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The random pictures of evilmike

Mar 12, 2012#1

evilmike

First up, a couple for Nick:

Apr 12, 2012#2

evilmike

Apr 12, 2012#3

PatrThom

I'm going with...leprosy?

--Patrick

Apr 17, 2012#4

evilmike

PatrThom said:
I'm going with...leprosy?

--Patrick

Nope. That's pretty much a normal Wood Stork.

Apr 17, 2012#5

evilmike

Quick picture from this morning

Apr 17, 2012#6

Ravenpoe

evilmike said:
First up, a couple for Nick:
View attachment 4868 View attachment 4869

Did anyone else reach for a pokeball?

Apr 17, 2012#7

sixpackshaker

Nice shot of history there Mike.

Apr 17, 2012#8

PatrThom

evilmike said:
Nope. That's pretty much a normal Wood Stork.

I was trying to guess at a theme for all the pictures posted up to that point.

--Patrick

Aug 30, 2012#9

evilmike

From this morning.

Sep 5, 2012#10

Yoshimickster

Nice pics man. I love the wood-stork especially, like he's lookin straight into my soul.

Oct 8, 2012#11

evilmike

Still experimenting with long exposures, sailboats, and rockets:

Oct 8, 2012#12

Dave

Where do you live that you got to see a rocket taking off this morning? Or was that an older picture?

Oct 8, 2012#13

evilmike

Dave said:
Where do you live that you got to see a rocket taking off this morning? Or was that an older picture?

It's last night's SpaceX launch of a resupply flight to the space station.

The picture is from about 30 miles south of the launch pad (which gives you some idea where I am). I would have tried for a closer vantage point, but the weather only had a favorable probability of 60%. Those sort of probabilities usually end up as "launch scrubbed followed by rain on the way home."

Oct 8, 2012#14

Dave

I was unaware they were still doing this in the US. I know deep down that we still have a space program (the Mars mission is a good example) but it just...feels dead.

Oct 11, 2012#15

evilmike

Dave said:
I was unaware they were still doing this in the US. I know deep down that we still have a space program (the Mars mission is a good example) but it just...feels dead.

Unfortunately, the level of activity is not what it once was, but there is still some. This October is unusually active: a global positioning satellite, a ISS supply mission test, and a military launch at the end of the month.

Nov 4, 2012#16

evilmike

Dec 30, 2012#17

evilmike

Dec 30, 2012#18

Ravenpoe

That thing is totally staring down a pig.

Dec 30, 2012#19

Terrik

Out of curiosity, what kind of equipment are you using?

Dec 31, 2012#20

evilmike

Terrik said:
Out of curiosity, what kind of equipment are you using?

Right now I'm using an old Fuji "bridge" model camera, the s100fs.

Jan 1, 2013#21

jwhouk

I don't like Cardinal very much.

For obvious reasons.

Jan 2, 2013#22

Terrik

evilmike said:
Right now I'm using an old Fuji "bridge" model camera, the s100fs.

Using the standard lens, or do you have others?

Jan 2, 2013#23

evilmike

Terrik said:
Using the standard lens, or do you have others?

It's actually an all-in-one camera -- there isn't a way to change lenses.

Feb 8, 2013#24

evilmike

Jul 21, 2013#25

evilmike

Jul 21, 2013#26

Bowielee

What kind of camera do you use?

Jul 21, 2013#27

evilmike

Bowielee said:
What kind of camera do you use?

The last two pictures are on a Canon 60D with a 70mm-300mm lens. (I'm still trying to work up the learning curve on that camera.)

The earlier pictures were done with an old Fuji s100fs. It's a pretty good bridge camera, but it does have a number of quirks.

Jul 21, 2013#28

PatrThom

evilmike said:
View attachment 11453

Forever anole?
Forever aloe?
Dammit, I know I'm close...

--Patrick

Jul 21, 2013#29

evilmike

PatrThom said:
Forever anole?
Forever aloe?
Dammit, I know I'm close...

--Patrick

How about an anole alone on the aloe?

Jul 21, 2013#30

Bowielee

PatrThom said:
Forever anole?
Forever aloe?
Dammit, I know I'm close...

--Patrick

Aug 4, 2013#31

evilmike

Sep 2, 2013#32

evilmike

Sep 24, 2013#33

evilmike

Sep 24, 2013#34

Terrik

I desperately want a higher end Camera. My cannon 550D isnt BAD...it...it just can't do some things that I want it to.

Sep 24, 2013#35

evilmike

Terrik said:
I desperately want a higher end Camera. My cannon 550D isnt BAD...it...it just can't do some things that I want it to.

What sort of things would you like to do?

Oct 13, 2013#36

evilmike

Oct 13, 2013#37

Bowielee

Would you mind if I used some of these for wallpaper on my computer and/or iPad?

Oct 14, 2013#38

evilmike

Bowielee said:
Would you mind if I used some of these for wallpaper on my computer and/or iPad?

That would be great -- please do.

Nov 17, 2013#39

evilmike

Nov 17, 2013#40

Krisken

Fantastic pictures, Mike!

