Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland, Florida

We visited Circle Bar B Reserve three mornings last week and had a great time each visit.  Our sightings included otters, barred owls, new sandhill crane colts, herons, egrets, pelicans and many more.  I was surprised to find a pair of new sandhill crane colts out on Wading Bird Way. Here are a few shots of them.  I especially enjoyed watching the little colt walk along the water's edge.

We were surprised to find at least fifty Roseate Spoonbills out along Wading Bird Way.

Of course a Great Blue Heron in flight is always spectacular.

Over the course of the three visits we found two adult Barred Owls and each had two young Owls from this year nearby.  This is one of the young ones.

Although the Reserve is in pretty bad shape from lack of water there is still plenty to see, so pack up the camera and get out there.

Don't forget to visit my new photo web site:  www.ddouglasphotos.com


Thanks for visiting,   David

New Photo Gallery

I'd like to invite each of you to visit my new photo gallery at www.ddouglasphotos.com . There are currently two galleries with some of my favorite photos from Yellowstone and local Florida wildlife.  While visiting please take a moment to sign the Guest Book.

Yearling  Yellowstone Wolf from 2011

Thanks, David

More from Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland, Fl.

Visited Circle B this morning with friend Bill Little.  We didn't have high expectations but were pleasantly surprised to see a wide variety of wildlife.  On first arriving we found the Sand Hill Crane family.  The little Colt is now about half of the adult size.  (remember to "click" an image to enlarge)

A little further up the trail we found a small Raccoon along the edge of the canal.

Next we found this Black-crowned Night Heron perched above the canal in almost perfect light.  This was a wonderful full frame shot, with no cropping.

As we scanned the marsh we spotted two adult Bald Eagles perched in a cypress tree near the center of the marsh.  This was taken with a 500mm lens and and 1.4X extension, for equivalent of 700mm. This is cropped about 50%.

When we reached Wading Bird Way we were surprised to find a group of about a dozen Roseate Spoonbills.  I usually don't have much luck with birds in flight but managed to get these two of the Spoonbills.

As we were leaving we noticed two VERY large gators moving around in the end of the canal.  We watched for almost an hour finally realizing they were swirling around to catch catfish.  Bill got the following great picture of the 14 ft. gator downing a meal of catfish.

Another great day at Circle B.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  David

Sand Hill Crane Update

As it turns out I will not be able to work in Yellowstone this summer.  Some last minute issues came up that will need my attention so will be enjoying the heat of summer in Florida this year.  We do still have a trip planned in August to visit Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

I visited the Circle Bar B Reserve this morning for the first time in a month.  My goal was to find the Sand Hill Crane family and see how the young colt is doing.  I did find the family below and watched the family feed in the marsh for over an hour.  The colt would be about 6 to 7 weeks old now.

(remember to click any image to enlarge)

ISO 400  f8 @ 250  700mm

ISO 400  f8 @ 250  700mm

This Black-necked Stilt was also in the same area.

As always thanks for visited.   David