Orlando Wetlands Park
We started out a long weekend by meeting up with some friends at Orlando Wetlands Park. There were a lot of cool birds that were kind of a long ways out so not the best scenario for getting photos. Still a great time with friends out in nature…
You know its a good day when the first action you see is a Bald Eagle
Eastern Phoebe getting a start to the day in the reeds
Eastern Phoebe taking flight
The Merlin app says that this is a Purple Finch. Never seen one of these before!
The Vermillion Flycatcher stayed mostly at a far distance from us. He ‘s a pretty bird though
A Kestrel on a near by snag
This was about the closest the Vermillion Flycatcher got to us, about 100 feet away
Vermillion Flycatcher on the move
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Northern Harrier found something tasty near the water. Not the best photo but they’re usually in the air and not visible when they go to the ground
Male Cardinal in nice light eating breakfast berries
Ruby Crowned Kinglet hiding in a treetop
Yellow Rump Warbler
Green Heron
Savannah Sparrow
A Bald Eagle made an overhead flyby
A Merlin flew in and watched over the wetlands from a treetop
A Grey Headed Swamp Hen looking around for breakfast
Palm Warbler playing in a tree
A smallish (4 footer) Alligator with what looks like an Opossum that got too close to the edge of the water
The Alligator is about to finish off its breakfast. That was a big meal to get down as alligators usually swallow their catch whole
Another Green Heron in pretty light
This sea monster looking thing is a grass covered Alligator with an Anhinga in its mouth. The reflection of its teeth is funny and creepy looking
A sub adult Bald Eagle was on the move above the boardwalk
Green Heron coming in for a landing
Green Heron on the lookout
Tri-colored Heron standing on the boardwalk railing. It was not concerned at all with people walking right past it
Tri-colored Heron practicing its Karate Kid moves
Great White Egret in one of the trees above the boardwalk
Turtle hanging out in the sun
The Turtle was joined by a friend
In front of the two turtles was this smaller one sunning itself
A closer look at the smaller turtle
A pair of Red Shouldered Hawks were guarding the end of the boardwalk as we were heading back to the car
Even though a lot of the birds we came to see were a bit too far out for great photos, we still had an awesome time viewing them and hanging out with friends. We also did get to see a lot of other cool birds and animals. Orlando Wetlands never fails to be a great place to spend a day!