Frank Shufelt's photostream  

The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a tyrant flycather that is found in woodlands of the eastern and central North America, USA and Canada. In winter migration south to Mexico.

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA.

I found this male Painted Bunting at Dinner Island Ranch on January 1, 2011. Then almost a year later on December 25, 2011, I photographed him again when he and his mate returned to the same group of Live Oak and Palmetto Trees. On January 22, 2012, I went back to that same location and sure as can be the pair was there to greet me again. The male came in very close and was not bothered by my presence so long as I remained in my auto. Although he was close it was difficult to get him in the clear because while foraging for seeds he was always behind leaves and branches . Finally he appeared in the clear for a few shots.

I am fascinated by the habits of this pair and it will be interesting to see if they return to the same group of live oaks during winter migration next year.

Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area, Hendry County, Florida, USA.

There are a few hundred Black-bellied Whistling-ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) residing at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida, US, and they're always amusing and fun to watch. They may be perched in a tree or sitting on the ground when suddenly a flock of 10 or 20 take to the air and fly in circles and then return to where they began their flight.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) is a very small songbird that inhabits deciduous woodlands in North America. They are not too shy therefore getting close is not difficult, but they are very active and fast moving making them a bit of a challenge to photograph.

Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, Polk County, USA.

This Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias) caught my attention because it was noticeably different from other GBHs. It lacks the white crown, the body plumage is a darker blue-gray and the legs are dark colored. These are the normal markings of a Juvenile Great Blue Heron.

Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, USA