Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Friday, February 13, 2015

Florida Birding

Standard procedure some years ago for me was upland game and duck and goose hunting with my Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Then about ten years ago changing health circumstances and new interests brought me to birding with binoculars and my first German Shepard Baron.  Now Lily, another GSD, and I carry on with twice a day hikes and the same trusty binocs.
From our first trips to Fort Myers to see the Minnesota Twins in spring training I realized Florida was a birders paradise.  This year in January I knew the vast flocks of song birds wouldn't have arrived yet on their migrations north but there were plenty of waders, shorebirds and various raptors to be seen.  The plan this year was more laid back than in the past.  That meant some hiking in nearby parks and refuges and also a lot of reading from the screened in porch and the dock with keen eye on the creek across the front yard.  Take a look....

Friend Gary and Mrs. T. keeping a lookout.
Visiting every day and known locally  as the "W.B.s" (the white birds) aka Great White Egrets.
The cottage came equipped with both a canoe and a kayak so Gary and Rosie headed upstream. The following photographs by Gary Anderson.
A rare Wood Stork.
Little Blue Heron
 Black Skimmers
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Rare Migrating Minnesota Lovebirds
 

30 comments:

  1. What fine birds, especially those last two for Valentine's Day! :-)

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  2. Look at those lovebirds! Awesome!

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  3. I am a closet amateur birder. My mom was always running to the book to identify a new species.

    We were never lucky enough to spot and correctly identify a pair of the rare Minnesota Love Birds.

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  4. Great last photo, what fun to be out in the sunshine and see birds!! Stay warm as sub zero is headed your way:)

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  5. Gotta love those migrating love birds---how sweet!

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  6. What a great place to watch birds. However, I've hunted through my bird book but cannot find those in the last picture... smiles.

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  7. : ) Great spot and I just love the love birds!!

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  8. Awwww, sweet love birds. Looks like a wonderful trip. Blessings Francine.

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  9. Great birds. Happy Valentine's Day to the lovebirds.

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  10. We have herons here of course but I've never seen the egrets. I've heard they were hunted almost to extinction. It's good to see them making a come back.

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  11. Many avid birders from her visit Florida . alot of them visit Texas as well.

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  12. You did successfully see some great birds. I doubt they will a.. follow you back north.

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  13. I like that last migrants the best! LOL

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  14. Welcome back to Minnesota to the migrants. Soon as I get through this big move I will be checking your blog -- barbara

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  15. Bet you are missing all that sunshine about now. Those are my favorite ways to bird--from a comfy chair or on the water.
    Sweet capture of those Minnesota Love Birds.

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  16. Great shots of ALL the birds!

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  17. It must have been so pleasant.

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  18. Great bird shots. You look very happy!

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  19. What marvelous birds, including the pair of you! I wondered where our Great Blue Herons went in winter.

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  20. Looks wonderful! As happy as I am to be living in Montana now, I could use a week in Sanibel...

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  21. Thinking I like the lovebirds best. Enjoy you time in the warmth. Good time to not be in Minnesota. Go Twins!

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  22. I'd love to have all of those birds around here. I see some of them in the warmer months.

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  23. What wonderful and warm memories you two lovebirds will have to share when you return to MN...and you may need them there!

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  24. Hi troutbirder, Great post. I want to be out on that canoe or a kayak. Looks like fun. Thanks for sharing! John

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  25. Ahhh--love the LOVEBIRDS the best... Bet you wish you were still in sunny Florida!!!! ha...

    Great bird pictures. When I lived there, I wasn't a 'birder' at all.... Darn ---could have enjoyed them so much....

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  26. You are the ultimate bird watcher and lovebird. Great post.

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  27. That is a very fine photo, that last one!!
    I've thought of you lately with our high school basketball season being most of what life has revolved around. Our son Mason just about achieved his career 1,000 points this, his junior season. An ankle sprain kept him out two games, which would have put him over. (He had nearly 400 this season, has been a top scorer for the varsity since his freshman year.) If only they counted assists... both boys, starting guards, had some fantastic pass plays and assists, dazzling to watch this year!

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