American Avocets on North Beach!
May 22, 2022 - A small flock of 10 American Avocets surprised me at Fort De Soto in early May. Flight shots in breeding plumage = happy photographer!
Beyond the Backyard
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!)
Spring 2022 Shorebirds on Outback Key
May 8, 2022 - Spring morning photographing shorebirds on Outback Key - Piping Plover, Snowy Plover, Reddish Egret, and surprise American Avocets
Winter Birds at Oakland Nature Preserve
December 4, 2021 - A late November walk at Oakland Nature Preserve yielded Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and several species of woodpeckers
Stalking a Kitty at Circle B
November 30, 2021 - Recent bobcat sightings drew me to the Circle B Bar Reserve, where a Pileated Woodpecker and a Common Yellowthroat entertained my camera
Brave Spoonbill Guards the Entrance to LAWD
November 27, 2021 - A Roseate Spoonbill greeted me on my walk at Lake Apopka, where I also saw a Gray-headed Swamphen and soaring Northern Harriers
Eagles and a Walk around Circle B Bar Reserve
November 21, 2021 - A November walk around Circle B Bar Reserve yielded my first-of-fall Robin, Bald Eagles, a Black-crowned Night Heron, and Purple Gallinules
Ducks Unlimited! at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
November 17, 2021 - The skies were full of winter ducks in this mid-November visit to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Plus a Redhead and a Roseate Spoonbill!
Sparrows are Back at Lake Apopka
November 15, 2021 - The sparrows are back at Lake Apopka. I dipped on the Lincoln's but found plenty of Savannahs and Swamps. Plus a juvie Gray-headed Swamphen!
Magnificent Birds in Flight over Lake Apopka
October 27, 2021 - A juvenile Bald Eagle defends his nest from a Peregrine Falcon, a Northern Flicker shows off his yellow undersides, and Osprey dives for fish
More Winter Arrivals at Lake Apopka
October 21, 2021 - Winter birds continue arriving at the Lake Apopka Wildife Drive, including Blue-winged Teal and a very cooperative Peregrine Falcon
Quiet Fall Day at Lake Apopka
October 18, 2021 - A quiet morning for birding as I enjoyed another bike ride at Lake Apopka. Belted Kingfisher flight shots and first-of-fall Eastern Phoebe
More Winter Birds Arriving at Lake Apopka
October 15, 2021 - Winter birds photographed on my bike ride at Lake Apopka - Merlin, Marsh Wren, American Redstart, and Black-throated Blue Warbler
First of Fall Painted Bunting at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
October 11, 2021 - The Painted Buntings are back at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive! Great photography bike ride also turned up Yellow Warblers and a Pine Warbler
BYOP: Bring Your Own Perch!
October 8, 2021 - A cardinal thought my bike was his new perch on my latest trip to Lake Apopka. Plus Prairie Warblers and a hungry Red-shouldered Hawk
Playing Peek-a-boo with Warblers at Lake Apopka
October 4, 2021 - Fall photography peek-a-boo with warblers at Lake Apopka: Prairie Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Morning at Lake Apopka
September 28, 2021 - Lots of yellow on the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in late September: yellow warblers, yellow flowers, and returning migrant birds!
Small Hints of Fall at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
September 19, 2021 - Kingfishers, Common Yellowthroats, and Yellow Warblers mark the start of transition to fall at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive.
Slowpoke Green Turtle
September 15, 2021 - A slowpoke Green Sea Turtle took her time to nest and return to the ocean at Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge
Why Did the Purple Gallinule Cross the Trail?
September 12, 2021 - Another bike visit to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, where I discovered the secrets of Purple Gallinules and other summer birds
Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtle at Sunrise
September 8, 2021 - Photos of a nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtle as she finished laying her eggs at Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge and then returned to the ocean
Juvenile Barn Swallows at LAWD
September 5, 2021 - A late July morning at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive yielded feeding herons and bitterns and a fun family of Barn Swallows
Mid-July Visit to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
September 2, 2021 - July visit to Lake Apopka. An Indigo Bunting waved at me, Least Bitterns fished, and a pair of Common Ground Doves got the cuteness award!
Finding Your Cooties…what you see when you sit in one place
August 31, 2021 - More Lake Apopka birds, photographed from Lust Road. Juvenile American Coot, night herons, Downy Woodpecker, and a Fulvous family!
Least Bittern Babies!
August 29, 2021 - Least Bittern family with three fuzzy babies who grew up at Lake Apopka in between feedings from Mom and Dad!
July 4th Visit with a Nesting Sea Turtle
August 27, 2021 - A nesting sea turtle makes a sunrise walk on the beach very special. The Green Sea Turtle covered her eggs, then disappeared into the sunrise
Saharan Dust Sunrise
August 25, 2021 - Saharan Dust Sunrise over the canals of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Spectacular oranges, pinks, and purples lit up the skies that morning!
