Tuesday, February 22, 2011

FL - La Sagra's Flycatcher - 02/12

La Sagra's Flycatcher - Bill Baggs/Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade Co. FL. February 12th, 2011. Images taken using Canon Powershot A495 hand held with Swarovski telescope.






Located by Huig Ouwehand and Bob Bailey after a morning of rain and showers, actually the only wet morning of our two-week trip. This wintering bird is likely the same as this bird http://pioneerbirding.blogspot.com/2010/03/fl-sunshine-birds-part-iii.html which wintered at the exact same location last year. It was associating with a reasonably large feeding flock including Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos, Northern Parulas, Black-and-White Warblers, Palm Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.

Yet another highlight of a fabulous two weeks in the Sunshine State.

FL - Mangrove Cuckoo - 02/17


Well, after hearing a few tantalizing calls on Sugarloaf Key on February 15th, I just didn't expect this - a Mangrove Cuckoo, oblivious to tens of admirers and passers-by as it fed by the main wildlife drive at 'Ding Darling' NWR on Sanibel Island, FL. I'd almost given up hope that Mangrove Cuckoo could be a serious consideration in winter, but this bird proved otherwise. What a cracker!















Tuesday, February 8, 2011

FL - Black-headed Gull - 02/08


Black-headed Gull - adult-type, Daytona Beach Shores, Volusia Co. FL. February 8th, 2011. A lovely find on the very first day of the Birdfinders tour of Florida. Images taken using Canon Powershot A495 hand held through Swarovski HD telescope.