Jan 13, 2014#41

evilmike

I find that black vultures are often a source of mystery. It isn't that they are particularly cryptic in and of themselves. It's their coloration. Since they have black feathers, a bald black head, black eyes, and a dark beak; they are effectively all silhouette. And since they often tuck their head in or hold it at odd angles, they are often fairly indistinct silhouettes at that. Often, I will spot a bird perched in a tree or on a pole with the sun at its back and start thinking of all of the possible birds that it could be, only have it turn out to be this living silhouette, the black vulture.
Sunday, as I was riding in the middle of nowhere, I spotted a large bird perched on a power pole. The sun was at its back, so all I could make out was its shape. My first thought was, "this has to be a black vulture, of course."
As I got closer, I started to have doubts. "The head just isn't right for a black vulture. Could it be a turkey vulture?"
I get closer. "Hmm. The head shape doesn't really work for either vulture. The beak looks too thick for a hawk. Crested caracara?"
I start to get a bit hopeful. Crested caracaras have been reported in the area, but I haven't seen any on this trip. They are striking birds and it would be a great opportunity, but there's a problem. "The head would work for a caracara, but that bird is huge. What could it be?"
I finally start to get parallel with the bird. The pole that it is on is now 10 yards away from me. The light has shifted enough so that I'm not just looking at a dark shape. I can now clearly make out the bright yellow beak and the pure white feathers on its head. I couldn't help but think, "Aha. American bald eagle. I guess that will have to do."
Fortunately, the bird did not hold the slow identification against me. It stayed on the pole and let me take as many pictures as I wanted. (Such as the 2 below)

Feb 2, 2014#42

evilmike

I had originally planned to follow up my bald eagle post with one that included pictures of black vultures. I wanted to demonstrate that I don't dislike vultures, in spite of how their silhouettes may occasionally mislead me. It's just that they are difficult to get good pictures of because of their coloration, and they are such a common sight in this area that I often don't think of trying to take pictures of them. My plan changed because of a couple of sightings that I had while I was out running errands last weekend. I happened to take notice of another ubiquitous bird -- the osprey.

There really isn't any reason I should fail to notice the osprey. They have distinctive markings. They catch fish and carry them off in their claws (thus the nickname "Fish Taxi"). They don't shy away from human areas. They make huge nests. They even hover -- about as close to posing for the camera as a bird can. It's just that I see them every day and they faded from my potential subject list. So, here are two birds that I happened to notice:

Oct 5, 2014#43

evilmike

I realized that I have been remiss in keeping this up-to-date. (After all, @Squidleybits can't have all the fun posting pictures!)

For the past few days, a different kind of bird has dominated my photography -- the Thunderbird. The Air Force's Thunderbird flight team performed yesterday and today for an airshow at the local airport. They also practiced for a couple of days prior to that. Even though the F-16 is a remarkably agile jet, it's still a jet (and I assume not being pushed to its operational limit during the shows), so a performance at an airport is really a performance for the entire area around the airport. I have seen multiple flyovers at work and at home, both miles from the airport in different directions. Today, I split the difference -- I went to a park halfway between work and home. It was a great vantage point, and I think I got some good pictures. The "inverted" picture really illustrates how good of a vantage point I had -- the original picture has enough detail to show that the plane is Thunderbird #6, assigned to Major Jason Curtis.

I also found time to bother one of the local birds (in this case an anhinga):

Oct 5, 2014#44

Squidleybits

Those are awesome! What lens are you using for these?[DOUBLEPOST=1412563604,1412563405][/DOUBLEPOST]You have some really fantastic photos here, I went back and enjoyed your whole thread

Oct 5, 2014#45

evilmike

Squidleybits said:
Those are awesome! What lens are you using for these?

Most of my telephoto work is with a 70-300mm lens on a 60D. I normally leave the camera in shutter priority 1/400" with the ISO limited to 800 max. I usually leave the auto-focus on the center mark. Though, today I was manually pulling the focus because I was worried the autofocus wouldn't keep up.

Squidleybits said:
You have some really fantastic photos here, I went back and enjoyed your whole thread

Thank you kindly.

Oct 26, 2014#46

evilmike

Working through my picture backlog...

Here is another sequence from the airshow:

Nov 2, 2014#47

evilmike

I'm hoping to finish the airshow pictures as they Thunderbirds do -- with a big finale:

thunderbirds group of six 01 2014-10-05.jpg

Nov 11, 2014#48

evilmike

These are a series of related pictures that I took during my trip to Raleigh in August. The first three pictures are from a small park called "The Rose Garden". As would be expected, everyone goes there to take pictures of the flowers. Being something of a contrarian, I went there and took pictures of bugs.

Mar 14, 2015#49

evilmike

Happy Pi Day everyone!

Mar 29, 2015#50

evilmike

While waiting for the next group of airplanes to pass by thanks to the recent airshow, I decided to practice my aerial focus technique on a slower, though no less challenging, target:

Apr 12, 2015#51

evilmike

More pictures from the recent airshow:

Apr 20, 2015#52

evilmike

Another airshow picture:

Jun 18, 2015#53

evilmike

Experimenting with the "magic hour", when the sun is approaching the horizon and the sunlight softens and takes on a golden hue:

Oct 11, 2015#54

evilmike

I was experimenting with taking a picture of the full moon (and overexposing it in the process) when I caught a flash of lightning:

Experimenting with a "vanishing point picture" for a recent shooting challenge:

Oct 22, 2015#55

evilmike

Between the lines...

