Beaver, Tits, Hairy Peckers and more

And now ... another raptor. This is the smallest falcon in North America. It is the American Kestrel.

I was able to get close to this one, it was at a show, and tied up. Otherwise, these little guys are tough to photograph ... fast, small and nervous.



As with most of our other North American falcons, it is identifiable by the "mustache", the black line coming down from under the eye. Above is a male, blue wings and head, more colorful than females. Below is a female.





They eat small mammals and insects mainly. They perch on trees, wires and poles to look for food, or they will hover in the air and look down for a meal.

Great pics Horni,

I've been trying to get some of a local pair of Red Tail Hawks,EDIT: success!!!

see below

I recently visited Florida. Here are the pics.

American Alligator - Downtown Orlando - a small one, probably 5 to 6 feet long, but skinny.




Another gator - Merritt Island NWR, near Kennedy Space Center - another small one, skinny, maybe 4 or 5 feet



Uno mas - Merritt Island NWR - this was a big one, wide and probably 9 to 11 feet in length

More of FLorida

West Indian Manatee - Blue Springs State Park, Orange City, FL - Swimming from the springs out into the St. Johns River. (underneath some Double-crested Cormorants)



Another one - taking a breath. There were a lot here (168 the sign said), so it was kind of neat to hear them all taking breaths ... a weird sound. They congregate at springs during the winter, which stay at a constant 72 degreees F. (or they use power plants, which also warm their surrounding waters)



Mother and young - also, a sucker, or some sort of fish attached to it. I think this is may be why she rolled over, cause the fish soon released it's grip right after.

Florida continued

Brown Pelican- flying the surf, near Sebastian Inlet, aroound Vero Beach



Snowy Egrets looking to steal a fish from a Seal - Sea World, Orlando - The birds are wild, and they know when to hang around. Right now zoo visitors are feeding the seals. Many people miss, don't throw the fish far enough, other birds try and steal the fish righ out of the seals mouth, and sometimes the Seals and Sea Lions just don't want the fish, and seem to be teasing the birds on purpose. Either way, the wild birds get pretty vicious going after the scraps.



Wood Stork - also at the feeding frenzy looking for a free meal - he should also be arriving at my house some time in June ... my wife is expecting!!!



And TK ... here is your Tri-colored Heron, or Louisiana Heron some say - This was near Clearwater Beach, FL

Awesome, Thanks Horni

(I'm still trying to get that hawk to sit still for a pic)

I saw the eagles again on the 1st ! Too far for my camera

Thanks for the Tri-Color

I hope the stork finds his way without any trouble. (beer)

Quote:

Originally posted by ThreadKiller

I hope the stork finds his way without any trouble. (beer)

Thanks ... me too. Our first baby, and I'm quite nervous.

Since Sea World, Orlando is in the news, I'll post my pics of the Orcas and trainers. I was there about a month ago.

It's a sad story about the woman who was killed. I guess when working with animals of that size, one assumes the risk though.

Here is a pic that shows 5 of the 7 Orcas that I saw during the show. Also, 8 of the trainers are shown. Notice the trainer at the bottom, directing the one that's jumping. I think that may be her. The news said she had a long ponytail, hers looks to be the longest.



I'll zoom in on the bottom half, maybe someone can tell me if that is the unfortunate trainer? Also, I think that may be the big, 12,000 pound, 30 some year old Orca that killed her. It's tough to tell from the pics, but when I was there ... you could definitely tell that one was much bigger than the others.



Now, here is a closer shot of the other trainers, maybe she is one of them.



Finally, another pic of the Orca that I think is the killer.



I have some video also, probably won't post it though. But it shows a woman trainer interacting (kissing, directing, dancing) with a Orca during the show "Believe". I think it is her, and I think it is the killer. You can tell from the video that she really loved doing her job. It's just a very unfortunate situation. I'm sure she knew that particular animal better than anyone. My condolences to her family and anyone that knew her.

Yes, that is sad about the trainer. Any job has it's risks and she chose to work with these magnificent animals.

Thank you for the updates, pictures and stories.

Your awaited stork delivery is great news. The new arrival will be blessed.

Quote:

Originally posted by webbie1

Your awaited stork delivery is great news. The new arrival will be blessed.

Thanks Webbie

A couple more pics from when I was in Florida over a month ago. Yes, I miss being there, maybe that's why I'm posting so much from when I was there. After all, going from 80 degrees F, to 7 degrees F when I woke up this morning ... well, that sucks.

One more pic from the orca show at Sea World. This Great Egret showed up just as the show began. I was wondering what he was doing sitting up there just above the trainers. I found out soon enough when I saw them grabbing bait fish out of the boxes. As soon as the coast was clear, the wild bird was down there helping himself.



Here is a tiny killer. They're about the size of a Cardinal or a Starling, but they catch and eat other birds. See the hooked bill? That's how they rip the flesh off. Unlike raptors, they don't have talons, so they aren't able to grip their prey. They have to borrow tactics from "Vlad the Impaler" and impale their victims on branches, thorns, or sometimes chainlink fences. That way they can hold their prey still while they tear at the meat.

Loggerhead Shrike - Pelican Island NWR, Florida

This is NOT what boys want. lol

Quote:

Originally posted by Notech

Awesome, Thanks Horni

(I'm still trying to get that hawk to sit still for a pic)
EDIT: Finally happened!

2 weeks ago Saturday, my sister-in-law had her Pugs puppies at my house and we were inside they went out to play'

BAM we heard a noise like one ran into the house. I ran out to find one of them looking stunned in the yard.
My wife said it must have hit it's head,I said no I hear a hawk. It landed in a tree 50yrds away and I ran to get my
camera. (the pup looked ok at that time)
I got it and took the first pic,




Then it flew. I thought well that's it,



When it landed in another tree!

Then it landed about 50 more yards away,







The puppy didn't show any signs of the attack untill the next day when we found the marks on it's back!

I guess I'll add some pics my daughter took at the zoo last fall.

Here we have the beautifully colored chicken hawk

peacock



ducks



Big ass lizard gettin' some sun

Umm i voted 5* f anybody who dont

Big ass tortoise on the run





fin

Quote:

Originally posted by HighGuy

I guess I'll add some pics my daughter took at the zoo last fall.

Here we have the beautifully colored chicken hawk

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Looks more like a Red-Headed-Peckerwood to me

no, if I'm not mistaken, this would be the Red-Headed-Peckerwood