Spacecoast

Last week I had the opportunity to bird with friend Bill Thompson of "Bill of the Birds" and "Bird Watcher's Digest" fame at the Spacecoast Bird & Wildlife Festival. While difficult to see in this photo, Bill is actually helping to demonstrate the majesty of a Florida "mountain". In the distance between Bill's finger and thumb sits the ever impressive Mount Dora!...
…well, at least we have palm trees.

Bill Thompson attempts to capture distant Mount Dora!

While it was not very sunny and my guiding didn't allow me to capture many images, Bill and I had a great time birding (as usual) with a great bunch of folks. We saw the ever predictable Purple Gallinule, and a wintering Least Flycatcher at Zellwood. We had Barn Owls in boxes, and great views of Harriers, Red-tailed & Red-shouldered Hawks, Bald Eagles and more.

female Ring-necked Duck, Viera Wetlands, FL -digiscoped with Leica D-Lux3 through Leica APO Televid spotting scope

On a gray day with a cold front looming we visited Viera Wetlands to see the common sites. Limpkin and Crested Caracaras are always a treat, especially for a guy taking a break from a cold Ohio winter. A pair of playful River Otters humped over a dyke separating two pools, offering nice views.

ornery Loggerhead Shrike gives me the evil eye.

The lack of sun made for lackluster imaging, but still it's fun to shoot an image of a cooperative subject. This Loggerhead Shrike seemed a bit dubious of my intent, but since he was sitting so pretty, I couldn’t resist the photo op.

Hooded Merganser male digiscoped with Leica D-Lux3 and APO Televid scope

Amongst the common waterfowl which included stunning Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks and hoards of Blue-winged Teal, was an unusual hybrid Blue-winged X Cinnamon Teal that offered wonderful opportunities for study.

Since this was birding on home turf for me, I was not as excited as I am when I get to someone else's "backyard". But it was nice to be birding with folks fresh from Northern climes to vicariously benefit from their appreciation of some of this "regular" Florida stuff. One of my favorite parts of birding and guiding has always been the opportunity to share birding experiences with friends (old and new)!