Oct 27, 2015#56

evilmike

Dec 6, 2015#57

evilmike

I didn't have any luck with today's launch. I did have some luck with the terns flying around the pier that I was on while waiting out the launch:

Dec 20, 2015#58

evilmike

Dec 20, 2015#59

Grytpipe-Thynne

What fantastic photo's Mike (Nobody who likes birds can be Evil!). I'm envious of your Camera, it beats my cheap and cheerful one. Birds and Aircraft, my favourite subjects but I have never taken any this good.

Jan 22, 2016#60

evilmike

Yesterday, I had the good fortune to find a herd of manatee (and pictures will be forthcoming). While I was taking pictures of the sea cows, a green heron decided to walk right below me on the embankment where I was taking pictures. I have to wonder if it was a little jealous that I wasn't taking pictures of birds and decided to show off to get my attention.

Jan 23, 2016#61

evilmike

One of the few times I am disappointed that an answer turned out to be entirely logical:

I looked up the collective noun used for manatee, hoping for something spectacular and unusual like a wake of vultures, a murmuration of starlings, or a murder of crows. Imagine my disappointment to find out that what applies to cows also applies to sea cows -- a group of manatee is simply called a "herd".

Feb 8, 2016#62

evilmike

Feb 13, 2016#63

evilmike

I recently learned about an unusual air plant. It's a type of tree, that has been introduced to Florida and looks similar to a rubber tree, called the Schefflera. It also has a number of interesting colloquial names such as the Umbrella Tree or the Octopus Tree. (Thank you, Google.) The fact that it can exist as an epiphyte - a plant that grows on another plant without harming it, or directly drawing subsistence from it, is quite surprising. The Schefflera that I routinely see in this area grow from the ground and can end up 30 feet tall or more. The reason I know the tree can exist in as an air-plant was because I found an example of it. The picture isn't that spectacular, but the plant itself certainly is. It's a ~18 foot tall tree growing out of the trunk of a ~35 foot tree. (The host tree isn't dead -- it's a northern species that doesn't understand Florida so it sheds its leaves for the winter.)

Feb 22, 2016#64

evilmike

Mar 21, 2016#65

evilmike

A bird showing off its golden slippers -- the snowy egret

Also, a bird showing off its ... three colors (?) The tricolor heron

tricolor heron at minwr 2016-02-28-01.jpg

Mar 22, 2016#66

sixpackshaker

I really need to start shooting the birds in my back yard. Just about every migratory bird makes a stop in my neighborhood.

Apr 8, 2016#67

evilmike

One of the main feeding strategies of the reddish egret is to cause as much as chaos as possible and then attack whatever prey is left dazed and confused in its wake. Here is a glimpse of an egret mid-ruckus.

Jun 8, 2016#68

evilmike

I wonder if the heron is imagining itself as the captain of the doomed vessel.

Jun 8, 2016#69

sixpackshaker

I wonder if he has a tiny human tied around his neck?

I know, wrong bird.

Jun 8, 2016#70

evilmike

sixpackshaker said:
I know, wrong bird.

That's ok. It encouraged me to look over the rare bird alerts for the area.

Jun 21, 2016#71

evilmike

Sea Oats at Dusk

Jun 21, 2016#72

Terrik

evilmike said:
Sea Oats at Dusk
View attachment 21327

Ah. Oats. Usually associated with sand spurs with me.

Jun 21, 2016#73

Dave

Yeah, I see oats. What about them?

Jun 21, 2016#74

Sparhawk

They're wild.

Jun 21, 2016#75

PatrThom

Sparhawk said:
They're wild.

That's the feeling.
And they're spreading.

--Patrick

Jul 27, 2016#76

evilmike

Beachcomber

Jul 28, 2016#77

Bubble181

evilmike said:
Beachcomber
View attachment 21702

*frantically throws Pokeballs*

Aug 3, 2016#78

evilmike

Bubble181 said:
*frantically throws Pokeballs*

So far, no one has been able to make that work.

Rise

Aug 15, 2016#79

evilmike

Tranquility

Oct 19, 2016#80

evilmike

Birds on a wire

three parakeets on a wire 2018-10-18-01.jpg

Oct 19, 2016#81

Sparhawk

evilmike said:
Birds on a wire
View attachment 22309

None of those look like Goldie Hawn! I am disappointed.

Oct 19, 2016#82

PatrThom

Sparhawk said:
None of those look like Goldie Hawn! I am disappointed.

Wow.
I've actually seen that movie.

--Patrick

Oct 19, 2016#83

Yoshimickster

evilmike said:
Birds on a wire
View attachment 22309

"So we're agreed, we strike at dawn."

What I feel is going in their heads.

