An Unplanned Break
While May is normally a great time for birding and bird photography, I ended up taking an unplanned break. After the spring migration blitz in April, I took a weekend off to recover and get some personal things done. Then I traveled out of state to visit family. Then I got sick. I was out of commission for a couple of weeks, and I am slowly regaining my strength.
Saturday I made a quick afternoon visit to Lettuce Lake Park. I took my time walking through the park, just enjoying being outside and trying not to overdo it. My first stop was the Nature Center. Typical backyard birds (Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Mourning Dove) were at the feeders. Also at the feeders was a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird. She would visit the firecracker plants from time to time, so I was able to get a nice shot away from the feeders.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 lens at f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 3600.
I then went to the boardwalk hoping to find a Prothonotary Warbler. The water level of the Hillsborough River was very low and receded away from the boardwalk. I did not find a Prothonotary, but another birder I met on the boardwalk told me they have been spotted recently.
The low water level concentrated the wading birds towards the center of the river. In one area I spotted two Great Egrets, a Limpkin, a Tricolored Heron, two Great Blue Herons, several juvenile Little Blue Herons in their calico phase, and about two dozen Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.
Great Egret. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 lens at f/6.3, 1/1250 sec, ISO 1000.
On the opposite bank from the boardwalk tower there were two Roseate Spoonbills - an adult and a juvenile. A couple in a canoe were photographing the adult which was a little further out. So I focused on the juvenile. He wasn’t doing much, but it’s always a treat to see a Roseate Spoonbill.
Roseate Spoonbill. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 lens at f/6.3, 1/1250 sec, ISO 800.
While walking the boardwalk I could hear lots of Northern Parula in the trees. Usually too high and deep in the thick marsh brush, I could never see one. Then I got lucky and one flew in close as it was chasing some bugs. He ended up perching on a branch close to me.
Northern Parula. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 lens at f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 2200.
Northern Parula. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 lens at f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 7200.
Next weekend I have a big birthday (the big 5-0) and plan on spending the weekend at Disney with friends. But I do know that the Black Skimmer colonies at St. Pete Beach are in full swing with lots of new chicks running around. Be sure to check it out if you can, or if you can’t, visit your local park like I did.
