These guys are noisy!
Frog
Tag: Lake Apopka
Heron in Flight
“The bluebird carries the sky on his back.” – Henry David Thoreau
Quote found at http://www.quotegarden.com/flying.html
Glossy Ibis
Argument could be made that this is a white-face ibis – I’m not sure. But the sun was perfect!!
Bird Monday
“Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.”- Jacques-eves Cousteau
Cattle Egret are an America success story. First arrived as immigrants from Africa in 1941 – breeding population by the early 50s. Fulfilling a niche in the ecosystem – not displacing something here already (at least not as I understand it).
Boat Tail
While I didn’t think it possible the population of grackles and red wing blackbirds may be larger at the Lake Apopka North Shore than at the Orlando Wetlands Park. Perhaps because this is reclaimed farmland. This guy is finished his molt and back to his handsome self.
Hiding
I’m not great with juveniles but I think this is a green heron. Judging from the facial features.
Twisty
“I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the “lower animals” (so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of man. I find the result humiliating to me.” – Mark Twain
Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drive is an 11 mile drive through a rich wetlands and upland habitat. Very lovely and lots of places to stop for walking or pictures.
Young Gallinule
Young Common Gallinule. I dislike the term common and prefer to call them moorhens as there is nothing common about these birds although they are abundant. This guy will grow up to have black feathers and an orange bill/shield.
Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drive
“It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.” – Ansel Adams
Lake Apopka is the 4th largest lake in Florida and a recovery miracle. It was virtually dead in the 1980’s when it was declared an environmental super fund site after a massive pesticide spill. This was just the final nail after years of draining wetlands and farming. Now a lot of the former farmland has become the North Shore Management area that is now a functioning wetlands used to filter lake water and return it to the lake. More about the newly opened wildlife drive tomorrow.
Picture This by Frank 