Tadpoles and Bird Baths

I have been back from the winter warmth and sunshine of Florida for just about 2 weeks. We had a few very warm days here a week or so back and I even mowed the grass, but now it’s descended back to late winter with chilly winds and drizzly rain.  A visit to Brighton’s Rock Gardens yesterday proved well worthwhile. Even though it was overcast, the wildlife was busy multiplying and preening as if in anticipation of the beginning of spring.

I discovered a few extra images of the newly hatched egrets from Gatorland in Florida and rather than edit the previous post they are displayed here together with tadpoles and a chaffinch.

Go to the Image Gallery and Click on any of these images to view a full page enlargement.

A pond crammed full of Tadpoles

A frog just below the waters surface.

Tadpoles in the pond at the Rock Gardens

 

A chaffinch having a bath in a small pool by the waterfall.

Another image of the chaffinch having a cleanup and splash about.

Anyone got a comb or a brush!

Welcome to the World……….

 

 

Hello World

It was my privilege to be present today at Gatorland in Kissimmee when at the breeding marshes two egrets hatched in front of our eyes. Mother was very attentive and cleaned up by throwing out the empty eggs almost immediately and by supplying food in the form of an oversized fish for the kids. We couldn’t get to close and finding a decent angle to take photographs wasn’t that easy as she kept sitting down on them and twigs from the nest build were in the way of getting clean shots without being a contortionist..

Here a few images to savour with more to follow.

It’s my birthday I’m one day old and my new brother/sister is just below

Hello world this is Mum’s beak and some grub.

I need a haircut already!

These two chicks are a little older.

I’m really enjoying my day!

I’ll be flying about soon………….

Spoonbill Antics

It’s intriguing to watch Roseate Spoonbills in the trees and on the ground at the rookery in St.Augustine. The juveniles zoom about the place squabbling and playing at let’s try to avoid being devoured by a big ugly old alligator or gathering oversized sticks for a play nest. I imagine those bills are pretty dangerous weapons if you happen to get bashed at one the many melee’s.

The rookery is alive with egrets, herons, wood storks and roseate spoonbills building nests, courting, squabbling over space and of course mating.

An egret with the brakes on!

Take that! I love the spoonbill seeming to be laughing and looking at the camera.

I’ve got stick for a bit of bashing!

All together! it’s thirsty work this rushing about lark

Calm before the storm.

So it’s a race you want then………..

An Alligator and 5 Spoonbills