Nov 20, 2016#84

evilmike

I wasn't able to get a picture of the GOES-R launch last night, but I did manage to get out today and get a few bird pictures. The first of which:

Great Blue Heron

great blue heron on post 2016-11-20-01.jpg

Jan 21, 2017#85

evilmike

Last night's Atlas launch

Feb 25, 2017#86

evilmike

An eagle and osprey, mid-disagreement:

Apr 2, 2017#87

evilmike

Over the Moon

Technically it's 'In the same general direction as the moon' but that's not as catchy.

Apr 6, 2017#88

evilmike

Breakaway

Jun 28, 2017#89

evilmike

osprey on light pole close up 2017-06-25-01.jpg

Aug 7, 2017#90

evilmike

Mourning Dove

Aug 27, 2017#91

evilmike

Sep 2, 2017#92

evilmike

Rose garden, take 2

Sep 2, 2017#93

PatrThom

You been getting into @Squidleybits' stash?

--Patrick

Sep 2, 2017#94

evilmike

PatrThom said:
You been getting into @Squidleybits' stash?

--Patrick

She doesn't mind as long as I stay away from IR stuff and long exposure night sky pictures.

Sep 4, 2017#95

Squidleybits

Start driving! Group night photo shoot

Sep 4, 2017#96

Squidleybits

evilmike said:
She doesn't mind as long as I stay away from IR stuff and long exposure night sky pictures.

The more the merrier

I'm loving the pink flowers! Keep them coming!

Sep 7, 2017#97

evilmike

Sep 19, 2017#98

evilmike

Sep 27, 2017#99

evilmike

Years ago, there was an advertising campaign promoting Florida tourism that proclaimed "the rules are different here!" I can't remember exactly which rules it suggested were different, though if I were to hazard a guess, I would think those rules involved how often you could go to the beach, ride on a roller coaster, or find a party. Today's picture is inspired by a rule the advertising campaign no doubt omitted -- "if you want to mow the yard, you must first move the frog."

Dec 5, 2017#100

evilmike

Dec 17, 2017#101

evilmike

Another bird from the bird park:

Jan 24, 2018#102

evilmike

Working through my backlog of pictures -- some pictures from a Chinese lantern festival:

Feb 11, 2018#103

evilmike

Cedar waxwings catching a moment's rest

Also, I recently posted some pictures over in the NASA/Space thread.

May 26, 2018#104

evilmike

Local livestock?

May 28, 2018#105

evilmike

Jun 24, 2018#106

evilmike

Jun 25, 2018#107

sixpackshaker

What a majestic derp.

Jun 29, 2018#108

evilmike

sixpackshaker said:
What a majestic derp.

That's the irony that is the osprey.

Jun 29, 2018#109

PatrThom

evilmike said:
That's the irony that is the osprey.

Not just the bird, either.

--Patrick

Jun 29, 2018#110

evilmike

PatrThom said:
Not just the bird, either.

--Patrick

True, true.

Unfortunately, I don't get that much of an opportunity to take pictures of that type.

Jul 20, 2018#111

evilmike

Sep 19, 2018#112

evilmike

Oct 14, 2018#113

evilmike

Oct 16, 2018#114

evilmike

Oct 22, 2018#115

evilmike

Red Shouldered Hawk

Oct 24, 2018#116

evilmike

More clearly showing of the red shoulder of the red shouldered hawk:

Nov 5, 2018#117

evilmike

Not everyone was as pleased to see the hawk in the neighborhood as I was. This mockingbird spent several minutes buzzing the hawk, trying to convince it to move on.

Nov 5, 2018#118

sixpackshaker

...and that is why the Mockingbird is the State Bird of 5 states.

Nov 5, 2018#119

evilmike

sixpackshaker said:
...and that is why the Mockingbird is the State Bird of 5 states.

It buzzes the legislature until it gets the nomination?

Nov 18, 2018#120

evilmike

Nighttime at the River

Dec 2, 2018#121

evilmike

An Impression of Fall

Jan 20, 2019#122

evilmike

Working through my backlog of pictures. First up, four birds from the Sylvan Heights Bird Park:

Feb 6, 2019#123

evilmike

The moods of a red shouldered hawk:

Serious:

Relaxed (or possibly "floofy):

Mar 17, 2019#124

evilmike

From last year's Chinese Lantern Festival:

Apr 28, 2019#125

evilmike

A new family

May 23, 2019#126

evilmike

snowy egret in the waves 2019-05-18-01.jpg

Aug 8, 2019#127

evilmike

Sailboats, taken during this morning's launch delay

Sep 26, 2019#128

evilmike

There appears to be an unusual symbiosis between anhingas and alligators. Alligators move into retention ponds, encouraging humans to put up warning signs, thereby giving the anhinga places to perch.

However, the birds have not entirely given up on more natural perches:

Oct 6, 2019#129

evilmike

Little Blue Heron

Oct 19, 2019#130

evilmike

Flight

Nov 17, 2019#131

evilmike

The Bird with the Golden Slippers

Dec 19, 2019#132

evilmike

Jan 8, 2020#133

evilmike

A Chinese merganser, a smew, and a mandarin duck, courtesy of the Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Jan 19, 2020#134

evilmike

Another picture from my backlog of Sylvan Bird Park pictures, a trumpeter swan:

Jan 29, 2020#135

evilmike

Another picture from my backlog of Sylvan Heights pictures. This time, it is one of their "poster bird species", the american flamingo.

