Out and about…

It was a perfect day, even more perfect than ‘usual’, so I decided to take a ride around the neighborhood on my trike. The beauty of the trike is that I can load my camera into the front basket, just in case might I spot a photo op. And I did get excited about what I saw. Over a nearby lake I saw what I thought were seagulls circling overhead. But I didn’t pay attention until one of them suddenly dove straight down into the water and disappeared into the water. Of course I started shooting when it began to circle again, which let me notice the forked tail, and now I was excited that maybe it was a Swallowtail Kite, which I’ve only spotted once or twice. It’s a shame I didn’t also bring my 100-400mm lens because if I had gotten a better look I wouldn’t have tried to take so many shots. In the computer I could plainly see it was a seagull after all.

This is actually a Royal Tern, and that is surprising in itself because they are salt water shore birds, and I that’s not how I’d describe this suburban neighborhood.

A Muscovy duck striking a pose at the rookery. My friend had wanted to check and see if the birds were coming back yet. I was sure they hadn’t, but there were a few birds at least.

The anhinga condo tree was busy with birds flying in and out. Nesting seems to be underway there, but not in the shrubs along the water.

I love these juvenile ibis. They will be snow white when they grow up.

Just a shot to show the iridescence of the Muscovy’s feathers in the sun.

This is a sight you won’t often see. A photographer doing what he needed to do to get the shot.

I have to say that there are a lot of sandy spots dotting that grass, and that always has me on the lookout for fire ants. Rest assured I remained on my feet the entire time.