Ospreys at Circle B Bar Reserve

We visited Circle B this weekend and found one of our usual trails closed due to alligator nesting activity.  So we decided on the trail down to Lake Hancock where we took refuge on a pier to escape the mosquitos.  The pier is covered to provide shade from the sun and there was a nice breeze blowing off the lake.  At any time you could count at least 20 Osprey in the air over the lake searching for fish.  The Osprey is also known as the Fish Hawk, a very appropriate name.

Photos are best viewed from the blog site and can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Looking for lunch

The Catch!

Now to find a perch for lunch

That was good....

This will be the last post from Circle B for some time.  I leave this week to spend August in Yellowstone, Teton and Glacier National Parks.  I hope to post a weekly update while traveling.

Thanks for visiting, and feel free to share with friends.
David

Reflections from Circle B Bar Reserve

I visited Circle B at sunrise Tuesday morning.  There wasn't much going on and most of the pelicans, spoonbills and storks were on the wrong side of the trail for the morning sunlight.  With little wind I did find several nice reflection shots to share with you.  Remember to "click" any picture to enlarge.

There are still some Black-bellied Whistling Ducks around the marsh.  This pair never moved while I was there.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

I've seen more Stilts this year than in years past.  I still have not been able to get one in flight but will keep trying.

Black-necked Stilt

Black-crowned Night-heron

This Great Blue Heron stood motionless for a long time.  This picture will be my Picture of the Week

Great Blue Heron

As always thanks for following my little blog and stop by my  website sometime.

Please visit my friend Steve Hinch's recent blog posting for some wonderful pictures of springtime babies in Yellowstone.  http://www.stevehinchphotography.com/blog

David

Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, FL

We visited Circle B at sunrise this morning to try to avoid the heat (94 here today).  We found a number of spoonbills still in the area but only a few remaining white pelicans.  Wood storks were everywhere but I've given up on trying to make one of them look attractive in a picture.  We did have a nice fly-by from one of the adult eagles and managed to capture several photos of him.  So here are some of todays best.

Roseate Spoonbill

Bald Eagle

Sand Hill Cranes

Please also visit my website.  These pictures can best be viewed from the actual blog site.  From there "click" on an image to enlarge.

If anyone would like to visit Circle B with us just contact me at ddouglas@tampabay.rr.com.    
Thanks for visiting.


All images appearing on this site are the property of the photographer and are protected by US and International copyright laws.

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