View to the west in December 2015 looks pretty much as it does today:
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View to the south from the entrance dock in 2012 reveals more open water than at present:
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Wood Storks are tactile feeders which benefit when their prey is concentrated in shallow water. Although they were common in December, 2014 when this photo was taken, high water levels at Chapel Trail during the next couple of years caused most of them to forage elsewhere.
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Great Egret and Wood Stork are seen hunting together in 2017. They both may benefit from this association. As a sight feeder, the egret may help the stork find concentrations of fish and other aquatic organisms. The stork stirs the water with its pink feet to scare them into its open jaws, at the same time exposing the fleeing prey to be captured by the watchful egret.
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Gray-headed Swamphen in December 2014. This introduced exotic species favors the flooded spike-rush prairies along the boardwalk:
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Killdeer often forage in the manicured grassy areas around the entrance to the preserve:
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We saw the American Bittern this year on our November walk. This photo is from December, 2012:
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Look for the bittern as it hides motionless in the reeds and sedges:
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Cooper's Hawk flying over in 2012:
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American Robins may be numerous in some winters, while we were lucky to find just one in December, 2012:
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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a common and very active tiny bird of the treetops (2012):
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The Little Blue Heron is a common sight unless there is high water (2011):
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The Prairie Warbler (2011) may be seen all winter, but in spring most move out to the mangroves along the coast to breed:
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Northern Mockingbirds are numerous. These two are engaged in a territorial dispute (2010):
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Red-shouldered Hawks nest in the preserve and are seen here all year (2010):
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The Merlin, a visitor from the far north, is reliably present most winters but this falcon seems to prefer wooded areas. One posed nicely on the fence next to the parking lot in December, 2008:
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Look for Pine Warblers in the native pines in the drier areas along the boardwalk (2016):
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The handsome Tricolored Heron is one of the most common herons at Chapel Trail (2017):
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Flocks of White Ibis will forage in shallow water and on the landscaped grounds (2012):
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A very unusual sighting was this flock of Mute Swans which flew over in December, 2015:
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A Loggerhead Shrike eating a caterpillar (2015):
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In 2011 we photographed a Sandhill Crane in the parking lot:
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This rather tame crane remained through 2012, but disappeared mysteriously in 2013:
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Chapel Trail Nature Preserve is not just about the birds. Check the flowering shrubs to see butterflies such as this Julia longwing male...
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...Zebra heliconian...
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...and White Peacock:
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Marsh Rabbit, 2011:
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A Swamp Lily in December, 2010:
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A close look at a "Crab Spider," or Spiny Orb Weaver in 2011:
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= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Linking to Misty's CAMERA CRITTERS,
Linking to Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS,
Linking to SKYWATCH FRIDAY by Yogi, Sylvia and Sandy
Linking to WEEKEND REFLECTIONS by James
Linking to BirdD'Pot by Anni
Linking to Our World Tuesday by Lady Fi
Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday by Stewart
Linking to Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) by NC Sue
Linking to ALL SEASONS by Jesh
Linking to Fences Around the World by Gosia
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Please visit the links to all these memes to see some excellent photos on display
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Great set of photos, love the swans in flight. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteGlorious photos - so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGood shots.
ReplyDeleteThe intensity of the Little Blue Heron is amazing! Wonderful collection of photos.
ReplyDeleteKenneth you have such a wealth of wonderful photographs to bring out and show us. I start off thinking i will pick a favourite but that is impossibly as they are all syperb. i hope you have a lovey weekend
ReplyDeleteBeautiful clear sky
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteHello Ken, looks like a great preserve. They are all wonderful birds and beautiful butterflies. I love the Bittern in Flight and the Swans. Cool capture of the Shrike. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful birds and wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteWe have so many 'critters' here in Florida! I always enjoy your photos to learn some I've been wondering about. We hiked yesterday and saw the Gnatcatcher...a first for us to ID. Hope you have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteSo many great birds here, but the Bittern pictures are amazing Ken.
ReplyDeleteHello Kenneth
ReplyDeleteI've looked at your pictures and I am very enthusiastic about the selection, the text I could only understand with the translator but what I understood was very well explained, Great pictures, beautifully described, I follow you now ... and watch over again
Greetings from Germany
Frank
LOVE the crane portrait!!
ReplyDeleteHey? Thanks so much for sharing this post & pictures with us at I'd Rather B Birdin
Wonderful shots! My favorites are the hawk and the flock of swans.
ReplyDeletewonderful selection. no, can't pick a favourite ;-), though choice.
ReplyDeleteThe crab spider is amazing - I've never seen one before. (or heard of one)
ReplyDeleteLiked the shot of the merlin in flight.
ReplyDeleteMany of these are unfamiliar to me, so I truly appreciate this post. Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/12/gangly-and-gorgeous-blue-heron.html
ReplyDeleteAbsolute great animal shots. Great area to explore.
ReplyDeleteI need to ride down and hike with you one morning!
ReplyDelete☺
Just a few of my favorites this week: the Bittern is amazing bird! Like the shorter beak of the wood stork (storks are very common in Holland).
ReplyDeleteAwesome angle of the neck of the little Blue Heron! The Mute Swans look like an Air Force formation - beautiful. Favorite of your butterflies this week is the Zebra heliconian -stunning!
Hope my comment got through!
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely critters! The birds are so colorful. The final spider is so unusual, too.
ReplyDelete