natural wonders photography's photostream

Brandon bird rookery

Hope everyone has a great week-end. Explore May 13--#237 (highest position)

I posted a texturized version of this image, and it was unanimous that the texture was a BIG mistake! I moved the original up from the back of the stream and the (now deleted) texturized version is at the end of the 2nd page of comments on this image. Sorry I lost all the helpful and honest opinions of my very wise Flickr friends :-)

The colors and plumage on this bird are amazing to me--except in breeding season, their bills vary in color from dark on top and yellow beneath, to gray at base and darker at tip (as this one is). During breeding season the bills turn a brilliant aqua/turquoise color.

Tri-colors nest in large communities, often with other herons. They build platform nests with sticks Courtship involves circle flights, chases, and displays during which neck feathers, back feathers, and crests are raised..

This particular guy seemed perfectly content to be hanging out among the rocks and the marsh grasses.
Taken at Circle B Bar Ranch Reserve, Lakeland, Florida---cropped only

This anhinga was strutting his stuff--showing off those gorgeously patterned feathers to their full advantage. Nice when viewed on black
Everglades National Park, Florida. Anhinga Trail

This was taken on an overcast day on Longboat Key, Fl. The osprey had just landed on the tree and was looking intently out into the bay in search of a likely meal. Wish I could have caught him in the act of diving for his dinner, they are amazing to watch.
He is very handsome on black.

To all my contacts and friends, I am sorry I haven't been on more, other things are calling me right now. Just know that I haven't forgotten you and will catch up with your uploads asap. :-)

This magnificent great white egret in bold breeding coloring and plumage reminds me of a lovely bride on her wedding day. I hope you will enjoy the image as much as I enjoyed capturing it. Very nice when viewed on black.