Ruddy Turnstone, #46/50

The Ruddy Turnstone seems to be at almost every beach I go to, so I seem to be taking it's picture a lot!

The Ruddy Turnstone uses it's short upturned bill to flip over rocks in search of food.

I love the orange legs and calico plumage pattern~

Flipping over a shell in search of food~

Long-billed Curlew, 44/50

One of my favorites! I found this one @ Fort De Soto Park just this past weekend and the one below in Feb @ Bunche Beach, both locations on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

The Long-billed Curlew is usually solitary, and uses his bill to probe deep into the mud, bringing up prey to the surface.

Extremely large, with an extraordinarily long bill. Plain buffy-brown overall, lacking dark crown-stripes of the Whimbrel.

Willet, #43/50

This Willet was searching for food by the waters edge near Indian Shores.  I made another stop to the Seabird Sanctuary there and took a walk out back to enjoy the shorebirds that I may find.

The Willet is a large shorebird, pale gray overall, with long bluish-gray legs and bill.

The Willet is a common and abundant resident in southern Florida,

Cooper's Hawk, # 37/50

This Cooper's Hawk stood ready at the entrance to Green Cay Wetlands, greeting the visitors one early Saturday morning~

I was able to photograph him from the back, side and front.~

Interesting Facts:

Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds).

Burrowing Owl, 35/50

The above Burrowing Owl lives in a protected area, on a soccer field.  There are quite a few owls that live at Brian Piccolo Park. The one above was not going to let me get any closer! I was using my 80-400mm, but I was very low to the ground and I think he felt threatened. I took a few pictures but didn't want to stress him out, so I left the area right after I took these shots.

I spotted this roped off area as I left Tiger Tail beach, and when I pulled over I noticed him.  There were a lot of high weeds around him, and I didn't want his sand pile in the back ground, and as you can see, he kept his eye on me as I carefully circled around to his side.

Interesting facts:

Mottled brown with barred underparts, long legs and an upright stance, this species is one of the most charismatic owls. As its name suggests, it lives and nests in underground burrows. Hunts usually at dusk, but also during the day.

Double-crested Cormorant, # 32/50

I spotted this Cormorant last summer @ Vierra Wetlands. The GETTY Editors contacted me through my Flickr account stating an interest in this image, and it is now available for Sale @ GETTY.

I am not a big fan of photographing birds straight on,  but this look was too funny to pass up.  He was very friendly, as tourists stood right next to him having their pictures taken, like a celebrity!  Some of my friends have seen the Neotropic Cormorant here @ Wakodohatchee, but I have not yet seen it. (distinguished by white around the eye/face)

Drying his wings on Miami Beach, near the Crandon Park area.

Interesting Facts:

Dark overal coloration, long neck, hooked bill with yellow throat patch.   Saltwater and freshwater species. Swims and dives well, and can sink out of sight if danger is sensed, but must periodically perch to dry its wings in the sun. Can be seen by the thousands in Florida Bay.

Little Blue Heron # 10/50

These images were taken @ Bunche Beach, Ft. Meyers FL. At one   short point in time, there were several different types of birds in this area, a Reddish Egret, a Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis. I was trying diligently to focus only on the Little Blue 

:-), and I will admit I was continually distracted by the Reddish Egret, who was stealing the show.

Interesting facts:

The adult is easily identified by its dark gray coloration, but the white immatures are possible to mistake for a number of other species, including the white morph of an immature reddish egret.  It is important to study medium-sized white herons very carefully, as they could be mistaken for a Snowy or even a Cattle Egret. Young Little Blue Herons have no head plumes and the legs are overall greenish.