Northern Caracara, # 18/50

These images were taken off Snake Road, in the Florida Everglades. I spotted his large bill and crested head from a distance, quickly pulled over, took a few images, and he flew off.  The bottom image was taken last weekend @ Vance Whidden Park, Curry Island, and I believe it to be an immature.  Access to the park is along off SR 78, 12 miles north of Moore Have, directly across from Banana Grove Road.

Interesting Facts:

Formerly called  Crested Caracara. Distinctive if perched or in flight. The large bill and red facial skin and black and white barred breast distinguish the adults. Soars on flattened wings like a raven.  The imm

#17/50 American Kestral

This image was taken @ Foto De Soto Park in Fort Meyers. Every time I inched up the car, he flew farther away and landed on the wire. This image is cropped big time.

Interesting facts:

A small colorful falcon, with two black facial bars. This is male, he has blue-gray wings. It is a common year-round resident of Florida.

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.

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.