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