Mar 8, 2020#136

evilmike

An opsrey at dusk

Mar 8, 2020#137

Sparhawk

That Osprey is like “I can see you watching me. I am not amused, creeper.”

Mar 8, 2020#138

PatrThom

I thought it was saying, "Fish? Got any fish?"

--Patrick

Mar 28, 2020#139

evilmike

Apr 3, 2020#140

evilmike

Apr 9, 2020#141

evilmike

Apr 14, 2020#142

evilmike

A small itch

Apr 24, 2020#143

evilmike

Scrub Jay

Apr 30, 2020#144

evilmike

Swimming in the Clouds

May 24, 2020#145

evilmike

Gopher Tortoise

May 25, 2020#146

Ravenpoe

evilmike said:
Gopher Tortoise
View attachment 34025

One of those lives in my back yard. It's lived here longer than I have

Jun 7, 2020#147

evilmike

Flowers Against the Sky

Jun 30, 2020#148

evilmike

Hawk at Dusk

Jul 10, 2020#149

evilmike

Black Skimmer and Puddle

Jul 10, 2020#150

PatrThom

It's like he's standing on a big LP.

--Patrick

Jul 10, 2020#151

evilmike

There was definitely something important about that puddle. A couple of times, a car drove through that section of the parking lot and the bird would fly, only to circle around and return when the coast was clear.

Jul 12, 2020#152

evilmike

Sunday Morning

Jul 13, 2020#153

sixpackshaker

I'd like to challenge our resident space nerd to photograph the comet. I'll try to stay up a little tonight and view it. It should be visible to the naked eye. But, my damned neighbors have security lights! in the country!

If I knew this comet was coming, I would have purchased an adapter for my old telescope.

Jul 13, 2020#154

evilmike

I will try. I had been trying to catch it in the morning, but the clouds have been an issue. That's why I ended up with a sunrise picture as a consolation prize.

I imagine end of this week is going to be optimal for viewing.

Sep 30, 2020#155

evilmike

Almost a tri-colored heron

Sometimes, birds have their own ideas as to when they are done posing

Oct 18, 2020#156

evilmike

Sometimes, finding a bird is simply a matter of looking "up" as is the case with this white ibis on a streetlight.

Oct 18, 2020#157

PatrThom

The fact that you live in a region with a wide variety of different bird-friendly habitats may have something to do with it, too.

--Patrick

Oct 18, 2020#158

evilmike

PatrThom said:
The fact that you live in a region with a wide variety of different bird-friendly habitats may have something to do with it, too.

--Patrick

True. Though, I think it also has to do with what birds are common here. White ibis is ubiquitous here. I've probably seen 40 of them this morning and I (mostly) wasn't looking for them. On the other hand, species that are common in other parts of the US, are rarities here. I never see blue birds or goldfinches for example. Heck, the American crow is considered enough of a novelty to make the rare bird alerts.

Oct 18, 2020#159

PatrThom

evilmike said:
True. Though, I think it also has to do with what birds are common here. White ibis is ubiquitous here. I've probably seen 40 of them this morning and I (mostly) wasn't looking for them. On the other hand, species that are common in other parts of the US, are rarities here. I never see blue birds or goldfinches for example. Heck, the American crow is considered enough of a novelty to make the rare bird alerts.

Heh. I think I saw that on reddit just a couple days ago, in fact.

—Patrick

Oct 18, 2020#160

evilmike

Oct 18, 2020#161

jwhouk

evilmike said:
View attachment 35872

Shoulda taken that opportunity to join everyone else down in Glendale, but noooo, I had to be the dummy who chose to stay up north. Grrr.

Oct 18, 2020#162

PatrThom

I'd swear I've see that exact same picture gracing a greeting card/candle/whatever.

--Patrick

Oct 18, 2020#163

evilmike

PatrThom said:
I'd swear I've see that exact same picture gracing a greeting card/candle/whatever.

--Patrick

I think cardinals and snow are a classic picture combo, especially if you can throw in a few berries.

You'll notice that my example "See? I can take pictures of cardinals too!" picture was obviously not taken anywhere near here.

Nov 27, 2020#164

evilmike

Mine!

I'm not sure what they were fighting over, but the caracara won the prize.

Dec 4, 2020#165

evilmike

Two hawks scanning the sky

Dec 4, 2020#166

PatrThom

Two hawks trying their best not to look at each other, more like.

--Patrick

Dec 5, 2020#167

evilmike

PatrThom said:
Two hawks trying their best not to look at each other, more like.

--Patrick

It could be worse...

Dec 20, 2020#168

evilmike

Little blue heron

Jan 3, 2021#169

evilmike

little blue heron at viera 2020-11-13-01.jpg

Jan 4, 2021#170

evilmike

Todays contribution to working off the backlog -- a snowy egret

Jan 24, 2021#171

evilmike

I had aspirations of a much longer ride and many more birds (and a rocket launch!) today, but the light rain that moved through the area had other ideas. Still, before I had to turn back, I was lucky to find a pair of red shouldered hawks and a limpkin.

