Happy May Day

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Butterfly – Lori Wilson Park – April 2015
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Yum Flowers – Lori Wilson Park – April 2015

“Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun” – Kahlil Gibran

While we don’t celebrate this here – I think we should! Bring out the maypoles. Perhaps we could replace Cinco de Mayo with this day. Then celebrate Mexican independence in September.

Quote found at http://www.egreenway.com/months/monmay.htm

Variety

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Feeding Time – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015
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Speaking of Eating – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015

Two wood Storks, a spoonbill and an ibis. The spoonbills were hunted to near extinction in the early 1900’s. Their feathers were prized for women’s hats. By the 1930’s there were 30-40 known breeding pairs in Florida. They have made a great comeback.

Speaking of comebacks the wood stork has “graduated” from endangered to threatened!

Second picture is an anhinga after just spearing his dinner.

Eagle

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Eagle – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015
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Eagle Profile – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015
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Eagle on a Snag – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015

“The eyesight for an eagle is what thought is to a man” – Dejan Stojanovic, Serbian Poet

The eagles talons, eyesight, and beak are formidable however the sound it makes is somewhat weak. Listen at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/sounds

Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/eagles

Sun Up

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Predawn – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015
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Postcard Anyone – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015
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There it is! – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015

I took my wide angle lens out for a walk last Saturday. All my other dawn pics have been with a telephoto – hopefully you can get some idea of the size with these. And I didn’t miss any good bird pics on the way.

However an important tip, if you bring a lens case with a belt attachment — wear a belt!

Wattoola

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Wattoola – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015
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Young-un – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015
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Hey – Orlando Wetlands Park – April 2015

“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!” – Albert Einstein

Wattoola is the native American name for the bird – specifically Creek indians – from William Bartram’s Travels.

It is interesting the way Sand Hills and their young hang out together – mom, dad, and babies. As spring progresses I will be interested to see if other birds mimic this behavior. Ducks follow mom, but dad’s not usually around.

Quote found at http://www.quotegarden.com/family.html