Here and There

May 10

Over the next few weeks spring migration will slow down and soon come to an end. Not that it has been very fast in the first place. Florida’s 2026 spring migration, at least here in the Tampa Bay area, has been quite slow. A few sightings here and there, but neither I nor any of the other bird photographers I follow have found a honey hole of spring migrants. Usually Fort De Soto Park is a good spot, but not this year. But that’s OK, that’s birding.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been to De Soto three or four times, visited Lettuce Lake Park (LLP) in north Tampa about the same number of times, and hit a few other spots as time away from work allowed. It’s been quiet. It’s also been dry.

With weather so dry, the Hillsborough River is low and the shallower parts of Lettuce Lake are dried up. The boardwalk at LLP normally takes you through a riverside marsh. Now it’s just dry land. Summer rains can’t come soon enough.

Northern Parula are still in the trees at LLP. Yesterday I saw or heard about a dozen, and even saw a young fledgling perched deep in the foliage as the parent would occasionally fly in to feed him. I tried to get a shot, but the dense foliage and shade made the photos unusable. Good cover for the bird though.

For the last few weeks a male Prothonotary Warbler has been the star of the boardwalk. He must know when I’m coming though, because that’s when he decides to go deep in the brush and sing his little heart out. No amount of coaxing can will him out for a photo.

The best spot at LLP has been the water fountain at the Joel Jackson Nature Center. A wide variety of songbirds take a dip in the water to bathe and get a drink of fresh water. On one hot, sunny afternoon there was several Northern Parula and a Yellow-throated Warbler taking turns at the fountain.

**Northern Parula.** Taken at Lettuce Lake Park on 26 April 2026. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 450.

**Northern Parula.** Taken at Lettuce Lake Park on 26 April 2026. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400.

**Yellow-throated Warbler.** Taken at Lettuce Lake Park on 26 April 2026. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 450.

On Saturday, May 2, I led a field for Tampa Audubon Society out to Fort De Soto. Unfortunately, it was very quiet. We didn’t see any migrants, other than a couple of Great-crested Flycatchers. It was windy and there were lots of Magnificent Frigatebirds gliding overhead. Here is a photo of a female, as indicated by her white chest.

**Magnificent Frigatebird.** Taken at Fort De Soto Park on 02 May 2026. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm 6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/3200 sec, ISO 560.

Yesterday I returned to De Soto and again struck out with the migrants. Another birder told me she saw a couple of Indigo Buntings near the fountain, but I didn’t see them. My last stop was the East Beach picnic area where I happened to come across a small family of Loggerhead Shrikes.

The young juveniles were doing really well for themselves as they flew down from their perches on low branches, picking up bugs in the grass. On one such flight, a juvenile landed in the grass and stayed there for a while. Something definitely caught his attention as he hopped around his prey in the grass. I looked in the camera and at first couldn’t tell what he trying to get. Finally I could barely see what it was through the grass - a small little crab. After about 5 minutes he left the crab alone, but it was fun to watch a juvenile bird figuring out new things in his environment.

**Loggerhead Shrike.** This juvenile bird was absolutely puzzled by a little crab in the grass. Taken at Fort De Soto Park on 09 May 2026. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm 6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/1250 sec, ISO 900.

We’re at that time of the nesting season where all the young birds are leaving their nests and are figuring out how to fly and forage for food. Here is a youngster pleading for the insect that his sibling caught. His sibling did not share. lol

**Loggerhead Shrikes.** Two juvenile siblings, one successful in the hunt, the other cries for a bite. Taken at Fort De Soto Park on 09 May 2026. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm 6.3 VR S lens at f/11, 1/1250 sec, ISO 3600.

**Loggerhead Shrike (juvenile).** Taken at Fort De Soto Park on 09 May 2026. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm 6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/1000 sec, ISO 720.

**Loggerhead Shrike.** Taken at Fort De Soto Park on 09 May 2026. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm 6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/1000 sec, ISO 320.

Lastly, I’ll end with this Summer Tanager I photographed while writing this post. I heard its characteristic call and he was in a tree right outside of my window. Sometimes you don’t have to go very far.