Feb 4, 2021#172

evilmike

A Congregation of Ibises

Another congregation

Feb 5, 2021#173

jwhouk

University of Miami school reunion, I see.

Feb 5, 2021#174

evilmike

jwhouk said:
University of Miami school reunion, I see.

TIL that their mascot was an Ibis and not a pelican.

Feb 5, 2021#175

jwhouk

Last bird out of a Hurricane.

Feb 5, 2021#176

evilmike

jwhouk said:
Last bird out of a Hurricane.

I read some of that after I read your post -- that's really cool. I'll have to pay attention next time (which hopefully won't be for good while!)

Feb 6, 2021#177

evilmike

Not the Regular Osprey

It's not unusual to see an osprey perched on a dead palm tree across the street. This morning however, as I was heading out, I glanced over and realized that it wasn't the usual bird. Now,I don't have any special skill to tell one osprey from another. On the other hand, I am quite able to tell the difference between an osprey and a bald eagle.

Mar 7, 2021#178

evilmike

Still Not the Regular Osprey

Taken a few days after the first -- now with better light:

Ultimately, the eagle moved on, and an opportunistic starling claimed the perch:

Mar 9, 2021#179

evilmike

Brown Pelicans

Mar 14, 2021#180

evilmike

This loggerhead shrike is trying to look innocent...

even though I had just caught it trying to mess with my bike.

Mar 27, 2021#181

evilmike

Meadowlark

Anhinga

Mar 30, 2021#182

evilmike

Red winged blackbird

Mar 31, 2021#183

PatrThom

I can hear this picture.

--Patrick

Apr 1, 2021#184

evilmike

PatrThom said:
I can hear this picture.

--Patrick

Thank you.

One thing that I find fun about meadowlarks is that the sound to me like red winged blackbirds that are singing the notes out of order.

Apr 1, 2021#185

evilmike

Spoonbill in Flight

Apr 17, 2021#186

evilmike

Florida Scrub Jays

Apr 18, 2021#187

jwhouk

Oh, is that what the team from Toronto is calling themselves now.

Apr 25, 2021#188

evilmike

Woodpecker at Home

red bellied woodpecker 2021-04-23-01.jpg

May 9, 2021#189

evilmike

A Watchful Eye

red bellied woodpecker 2021-04-23-02.jpg

Today, I went looking for birds, and found this gopher tortoise instead. (I did hear a number of birds, but, for the most part, they were content to stay hidden in the trees.)

May 15, 2021#190

evilmike

A busy day

I spent part of the afternoon taking pictures of the jets performing at a nearby airshow, then went off to get a picture of the day's SpaceX launch, and somehow still managed to get a bird picture too.

May 16, 2021#191

evilmike

Today, in between pictures of jet aircraft, I was able to catch another type of flyover

May 22, 2021#192

evilmike

May 22, 2021#193

Ravenpoe

evilmike said:
View attachment 37931
View attachment 37932

"In The Heights" advertising is getting out of hand.

Jun 12, 2021#194

evilmike

Scrub Jay on Branch

Jun 19, 2021#195

evilmike

Yesterday was a pretty good day out:

Jun 29, 2021#196

evilmike

Today, I stopped by a beach access and walked over to "Peacock Beach" to see the launch. I didn't have any luck with the rocket, as the launch was scrubbed due to an errant airplane. Fortunately, I did have some luck finding a few of the beach's namesakes. They weren't actually on the beach, but nearby. In the space of 15 minutes, I was able to find 3 and heard several others.

Here is 1 of them resting in the shade:

peacock near the beack 2021-06-29-01.jpg

Sep 23, 2021#197

evilmike

I spotted a few birds while I was on my trip to see the rocket and barge, including this spoonbill.

Sep 26, 2021#198

evilmike

Oct 9, 2021#199

evilmike

Hiding in the leaves

Oct 9, 2021#200

PatrThom

Hard to see, maybe, but I bet you could HEAR her juuuust fine.

--Patrick

Oct 24, 2021#201

evilmike

A Long-tailed Skipper

Oct 31, 2021#202

evilmike

Loggerhead shrike

Nov 15, 2021#203

evilmike

Nov 20, 2021#204

evilmike

An Egret at the Waterline

Nov 26, 2021#205

evilmike

A bird to be thankful for -- in this case a cooperative red shouldered hawk

red shouldered hawk at three forks 2021-10-25-01.jpg

Dec 4, 2021#206

evilmike

An Osprey in the Morning Light

osprey in the morning light 2021-12-03-01.jpg

Dec 12, 2021#207

evilmike

I was only a couple of miles into the day's ride when I started thinking "even though there are suburban neighborhoods on both sides of the road, I usually have pretty good luck right here" and there, as if on cue, was a red shouldered hawk, ready for its closeup.

Jan 1, 2022#208

evilmike

Emergence

Jan 9, 2022#209

evilmike

Jan 9, 2022#210

Ravenpoe

evilmike said:
View attachment 40027

Hey a Florida gopher turtle. One of these lives on my property, I call him Fred

Jan 22, 2022#211

evilmike

Feb 25, 2022#212

evilmike

Tricolored Heron

Feb 25, 2022#213

sixpackshaker

Cool, I just drove by one in East Texas. I was happy, he normally flies away when I drive by.

