Tricolored Heron

This tricolored heron was vigorously hunting in the shallow waters of the Emeralda Marsh.  I find these birds to be very skittish and they are very difficult for me to get within decent range.  They usually put up with me long enough to get the tripod set up and my eye to the viewfinder, then off they go before the focus and exposure are set.  If I can get one like this guy when they are a little preoccupied with eating then I can get closer.  I really try and not disturb them while they are feeding, you never know how critical the food supply is or if they are also feeding their young.  The photos are great but not worth adversely impacting these magnificent birds.

Emeralda Marsh Gator

This photo was taken from one of the dikes running through the Emerald Marsh near Eustis, FL.  This gator was very interested in watching me set up the tripod and photographing some of the wading birds along the edge of "his" canal.  I prefer the full frontal view of the gators with just the eyes and nose out of the water but I found the reflections interesting here.  The marsh water levels are a little higher than a couple of months ago but still below the historical average.  The gators are a little more confined in the deep canals making it easier for me but, more importantly, a bit more difficult for them to find sufficient food.

The Pickerel Weed is in full bloom in the Emeralda Marsh.  There are huge expanses of this beautiful marsh plant visible from the wildlife drive.  We have some growing in a small pond in our garden and it will spread like wildfire.  It attracts butterflies and even hummingbirds will make a brief stop at the blooms.

Two Coots

The coots are still out at Emeralda Marsh although in smaller numbers than a few weeks ago.  That may be due to the increased water level giving them more room to spread out in this huge marsh.  We were at the marsh on Friday afternoon and saw a good variety of birds including more great blue herons than I've ever seen there before.  This is a great location to get some bird closeups while sitting in the drivers seat of your car.  Birds seem less spooked by the vehicle than they are by a person on foot.

This tricolored heron was hunting along the edge of a canal in the Emeralda Marsh.  The driving trail is opened on Fri - Sun but only for a little while longer.  The mild winter has left much of the vegetation intact and there are large stretches of the 4 mile drive where you can't see very much.  The water level appears to be up since the last time we visited a few weeks ago and there were numerous gators and wading birds visible in the open areas.  The pickerel weed is in full bloom and there are large expanses of them along the drive.  I'd recommend you take this drive before they close.  Information on Emeralda Marsh and other Lake County birding spots is available at http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/bird_watching/birding_spots.aspx

Female Grackle

It's not unusual in nature that the female is less colorful and just plainer than the male of the species.  This does not apply to humans.  This female Grackle was photographed at the Emeralda Marsh in Lake County Florida.  They are very adept at perching on swaying reeds or thin branches.  I find they are found in greater numbers than the males or perhaps the men are just staying home while the females go out and do female things. 

Barred Owl

I took this shot through the sunroof of my 4Runner.  The owl just sat and watched.  The light was a little tough due to the bright backlighting and the deep shadows.  I'm never disappointed in the photo because the real enjoyment for me is just seeing them.  This image was made on the wildlife drive at Emeralda Marsh.  This 4 mile drive is open for only a few months beginning in February and is a great place to see all sorts of wading birds, raptors, alligators and snakes.  Sandhill cranes will nest in this area during the winter months as well.  You can check it out for yourself at http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/bird_watching/emeralda_marsh.aspx