Have you ever seen a Yellow-headed Blackbird? Well, I hadn’t either. Even as an experienced birder, I had to be shown these cool birds and where to find them. I couldn’t believe it, and they were right under my nose all the time!
Even as a kid I loved seeing birds of prey. I gave reports in grade school and could identify most raptors in the Midwest area where we lived. The ultimate prize, however, was the American Bald Eagle that was never to be seen. In fact, pesticides, poisons, DDT, and rampant hunting brought these magnificent birds to near extinction.
The question is, can the birds, the people, and the environment all get along? Florida’s exotic environment is a delicate treasure that requires good care and some common sense.
….. is true Art from the Heavens, the Cedar Waxwing. These special birds don’t have a lot of splashy color, but their unique markings make the Waxwing one of the most favored birds to watch and photograph.
Somebody has always seen more and knows more about the day’s sightings than somebody else! I was the least experienced at the time, so I was the most doubted! These back and forth debates happen at all levels.
The snowy owl is certainly among the most majestic birds of North America, and rightfully so! With a length up to 28 inches, and a wingspan of 54-66 inches, the snowy owl is one of the largest owls in the world. These Arctic birds are unmistakable in their beautiful white plumage.
Sometimes I feel like Bill Murray in “Caddyshack” where he is obsessed with getting rid of that aggravating gopher. Well, I’ve got squirrels! They’re smart and determined. They can leap ten feet in a single bound. They can climb straight up a steel shepherd’s hook to violate any feeder within reach.
The American Kestrel is the smallest of the falcon group in the U.S. and is certainly the most beautiful. These dramatic birds are common to most birders, but otherwise, not commonly known to the many. This is easily the case for lots of small and colorful birds that simply look like an ordinary mourning dove or blackbird on the wire against a bright sky.
Today’s technology has brought so many improvements to our everyday lives and activities. This clearly includes birders. High tech cameras inside bird houses, binoculars that let you see at night and contain cameras for spectacular photos, cell phones and more.
I have many favorite birds, but I’ve got to top my list with the Swallow-tailed Kite. If you’re visiting Florida, watch for these flashy birds flying over the road at treetop level. Impressive!