Orlando Wetlands
Being the slow time of year for birding here in Florida because it’s so hot, we needed to find a spot where there was some action going on. Orlando Wetlands has a small colony of Black-necked Stilts with a few babies so we took our e-bikes there for a look…
In flight, the Black-necked Stilts are fast moving.
Eyeing up a landing spot
Keeping an eye on me as it lifts off from the water
Full wingspread on takeoff
Taking a look my way as it lifts off with grass stuck to its feet
Long legs dangling as it makes a turn
Gliding low over the grass
Top view in-flight
Calling out as it flies past
Another low flyby over the grass
Black-necked Stilt getting a drink
You can see here why they’re called Stilts
What long legs you have
Black-necked Stilt standing in the grass
Calling out as it takes flight
Gliding past me
Gliding the other way
Red Winged Blackbird buzzing a Red Shouldered Hawk
Least Bittern preparing to land with a dragonfly nearby
Juvenile Osprey practicing landing. The “orange” eye color will become yellow as it matures
This juvenile Osprey hasn’t fledged yet and was calling out for someone to bring food
Red Shouldered Hawk with a frog
Swallow-tailed Kite briefly flew overhead
Baby Black-necked Stilt walking in the water near the shoreline
Baby Black-necked Stilts
These three were foraging together
Cuteness
There must be something good over this way
More of the three babies
Getting a drink
And a bite of a plant
The good stuff must be in the taller grass
Baby Mottled Ducks giving some different poses for the camera
Red Shouldered Hawk watching for movement in the tall grass
A Red-winged Blackbird was not happy about the hawk being here
As the hawk preened, the Blackbird took advantage and attacked. The next few photos show how it happened…
The Red Shouldered Hawk looking as if to say “What the heck just happened?!”
Yellow Corn Snake up in the dead palm tree
Orlando Wetlands is always a great place to visit. It’s also a very large park so if you have a bike, it makes getting out to the more remote areas a lot easier. Without a bike, you can take one of the tour trams out. The volunteers driving will take you to where wildlife has been spotted and briefly wait for you to get photos.