Continuing Quest for Least Bittern Flight Shots at LAWD
August 23, 2021 - Quest for Least Bittern flight shots in a mid-June visit to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Plus stilts, swallows, and Purple Gallinules!
More Fun from the Least Tern Colony
August 21, 2021 - Mid-June images from a Least Tern Colony, where tiny tern chicks were fed, ghost crabs were chased, and a Snowy Plover used his mom for shade
Mid-June Visit to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
August 19, 2021 - A mid-June visit to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive yielded the normal summer birds, plus a Ring-necked surprise! Stilts, Least Bitterns, and more!
Surprise Encounter with a Whimbrel
August 17, 2021 - Close-up opportunity with a Whimbrel at Fort De Soto's North Beach. Unexpected opportunity for head shots of this beautiful bird!
Rainy Morning at Fort De Soto Wading Pools
August 15, 2021 - Birds fishing in Fort De Soto's wading pools, where Snowy Egrets and a Roseate Spoonbill were busy in the early morning rain shower
More Babies on the South Shore of Lake Apopka
August 13, 2021 - Baby birds growing up on the south shore of Lake Apopka - Purple Martins, Purple Gallinules, and a Limpkin with an apple snail
Newborn Black-necked Stilts at Nest!
August 11, 2021 - A beautiful morning at Lake Apopka photographing a pair of Black-necked Stilts and their three chicks, the youngest still wet from the egg
Another Early June Lake Apopka Morning
August 9, 2021 - A beautiful June morning at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, with Northern Flickers, Least Bitterns, Black-necked Stilts, & baby Purple Gallinules
Baby Bitterns and More at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
August 7, 2021 - A baby Least Bittern and baby Northern Rough-winged Swallow were the highlights of my early June trip to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Defending the Tern Colony
August 5, 2021 - When Laughing Gulls invade, Least Terns are very effective at tending their colony. Lots of aerial acrobatics as tiny birds chase off gulls!
Least Tern Babies!!
August 3, 2021 - A beautiful morning on the beach photographing cute Least Tern babies. Such excitement when the parents brought in fish for breakfast!
Taking Turns Making Terns!
August 1, 2021 - A morning of Least Tern courtship on Outback Key. Several tern pairs took turns making terns! That makes for a fun photographic challenge! :)
Singing in the Rain!
July 29, 2021 - Roseate Spoonbills and Sandhill Cranes on a cloudy June morning at Circle B Bar Reserve - a perfect morning for singing in the rain!
Early June Visit to Circle B Bar Reserve
July 27, 2021 - An early June morning at Circle B Bar Reserve yielded Northern Parula, mating Purple Gallinules, a juvenile hawk, and a Pileated Woopecker
Another Early June Bike Ride at Lake Apopka
July 25, 2021 - A fun early June morning of Lake Apopka bike birding yielded a hungry Great Blue Heron, stilts in flight, and a singing Blue Grosbeak
Scouting for Black Skimmer Colonies
July 23, 2021 - I drove up Florida's West Coast to scout for Black Skimmer colonies. Pelicans and terns entertained me after I found the nesting birds
Lazy Laughing Gulls at North Beach
July 21, 2021 - A beautiful morning at Fort De Soto yielded lazy Laughing Gulls who prefer to steal their fish than actually catch them honestly!
Another Family of Snowy Plovers!
July 19, 2021 - Morning spent lying on the sand photographing a Snowy Plover mother and two-week-old chick. I loved it when Mom took the baby under her wing!
Least Bittern Gymnastics
July 17, 2021 - Least Bitterns practice gymnastics as they hunt at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Parallel bars, tumbling passes, and sticking the landing!
Birds in Flight at Lake Apopka
July 15, 2021 - Birds in flight at Lake Apopka - Whistling Ducks and Herons are easy to photograph as they fly over the marsh. Bonus points if they stick their tongues out!
Early June Bike Ride at Lake Apopka
July 13, 2021 - A Lake Apopka bike ride in early June yielded Blue Grosbeak, baby Purple Gallinules and Black-necked Stilts, and a surprise Eastern Kingbird
Afternoon Walk with Rich at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
July 11, 2021 - An afternoon walk at Lake Apopka with Rich yielded Fulvous Whistling-duck Babies and summer rarities: Blue-winged Teals and American Coot
Summer Life at the Edge of Lake Apopka
July 9, 2021 - Summer birds growing up on the edge of Lake Apopka - Least Bitterns, Purple Gallinules, Purple Martins, and the omnipresent Osprey with fish!
More from the South Shore of Lake Apopka
July 7, 2021 - A summer morning on the south shore of Lake Apopka yielded Purple Gallinules, a Limpkin family, and my first decent Least Bittern flight shot