Brown Pelican, #14/50

These images were taken on the  West Coast of Florida, on a chilly day in January.  I stayed around for a while watching them dive, and tried to capture images of them "diving" - I love the one I get!

Interesting facts:

The Brown Pelican is a tourists' favorite, and can be easily identified by it's large size, brown color and huge grayish bill. It can dive from great heights, its entire body disappearing below the surface. Small groups fly with synchronous wingbeats, interspersed with large glides. Common along both coasts of Florida.

American White Pelican # 13/50

I spotted these white Pelicans @ Ding Darling, Sanibel Island.  I hope to see some White Pelican's again someday soon - and I promise to get closer and get more images :-)

Interesting facts:

Unmistakable, this is one of the largest North American birds and has a wingspan of nearly 3m.  Rather than diving to feed, like the Brown Pelican, it forms flocks in shallow water that corral, then scoop up fish with the aid of their large bill pouches.  Mainly a migrant and winter visitor, a few remain in southern Florida throughout the year.

Limpkin, #12/50

The top image was taken @ Wellington  Environmental Preserve, the middle image was taken @ a Recreation pull off boat ramp off Alligator Alley, and the bottom was taken @ Merritt Island.

Interesting Facts:  A large bird with long legs and a bill that is slightly decurved, is brown with large white spotting. Secretive, it occurs discontinuously from the south-east USA, and common in South Florida. Known as the "crying bird", it is often tame when encountered.

Great Egret, #11/50

The first two images, taken @ Wellington Environmental Preserve, the Great Egret was trying to find balance. It was an overcast and gray day, and for the few seconds that the Egret was tip toeing on that branch, the sun came out. The close up image with breeding colors,  was take at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, the bottom two nests were taken at Alligator Farm rookery.

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.  

Cattle Egret, #9/50

The top image was taken @ the Rookery at Alligator Farm, of a baby Cattle Egret in his nest, and the other three images were taken @ Shark Valley, Everglades National Park. I love the cattle egret and his orange-buff color plumages.

Interesting facts:  In breeding season, it has a yellow bill, with orange-buff on the neck, chest and back, but as a non-breeder it is pure white, except the yellow bill and dark legs.  Its population is exploding and has overwhelmed those of native species.

American Bittern, #8/50

I found this American Bittern @ Shark Valley. This was the first and only time I have seen this heron, but I continue to stay on the look out.  This "frozen in place with its bill pointing skyward" is a common pose.

Interesting facts:
It is a solitary, ground dwelling species that only very rarely perches in trees, and is most frequently seen flying over marshes on rather pointed wings. A common winter visitor to freshwater marshes. The everglades comprises its center of abundance.