Monday I made the short trip to both Paradise Pond and the Leonabelle Turnbull birding center. It’s always a surprise to see what birds are there — or aren’t there. Last week Paradise Pond was teeming with Great Blue Herons, Black-Crowned Night Herons, and Ibises. This week there were turtles. Lots and lots of turtles. It was a warm sunny day, and anywhere there was the slightest bit of a log protruding out of the water, there were more turtles! In case you’re interested, these are Red-Eared Sliders. In the third picture, you will see the tell-tale red marking on the turtle’s head. The largest ones are pretty close to the size of a dinner plate.
Then I made the 2-minute drive to the birding center. No big birds at all. From a far distance, I did see three of the Showy Egrets, and I saw one Tri-Colored Heron, also a little too far away. Lots and lots of ducks, just like last week. It was a calmer day, however, and with the bright sunshine, a lot of the ducks were taking a floating nap, like this Green-Winged Teal:
We sometimes see Moor Hens, but they are usually walking along the shoreline, in and out of weeds, and I haven’t been very successful in getting a good picture. Today this guy was having a nice swim:
And a picture of a Northern Shoveler:
The water was so much more calm this week, it made for some nice reflections. The next time I go, the weather, the birds, and the water will all be different. It’s always an adventure!
–Sue
