Mar. 29, 2015 - Florida Winter Photos-3

My friend John Murphy and I were birding in Tallahassee, Florida. We visited Fran Rutkovsky’s house because she had some Purple Finches coming to her feeders. Back home in Minnesota, Purple Finches are pretty common birds at our feeders. They are known to wander south in winter but it’s quite unusual to see them in Florida. The reddish tinge to its feathers indicates this is a first year male just starting to get his red adult plumage.

FinchPurplemaleFranRutkovskyshouseTallahassee20150221

Diana and I made our annual visit to the Gulf Specimen Lab in Panacea, Florida. They always have interesting sea creatures on display. This Sea Horse was one of several in their tanks.

SeaHorseGulfSpecimanMarineLabPanacea20150116

We also saw Hermit Crabs at Gulf Specimen Lab. These crabs don’t grow their own shells. Instead, they find the right-sized empty shell from some other sea animal. When the crabs outgrow their shells, there are always plenty of others to choose from.

CrabHermitGulfSpecimanMarineLabPanacea20150116

Salinas Park, near Port St. Joe, Florida, is one place we like to visit. While we were there, I got some nice photos of this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. It’s a tiny bird, only 4½ inches long. It’s not common back home in Minnesota so I was pleased to see and photograph this elusive little bird.

GnatcatcherBluegraySalinasPark20150114

I also photographed this Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Salinas Park. At 4¼ inches, it’s even a little smaller than the Gnatcatcher. I’m always intrigued by the tan colored feet of this little bird.

KingletRubycrownedSalinasPark20150114

Every year some of the western species of hummingbirds make their way to Florida for the winter. This Rufous Hummingbird was visiting a feeder in Apalachicola, which is just across the bay from St. George Island where we stay.

HummingbirdRufousApalachicola20150225