Fort De Soto is one of the few places where you see see all five types of plover in one morning. Beautiful birds in spiffy breeding plumage!
May 24, 2023 - Fun morning photographing the Reddish Egrets dancing in the surf at Fort De Soto's North Beach. Fish was on the menu that morning!
May 21, 2023 - A springtime photography walk at Lake Morton yielded cute baby birds, waylaid migrants, and nesting swans. Plus beautiful Wood Ducks!
May 7, 2023 - In mid-April I drove the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in search of migrants. I missed the chat but picked up Prairie and Yellow Warblers
May 5, 2023 - Hungry migrant birds are happy to find a fruiting fig tree after their long migratory flight across the gulf to Fort De Soto
May 4, 2023 - A stop at Fort De Soto's mulberry trees in mid-April yields few migrants and several local birds at the fountain
May 2, 2023 - Fort De Soto's North Beach is one my favorite places to photograph! Nesting birds, bathing birds, fishing birds, breeding birds, you name it!
May 1, 2023 - Royal tern courtship is one reason I love to photograph at Fort De Soto in mid-April. Lots of fish, nagging females, and "piggy-back" rides!
April 30, 2023 - Piping plovers in breeding plumage forage and squabble along the ocean shore at Fort De Soto's North Beach
April 29, 2023 - The only thing better than a Reddish Egret dancing along Fort De Soto's North Beach is...TWO birds doing a synchronized drunken sailor dance
April 27, 2023 - A pair of Mute Swans feels springtime love in the air as they perform a graceful courtship synchronized dance
April 25, 2023 - Lake Morton is a busy place in the spring, with nesting ducks and tiny ducklings showing up everywhere! Wood Ducks are everywhere this year!
April 23, 2023 - Springtime is great for baby birds at Lake Morton. From breeding ducks to little ducklings, there's always something fun to photograph!
April 19, 2023 - Springtime bird photography is always fun at Lake Morton, with nesting swans, baby ducks, and singing warblers
April 15, 2023 - Rookery activity at Orlando Wetlands was waning in late March. A Great Blue Heron fought with his dinner as the Wood Storks flew in sticks
April 13, 2023 - A last morning of American White Pelican photography, when four cooperative birds preened for the Beast and gave me great head shots!
April 12, 2023 - Wood Ducks were active in Lakeland in mid-March. I saw a pair mate, then a small flock splashed around in the gorgeous morning light
April 10, 2023 - A quiet morning of bird photography on the south shores of Lake Apopka. Bonaparte's Gull, Forster's Tern, Wood Duck, and Osprey with Fish!
April 8, 2023 - Another fun afternoon of photography at Orlando Wetlands, where we found a turtle in addition to beautiful birds in flight
April 6, 2023 - Another fun afternoon of springtime bird photography at Orlando Wetlands. Vultures and herons and cranes and spoonies!
April 5, 2023 - Evening life at the Roseate Spoonbill nest. Dad brings in sticks while Mom feeds the kids. Lots of head-bobbing!
April 4, 2023 - Roseate Spoonbills were busy bringing in nesting material in mid-March. Read to find out who won the Biggest Stick Competition!
April 2, 2023 - Two gulls fight over a fish on the shores of Lake Morton. It's easier to steal than to catch your own!
April 1, 2023 - The golden light in Lakeland is perfect for American White Pelican head shots! Breeding plumage + fun lake reflections = happy photographer
March 30, 2023 - An afternoon visit to Orlando Wetlands Park primarily concentrated on a Roseate Spoonbill nest, where four small bills nagged Mom for a meal
March 28, 2023 - A fun Sandhill Crane colt action sequence where the older baby dances and body-slams his younger brother. The bully ended up on his belly!
March 27, 2023 - A special morning photographing Sandhill Crane colts at Orlando Wetlands. The tiny babies ate bugs under the watchful eyes of their parents
March 25, 2023 - On my afternoon bike ride I checked on the Great Blue Heron nest (no babies) and found Anhingas building their nest
March 20, 2023 - Spring break 2023 was a great week for bird photography in Central FL! Sandhill Crane colts, nesting Roseate Spoonbills, & Great Egret chicks
March 18, 2023 - Bird photography fun at the rookery followed by a gorgeous sunset - it's just another afternoon at Orlando Wetlands Park!
March 17, 2023 - Roseate Spoonbills play musical trees in their nesting habitat in beautiful afternoon light. A photographer's dream!
March 16, 2023 - A Bald Eagle hunts for breakfast at Orlando Wetlands, finally grabbing a siren from the water and flying off with it
March 14, 2023 - The new boardwalk at Orlando Wetlands is great for bird photography! Spoonbills, Limpkins, Kingfishers, and Coots that walk on water!
March 13, 2023 - Sunrises at Orlando Wetlands can yield dramatic orange skies, accentuated by nesting birds flying in with sticks!
March 6, 2023 - Afternoon bike ride and photography at Lake Apopka yielded Northern Flicker, Gray-headed Swamphens, and a gorgeous Northern Shoveler
March 1, 2023 - Springtime walk at Lake Morton yields great light and great birds! Redhead, Wood Ducks, and American White Pelicans