Birds ~ Birds ~ Birds

Egyptian Geese

These geese are a little out of their element here in South Florida! I believe this is a mother, father and 4 chicks (I say that because I saw them weeks earlier when 4 of them were smaller than the other two). I think it is unusual for there to be a breeding pair where I saw these in Florida.

There's no mistaking that face!

The above photos were taken on 06/26/2012.

This is an earlier photo of the same geese (taken on May 1, 2012). Unfortunately, it's a cell phone pic and not very good; but, it does appear to be a family.

Baby Bald Eagle

I was very excited today to finally see this baby bald eagle. I had been out to this eagle's nest on a couple of prior occasions, but only saw the adults. Today, there was an adult on the nest, and one on the branch above the nest. At that time, the eaglet was either sleeping or was way down in the nest. In a few minutes, the adult on the branch flew into the nest, then flew out. After that, the eaglet was visible.

This adult remained on the nest for a while.

This adult was on the branch above the nest.

Evenutally, both adults were on the nest.

Then, one adult flew to a nearby tree.

The eaglet is SO cute!

Bald Eagle on Nest

Kestrels

Outside Everglades National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (N.D.)

Raptors!

I saw both these beauties a little south of Salt Lake City, Utah.

South Carolina

Florida Keys Hawkwatch

The Florida Keys Hawkwatch is dedicated to promoting the appreciation and conservation of birds of prey by committing to the long-term study of their migration through the Florida Keys.

For the past two days, I have had the extreme pleasure of helping count migrating raptors alongside Rafael Gálvez and Jim Eager at Curry Hammock State Park in Marathon, Florida. Before yesterday, I had only seen 2 Peregrine Falcons. Yesterday, in only a few hours, I saw 163! I also saw Kestrels, Bald Eagles, Hawks, and many more birds. Words cannot describe what an amazing experience this was for me. Rafael and Jim are the most dedicated and skilled researchers I have ever met.

If you ever find yourself anywhere in the Florida Keys (between September 15th and November 13th), stop by Curry Hammock State Park and watch this amazing group spot and identify these birds; you will be both inspired and enlightened.

For further info, go to the Florida Keys Hawkwatch website:
http://floridakeyshawkwatch.wordpress.com/

Just a few of the many, many birds I saw . . .