Feb. 3, 2013 - Florida Photos - Part 1

Diana and I are staying on St. George Island again this year. It’s located in the middle of the Florida Panhandle right on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Large flocks of Redheads spend the winter in bays along the coastline. This pair was in a small pond on St. George Island. The one on the right is an adult male in full breeding plumage. The other one is a first year male developing his breeding plumage. The breast feathers are not fully turned to black and the head feathers are red, but not yet the deep red that is shown by the other duck. The rump and tail have not turned black yet, and the back feathers still show some of the light brown from the juvenile plumage.

RedheadmalesadultyearClipperBayGeorgeIsland20130106

Here’s an interesting study in plumage. These are all White Ibis but they are juveniles. Each one shows a different stage of molting into adult plumage. They start out mostly brown, like the one on the left with its head down. The middle one has already replaced some brown feathers with white ones. The one on the right is even further along; the head and neck are mostly white. Here’s a link to one of my bird galleries showing White Ibis in their adult plumage. http://www.earlorfphotos.com/Birds/Birds-3/5689244_sMmgBc#!i=350687422&k=9qpR8bQ

IbisWhitejuvplumagesMarksNWR20130115

This white bird is actually a juvenile Little Blue Heron. It changes from white plumage as a juvenile to dark plumage as an adult, just the opposite of the White Ibis above. Judging by its name, you might think it’s related to the Great Blue Heron, but it’s really a close relative of the Snowy Egret. Here’s a link to my bird gallery showing the Little Blue in adult plumage. On that page, you’ll also find a photo of a Little Blue transitioning to adult plumage. http://www.earlorfphotos.com/Birds/Birds-3/5689244_sMmgBc#!i=350681317&k=rQc4s49

HeronLittleBluejuvMarksNWR20130115

Most warblers leave the United States in the winter but not the Pine Warbler. Almost all of them spend the winter in our southeastern states. This one was photographed at Bald Point State Park in Florida.

WarblerPineBaldPoint20130119

Snowy Plovers are found year-round along the Gulf of Mexico coast. They are often overlooked because they are small (6 to 7”) and the color of their plumage blends so well with the dry sand found along the coastline. This photo was taken at St. George Island State Park.

PloverSnowyGeorgeIslandStateParkeast20130111

Fishing is popular at St. George Island State Park and there are receptacles made of white PVC pipe where discarded fishing line may be deposited. I found this tiny Green Tree Frog resting inside one of those PVC pipes.

FrogGreenTreeGeorgeIslandStatePark20130113