A Lifer at Big Lagoon
Jonathan Hoiles Jonathan Hoiles

A Lifer at Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon State Park was a 15 minute drive from Blue Angel Park so I went there in search of birds. According to eBird, there were some recent sightings of Hooded Mergansers and Loons at the park, so that’s what I went there to find.

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Birding Aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Jonathan Hoiles Jonathan Hoiles

Birding Aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville

If you are able to go aboard a military installation, then let me recommend that you look for birds aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville. Like many military installations, it contains a number of habitats that are fantastic for birds and other wildlife.

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Field Notes from Fort De Soto
Jonathan Hoiles Jonathan Hoiles

Field Notes from Fort De Soto

Saturday morning there were about a half dozen Roseate Spoonbills on the beach. I only had about 3 to 5 minutes with them before a guy with a beach trolley came by and spooked them away. I managed to get off a few shots but certainly wish I had more time.

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This Little Bird Helped Convict a Spy
Jonathan Hoiles Jonathan Hoiles

This Little Bird Helped Convict a Spy

A bright yellow bird, the Prothonotary Warbler is near the top of every bird photographer’s list when out and about in wooded swamps, especially along river banks. It was near the banks of the Potomac River where spy Alger Hiss saw a Prothonotary Warbler…

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A Tough Little Piping Plover
Jonathan Hoiles Jonathan Hoiles

A Tough Little Piping Plover

Over the holiday weekend I visited Fort De Soto Park. So did about a million other people. Too bad I was the only one who made friends with this little Piping Plover.

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Chicks and Gators at St. Augustine
Jonathan Hoiles Jonathan Hoiles

Chicks and Gators at St. Augustine

On May 20th, I took a trip to St. Augustine to visit the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and other birding hot spots in the area. I previously posted pictures of the Least Terns and Wilson’s Plover from a beach excursion at Anastasia State Park but have been remiss in posting the Alligator Farm photos. At the Alligator Farm I was pleased to find Tricolored Heron, Great Egret, and Roseate Spoonbill chicks.

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Beautiful Birds at Fort De Soto
Jonathan Hoiles Jonathan Hoiles

Beautiful Birds at Fort De Soto

The same day I photographed the cute little American Oystercatcher chicks at Fort De Soto, I also photographed a few other beautiful birds in the park. It started with an immature Little Blue Heron.

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An American Oystercatcher Chick
Jonathan Hoiles Jonathan Hoiles

An American Oystercatcher Chick

For the past couple of weeks I have been seeing photos on Facebook of American Oystercatcher chicks at Fort De Soto Park. This weekend I finally had time to run down to De Soto to see these chicks for myself. I wasn’t the only one.

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