Anhinga, #23/50

Here we have the Anhinga, the only bird listed in the  Category, "Anhingidae - Anhingas & Darters". The top image is a male, and the female has the brown neck, or "is wearing a brown turtle neck sweater" as I like to say. The second image shows breeding colors. The Anhinga is almost always around, whether I am visiting Green Cay, Wakodohatchee, Wellington, National Everglades, this species can be found. The breeding colors are especially beautiful~

Interesting Facts:

Like cormorants, to which it is closely related, it must dry its wings intermittently in the sun after fishing forays. It often swims below the surface with only the neck and head exposed, hence another of its names, "snake-bird".

Black-necked Stilt, #16/50

I took these images @ Wakodohatchee Wetlands, Spring 2011.  I look forward to this spring when the Wetlands are drained for them to return to nest here.

Interesting facts:

Only the Greater Flamingo has longer legs in proportion to its over-all size. This unmistakable, delicate, black-and-white  shorebird is endowed with bright red legs and a slender bill. Common throughout much of the Western Hemisphere,  it is a common summer visitor, but uncommon nesting species in Southern Florida.

American Avocet, # 15/50

These images were taken @ Merritt Island NWR, January 2012. These Avocets flew in, ate quickly, and only stayed for a very short while.

Interesting Facts:

A largely white and black shorebird with a sharply upturned bill. Feeds by sweeping the bill from side to side.  A common winter visitor to southern Florida, although some also remain throughout summer.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron #6/50 Checklist

While enjoying the variety of shore birds one early morning at Bunche Beach in Ft. Meyers, I spotted this way way (way) across the water, and he shortly disappeared into the thicket.

Interesting facts:

 He is a medium-sized heron, and a rather chunky gray bird. Solitary and nocturnal, it prefers saltwater areas. Common throughout Florida.

Black-crowned Night Heron #4/50

I captured these beauties at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Indian Shores, FL. It is a pretty remarkable place if you are ever in the area. It is a non-profit, founded in 1971 by zoologist Ralph T. Heath, Jr. and is home to over 600 resident and recuperating wild birds.  The sanctuary specializes in the treatment of injured seabirds, but also cares for land birds and birds of prey.

I placed the juvenile as the first post, I couldn't resist.

www.suncoastseabirdsanctuary.com

Great Blue Heron, #3/50

I chose the GBH as my #3 for my 50 birds in 60 days project. (Wings Over Florida). For a larger view, simply click anywhere on the photo~

The top image was taken in early morning light at Merritt Island NWR, Jan 2012, the 2nd image was taken @ Wakodohatchee Wetlands in Delray/Boynton Beach, and the bottom image was taken @ Vierra Wetlands, Brevard County FL.

Interesting facts:

The largest heron of the western hemisphere and unmistakable even at a distance. Blue-gray, with a yellowish bill and black head plumes in breeding plumage.  An uncommon all-white morph occurs in southern Florida, which is considerably larger than the otherwise similar Great Egret, from which it is also separable by its yellow legs. It feeds upon a wide variety of prey, such as mice, crabs, shorebirds and frogs, as well as fish. This resident nests alone or in small colonies.