Mar 26, 2022#214

evilmike

Annual Visitors

Mar 27, 2022#215

evilmike

More Visitors

In this case, white pelicans:

Apr 2, 2022#216

evilmike

Enjoying the Sunshine

baby alligator in the sun 2022-03-27.jpg

Apr 3, 2022#217

evilmike

Finally got a couple of pictures of one of the burrowing owls that live out at the local airport.

Apr 9, 2022#218

evilmike

Red-bellied woodpecker

Apr 24, 2022#219

evilmike

"Fuzzy"

May 10, 2022#220

evilmike

A little something for the nest

May 22, 2022#221

evilmike

Balancing Act

May 22, 2022#222

PatrThom

Blackbird singing in the dead of niiiight... :notes:

HALP SOMEONE GET ME DOWN FROM HERE HAAAALLLLLP

--Patrick

May 25, 2022#223

evilmike

A Small Disagreement

May 29, 2022#224

evilmike

Little Blue Heron in the Sun

May 30, 2022#225

evilmike

Got a little too close to my subject today...

Jun 5, 2022#226

evilmike

A Quiet Moment

Jun 19, 2022#227

evilmike

A Scrub Jay on a more traditional perch

Jun 19, 2022#228

jwhouk

Scrub Jays - aren’t their native habitat Buffalo?

at @blotsfan

Jul 24, 2022#229

evilmike

I saw a report yesterday that the short tailed hawks at Turkey Creek haven't started migrating yet and decided to see if I could track them down. They were wonderfully easy to find. I hadn't actually reached the sanctuary before I spotted two of them flying and calling. I was able to follow the calls and found one of them perched in a sand pine. I believe this is the chick that fledged earlier this year.

Aug 4, 2022#230

evilmike

Bonus picture from after the launch this morning

Aug 30, 2022#231

evilmike

A Limpkin by the Water

Sep 23, 2022#232

evilmike

A Balancing Act

Sep 27, 2022#233

evilmike

Egyptian Geese

Oct 3, 2022#234

evilmike

Pileated Woodpecker

Oct 16, 2022#235

evilmike

Crested Cara Cara

Nov 5, 2022#236

evilmike

After the Falcon Heavy rocket launch, I made a small detour with no more of a plan than "there's a bike path, I wonder where it leads". At the end of the path, I found a small park with a pond across the street. There I found 2 birds. The first was a tricolored heron, while, always a nice find, isn't all that unusual. The other was a brown wading bird. For just a moment, I wondered if I had spotted the ever elusive American bittern. That elusiveness made me reconsider. Bitterns prefer to wade near (and hide in) tall marsh grass, and there was none to be found here. That only left two likely suspects -- the night herons. The adult versions of the two species, yellow and black crowned, are easy to distinguish from one another, but the immature versions are another story. Ultimately, after double checking with my phone, I decided it was the stockier immature black crowned type. They aren't unusual for the area, but finding an immature one in bright sunlight, just 20 feet from a bike path was certainly a welcome surprise.

black crested night heron 2022-10-01-01.jpg

Nov 24, 2022#237

evilmike

Not quite a turkey

In truth, it's not even quite a chicken. It's just that, with how it was posed in the sunlight, it was obviously having a moment. All I could do was oblige with a photograph.

Dec 21, 2022#238

evilmike

A Limpkin with an Evening Snack

Dec 29, 2022#239

evilmike

Sandhill Cranes Relaxing

sandhills in front of fountain 2022-12-28-01.jpg

Jan 1, 2023#240

evilmike

In my travels, I am occasionally reminded of @ThatNickGuy ...

Jan 1, 2023#241

evilmike

A Scrub Jay to start the New Year

Jan 1, 2023#242

PatrThom

"'ey who you callin' a scrub?"

--Patrick

Jan 25, 2023#243

evilmike

A Gull in Focus

Jan 31, 2023#244

sixpackshaker

20 years ago it would be, "Gulls on Film!"

Jan 31, 2023#245

Sparhawk

sixpackshaker said:
20 years ago it would be, "Gulls on Film!"

My reference for that is over 40 years ago, 1981.

Feb 1, 2023#246

mikerc

Sparhawk said:
My reference for that is over 40 years ago, 1981.

That's what he said. Twenty years ago would be about 1981, I don't know what your crazy attempt to make me feel old by insisting that was 40 years ago is about but it hasn't worked.

Feb 1, 2023#247

sixpackshaker

Na early 2000s people were switching from film to digital. Gulls on Digital is not as catchy.

Feb 1, 2023#248

Sparhawk

mikerc said:
That's what he said. Twenty years ago would be about 1981, I don't know what your crazy attempt to make me feel old by insisting that was 40 years ago is about but it hasn't worked.

Hey, I don't know when everyone hears stuff. Wasn't attempting to make you feel old, Vanna White is 65, heck I don't even think I'm old and I've been married longer than Dave. There could have been a release of the song in 2003, John Larroquette is 75, but I didn't take the time to look it up.

