Sunday Stills: My Backyardigan Birds


Ed’s Sunday Stllls Challenge this week, Is ‘Birds’, and I currently have such a lot of bird pics which I’ve taken at nature reserves close by, but I’ll save those for another post, and just show you the regulars in my back yard.

When we got back to Florida a month ago, Mr Great Blue Heron was the only bird around here, and had the place to himself. Here you see him surveying his territory.

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It wasn’t long before his friend the Great Egret arrived back from his summer holidays up north, and started searching around the foliage for a few tasty tidbits.

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He didn’t find anything worthwhile in our garden, so decided to try next door where there are more hiding places for frogs and lizards.

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A not too frequent, but very welcome visitor, is this Wood Stork, who was just strutting over to start up a conversation with Mr Mottled Duck.

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Suddenly out of nowhere, Mrs Duck arrived to tell hubby it was time to leave, and off they went, sailing across the water.

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The other evening, a Common Gallinule was perched on the roof of our neighbours’ verandah. He was sitting so straight and still that he could have been mistaken for a weather vane.

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Today, as I was typing this post, a merry band of Snowys arrived to try their luck in the neighbours shrubs. I had to sneak this pic through the window, as they are very timid. Maybe that’s why they tend to go around in groups…….. safety in numbers.

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I’m not very good at photographing birds in flight, but I did manage to catch the Great Blue last night as it flew off across the water.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed my back yard birds. To see more entries for Ed’s photo challenge, just click here.

91 comments on “Sunday Stills: My Backyardigan Birds

  1. Florida does have the most beautiful birds.At least, I think so. I see these magnificent birds quite a bit as I live in a nature preserve. the caged lanai affords me lots of good close views but not the best photos due to the screening.
    Lovely shots …
    Issy

    • Hehehe. It seems that the birds here are very relaxed. They can stand like statues for ages, whilst I get them in focus. Very considerate of them. πŸ™‚

  2. I cannot imagine having these beauties just strolling around in my yard! The storks, egrets and the blue heron. Your photographs are very good. And, the heron in flight is superb. I really did enjoy seeing them, Sylvia! πŸ™‚

    • Thanks so much, George. That heron in flight photo was such a fluke. I was trying to take a photo of it on the bank, when it suddenly took off, so I lifted my camera and clicked, not expecting to even get it at all. πŸ™‚

  3. They are just gorgeous Sylvia and you’ve captured them so well hon! Love them all and thanks for sharing hon. πŸ˜€ *hugs*

  4. You have the nicest neighbours!!!

    β€œThe reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.”
    ― J.M. Barrie, The Little White Bird

  5. Gosh there are so many varieties where you live. I really like that heron photo and I always love the little ducks. It must bring back my memories of picnics and barbeques and other fun times by the lakes here in Australia I think.

  6. Wow Sylvia these are really good captures that first one is just outstanding so lucky to have them come to you instead of you having to go to them…

  7. complimenti! hai molti vicini graziosi ed eleganti, ed a parte qualche piccolo canto, neppure molto invadenti!
    bellissimo il tipo che fa da banderuola!
    un grande abbraccio
    Ventis

    congratulations! you have a lot of neighbors pretty and elegant, and apart from some small singing, even very pushy!
    beautiful type that acts as a weather vane!
    a big hug

    • Thanks so much, Ventis. I love reading your comment first in Italian and then the English translation. Maybe I’m learning something new. πŸ™‚ *hugs*

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