Watch Out For That Common Moorhen!

While trying to relax with a book as a means of escaping the horrible, upsetting, sad news about the children being pulled away from their parents along the southern border, I became distracted by lots of screeching outside my patio, right in front of me.

The Common Moorhen, one of Florida’s popular and very aggressive, territorial  birds, was chasing away a White Ibis.  The Ibis apparently believed his life was on the line.

White Ibis

Common Moorhen

It didn’t matter that the Ibis was 3 times the size of the Moorhen, and its beak was at least 10 times longer!

In the past, I’ve seen these Moorhens chasing away Great White Egrets and Great Blue Herons!

The littoral system that has grown over the years in size from its original builder-planted corner of the lake, to way past my property and past my neighbor’s as well, is the favorite nesting place of the Moorhens.

The pair of Moorhens have had their babies, and they have all disappeared weeks ago.  It was surprising that this one appeared late in the season.

 

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The Screeching Wetlands Bird: Limpkin

 

No, it doesn’t limp.  I don’t know who might have named this bird; however, it’s in my handbook of favorite Florida birds, so I guess that is its official name.

All my neighbors, including myself, call it the “screecher.”  That’s what it does:  screech.  It’s not a pleasant sound to wake up to in the early morning.  What really scares the daylights out of you is when you’re outside and one of these 2-feet-tall birds flies over your head and screeches at you and nearly gives you a heart attack!  That isn’t a far-fetched notion:  most of my neighbors are “way up there” senior citizens.

 

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Great Blue Heron Ambulation

 

I was fortunate to catch this gangling Great Blue outside my bedroom window one morning.  They are named appropriately, for sure.

 

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Great White Egret And The Wind

 

It was a windy day, a few months ago (probably March – even in South Florida, we get lots of wind during that month), and I caught up with that elegant bird via camera.

To enlarge the photos, click on them.

Normally, when the egret is standing still or walking slowly in his relaxed gait, you cannot see the exquisite special feathers lurking among the others.  The breeze moves them and we are given some eye candy:  hidden feathers caught up by that stirred wind.

The breeze was getting stronger, and you can easily see the forward movement of the littoral grasses.

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A Group of White Ibises Had a Meeting…

 

…in my backyard.

Ibises are considered endangered, so it is a real treat to see them on occasion.  Sometimes, I see them gathered in the middle of the street, clacking away to each other while making a decision as to where they want to fly to next.  As I drive down the street, I stop and wait for them to make up their minds.

If you would like to see great photos of other kinds of Ibises (there are many subspecies of various colors), click on this link.

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Meet Mr. Great Blue Heron

 

The most beautiful of all the large tropical birds makes his appearance occasionally along the edge of the lake behind my house.  I was so excited to be able to take these latest photos through my bedroom window yesterday morning.

They are poetry in motion.  They are very graceful, given their size, and they walk with a regal gait.  You can’t help to take notice when these birds appear.

 

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First Winter Sightings of Ducks on My Lake

It’s always a thrill to see the birds starting to flock on the lake.  I was able to see only lone ducks this time – but, I’m sure – others will soon follow.

Have You Heard About The Owl And The Pussycat?

This gallery contains 4 photos.

Originally posted on Pussy Cats 3:
Well, if you have or have not, here’s a new version: (Left-click on the first photo to enlarge and view in gallery.) Photos from http://www.facebook.com/JordanJansenMusic/

An Unusual Pet Family

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Originally posted on Pussy Cats 3:
Today’s post is not about my three cats.  It’s about a young Brazilian man who has accumulated his pet family which consists of one golden retriever, one hamster and eight birds.  The absolutely star of…

The Bluejay Paid A Surprise Visit

 

I was surprised to see this Bluejay:  I don’t think I saw one here – it’s quite far south for this bird.  Now that I think about it, I did hear something about the coming winter being quite cold – colder than in the past.  Will the appearance of the Lonesome Dove (in the last post) and this Bluejay prove that forecast to be correct?  We will see.

I didn’t wake Rusty to take a look at the Bluejay. I won’t tell him what he missed!

I was quite excited to catch the silhouette of the Bluejay on the Robellini Palm tree.

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