TLDR: You're old, and so am I, but not as old as we used to think this age was.

Feb 1, 2023#249

PatrThom

--Patrick

Feb 20, 2023#250

evilmike

Sea Turtle

Feb 21, 2023#251

Bubble181

You mind my stealing that for a desktop background?

Feb 21, 2023#252

evilmike

Bubble181 said:
You mind my stealing that for a desktop background?

Not at all.

Need a bigger version?

Feb 25, 2023#253

evilmike

Last week, I was looking for a couple of types of birds that I did not find. However, I did not have the same difficulty with the brown pelicans.

Mar 24, 2023#254

evilmike

A Meadowlark Calling

Apr 9, 2023#255

evilmike

Great Blue Heron

Apr 16, 2023#256

evilmike

Royal Tern in Flight

May 7, 2023#257

evilmike

Something for the Nest

May 14, 2023#258

evilmike

For another nest...

scrub jay with nest material 2023-05-14-01.jpg

scrub jay with nest material 2023-05-14-02.jpg

Jul 2, 2023#259

evilmike

The Right Kind of Habitat

A Florida scrub jay perching in a recently burned area of the scrub sanctuary where it makes its home. Interestingly, the fire didn't cause any habitat loss. Instead, Florida scrub needs to catch fire every few years to maintain the biome and keep it from turning into a forest. The sanctuary maintains 4 different cells of scrub, separated by fire breaks, so they can set fire to one every couple of years to rejuvenate them. The scrub jays were taking advantage of this fire-cleared area. They were all over this cell, going about their business, hunting for bugs (and helpfully ignoring photographers.)

scrub jay against the burn 2023-06-30-01.jpg

Jul 2, 2023#260

PatrThom

I can't help but notice this scrub jay knows how to accessorize.

--Patrick

Jul 2, 2023#261

evilmike

PatrThom said:
I can't help but notice this scrub jay knows how to accessorize.

--Patrick

They are all pretty fashionable.

Jul 16, 2023#262

evilmike

Good morning!

Sep 16, 2023#263

evilmike

One unexpected side-effect of Hurricane Idalia was a sudden influx of American flamingos to the United States. The birds have made appearances as far north as Ohio and Pennsylvania. And even though Florida has a few accidental visitations a year from flamingos, it has never been in numbers like this. There have been multiple sightings, and some of those have been of as many as 50 birds. Unfortunately for me, almost all of the sightings have been over 150 miles away from here.

So far, the closest sighting that I have been able to manage is finding another type of pink bird -- the more common, and paradoxically less well known, roseate spoonbill:

Sep 26, 2023#264

evilmike

Even though ospreys are fairly common here, I still end up taking pictures of them with some frequency. There are two reasons for this. They're easy to find, but more importantly, they are masters of the dramatic pose.

Oct 9, 2023#265

evilmike

Reflecting

Oct 24, 2023#266

evilmike

A Pause before Chaos

The reddish egret's feeding strategy is to patrol the tidal flats, and when it thinks there is a potential meal nearby, it unleashes as much energy as it can in a short burst. It runs; it hops; it flaps its wings. It does anything it can to startle, confuse, and harass any small fish in its zone of chaos, ultimately making them easy prey.

Oct 29, 2023#267

evilmike

A Bird Tale

Every year, a few fork-tailed flycatchers get confused as they migrate between Brazil and Argentina and fly the wrong way. Ultimately, they end up in North America, often in Florida. This year, one of them ended up in Floridana Beach. It's a fairly obscure community (nestled between the equally unknown Melbourne Shores and Sunnyland Beach). The community does have one important detail however -- it's easy to get to. Some years, a flycatcher will visit the area, only to stay miles from the nearest public road. This year, not only is the area accessible, the flycatcher is amusing itself by flying between a county park and the state park right next door -- much to the delight of dozens of bird watchers. The only trick is figuring out which park the bird is currently visiting, or to be stubborn enough to stay in one spot until it eventually flies by. I caught up with the flycatcher on the road between the two parks. It flew right in front of me and perched on a wire just long enough for me to get a couple of pictures.

Other than its rarity, the flycatcher has one other feature that is noteworthy -- its tail is at least as long as the rest of its body.

fork-tailed flycatcher 2023-10-29-02.jpg

Nov 5, 2023#268

evilmike

Repurposed

I don't think this old dock can be used for its intended purpose. Fortunately, the pelicans have found a new use for it.

Dec 17, 2023#269

evilmike

Reddish Egret in the Surf

This was a pleasant surprise from a few weeks ago. I normally find reddish egrets in isolated areas, far from the crowds. Imagine my surprise when I spotted one going fishing in the surf, with all of the typical reddish egret energy (otherwise known as "zoomies"), near the surfers and swimmers at a popular tourist beach. It's off-season, so the beach isn't as crowded as it might be, but it was far from deserted.

Feb 18, 2024#270

evilmike

A couple of Spring visitors:

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Mar 25, 2024#271

evilmike

Pictures from my trip to the botanical gardens last weekend. It might be cheating slightly to take Spring-like pictures at a Botanical Gardens, but I'm happy with the results. Lucked into a bug in the second picture, which is a bonus.