Emeralda Marsh WMA

This morning we went to Emeralda Marsh WMA in Leesburg. The drive portion is only open from February thru May. We seem to forget every year until just after May, but not this year! The drive itself was peaceful but not very busy with birds. Towards the end near the boat ramp was where the action was. Several Snail Kites were making runs for Apple Snails…

The Swallow-tailed Kites are back. This one flew over near the beginning of the drive

Male Cardinals look stunning in nice light with a dark background

Great White Egret flying right at me.

Great White Egret looking for breakfast

Red Winged Blackbird singing away

Even though he’s flying, he’s still singing!

Red Winged Blackbird flying past

Just a strangle looking photo of a male Anhinga

A couple of Tri-colored Herons were chasing each other in front of other photographers

It looks like the Tri-colored Heron is jumping over the photographers lens

A female Snail Kite gliding over the water looking for Apple Snails

Female Snail Kite looking at me as it flys past

Female Snail Kite making a turn to dive at a snail

Female Snail Kite taking a break on a railing. You can see the red colored eye when the sun hits just right

Male Snail Kite searching for Apple Snails. Males are a solid gray color compared to the brown coloring of the females

Male Snail Kite flying past

Male Snail Kite stopped abruptly and briefly hovered as it looked for snails

Male Snail Kite

Male Snail Kite flying very close by

Male Snail Kite looking my way as it flys past

Male Snail Kite flying low over the water. You can see the red eye on the light side of his head

The male Snail Kite kept flying closer to me

Male Snail Kite still on the hunt

Male Snail Kite flying low and very back lit

Snail Kites spend most of their time flying looking down for Apple Snails the way this male is

It was a beautiful day to be outside today. Nice and sunny with a decent wind that kept it cooler, kept the bugs away and gave the birds a nice head wind to fly into.