Kay Wells - Personal Page on MyParkPhotos.com, The Best Photography Community for Friends of Public Lands

Kay Wells

Member since Sep 2006

United States, Florida, ST AUGUSTINE

Offline, Last Logged on Mar 11, 2010 21:10:09

Viera Wetlands, Florida, United States

Category: Birds
Date Shot: Tue, Feb 23, 2010

Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM
Filter: n/a

Submitted: Thu, Mar 11, 2010
Viewed: 27 times
Rating: 4 ×

Member Comments:

A pert spring Robin at Viera Wetlands

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Fort Matanzas National Monument // Mar 10, 2010

At Fort Matanzas, she female Great Horned Owl nesting near the ranger station gives her chick a loving nuzzle upon returning to the nest.

Viera Wetlands // Mar 6, 2010

The Limpkins at Viera Wetlands are a little more used to people, so a close-up of this normally-elusive bird is possible.

Viera Wetlands // Mar 3, 2010

A Glossy Ibis sucks down a bite at Viera Wetlands. This bird appears dark at a distance, but a closer view, especially in the sunlight, reveals an array of gorgeous colors.

Viera Wetlands // Feb 26, 2010

This soft-shelled turtle was resting on the water's edge at Viera Wetlands, stretching his legs and trying to soak up some not-seen-lately sun. They are not one of nature's prettier creatures.

Viera Wetlands // Feb 25, 2010

This Eastern Meadowlark was doing what its name implies, hunting around in the grasslands at Viera Wetlands. The vivid coloring really showed up against the brown grasses.

Viera Wetlands // Feb 25, 2010

This Eastern Meadowlark was doing what its name implies, hunting around in the grasslands at Viera Wetlands. The vivid coloring really showed up against the brown grasses.

Fort Matanzas National Monument // Feb 20, 2010

This is the male of the Great Horned Owl pair that are nesting -- and parenting with the hatching of a chick -- outside the ranger station at Fort Matanzas. On this day he was very accommodating and moved from his dappled-shade perch to a post in the sun to preen and stretch. The sun brings out his gorgeous coloring.

Fort Matanzas National Monument // Feb 18, 2010

This is the same Great Horned Owl I posted earlier that was nesting outside the Fort Matanzas ranger station, but now she has one chick. Three eggs fell out of the tree during the nesting period, but she succeeded with this chick. It is brand-new, not-very-pretty and still covered with white down.

Viera Wetlands // Feb 15, 2010

A limpkin searches for apple snails, its primary food, at Viera Wetlands.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge // Feb 8, 2010

The remarkable red and black bill of the Black Skimmer sets it apart from all other American birds. It is knife-thin and the lower mandible is longer than the upper. The bird drags the lower bill through the water to catch small fish as it flies along at a rapid clip.

Viera Wetlands // Feb 7, 2010

The Loggerhead Shrike impales its insect catches on thorns, both for convenient eating and storage for later. When no thorns are near, a barbed-wire fence bordering Viera Wetlands works perfectly.

River to Sea Preserve // Jan 22, 2010

Red-eared Slider turtles warm up in the sun at the River to Sea Preserve near Marineland. These are non-native turtles but are firmly established in Florida, even interbreeding with the indigenous Yellow-bellied Slider.

River to Sea Preserve // Jan 21, 2010

Black-hooded Conures (also known as the Nanday Conure or the Black-hooded Parakeet) established themselves in St Augustine years ago. Other Florida locales also have self-sustaining populations. Two of these lovely but raucous birds were building a nest in a dead palm tree just outside the River to Sea Preserve below Marineland. The birds are native to South America.

River to Sea Preserve // Jan 20, 2010

The Palm Warbler is one of the smallest birds in the River to Sea Preserve, located just below Marineland on highway A1A south of St Augustine.

Washington Oaks Garden State Park // Jan 17, 2010

Tropical colors brought out for a winter day -- a Gulf Fritillary sips nectar from flowers at Washington Oaks Garden State Park.

Washington Oaks Garden State Park // Jan 4, 2010

This was one of the few blossoms left on the bushes at the rose gardens at Washington Oaks on New Year's Eve. We had a hard freeze, so it has probably lost its radiance.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park // Dec 30, 2009

A Little Blue Heron stalks the wetlands at Paynes Prairie Reserve State Park.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park // Dec 25, 2009

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is located in north-central Florida in Alachua County. It is known for its outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities including bison, cracker horses and cattle, alligators, sandhill cranes, and over 270 bird species. The principal physical feature of the preserve is a 16,000 acre freshwater marsh/wet prairie known as Paynes Prairie. The preserve includes the Prairie and some of the surrounding uplands for a total of nearly 22,000 acres.

Princess Place Preserve // Dec 21, 2009

On impulse, we took a drive out to Princess Place Preserve, and were lucky enough to spot this beautiful American Kestrel. I only had the time to get off one shot before the kestrel was chased away by a kingfisher, who did not linger long enough to be a photographic subject.

Blue Spring State Park // Nov 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and here's hoping the web site gets all the bugs out. I shot this eagle from the nature boat ride at Blue Springs State Park. The guide said he would probably fly as the boat passed, but he was cooperative and let us get a few shots.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park // Nov 13, 2009

This photo was taken at Paynes Prairie the last time I visited there in August, and resident photographer and volunteer extraordinaire Dominick Martino was our host, showing us the natural wonders of “his” place. He was one of the most dynamic posters on MPP, documenting the appearance and behavior of animals, birds, insects and plants of the beautiful preserve where he spent much of his time. Dominick passed away on October 17, 2009 after a short illness. The Friends of Paynes Prairie held a celebration of his life at the preserve on October 22, and a more lasting memorial is being planned. For details, go to http://www.prairiefriends.org/domCelebration.html. He will be sorely missed. Dominick’s web site is http://dommartino.zenfolio.com/

Viera Wetlands // Sep 24, 2009

In the wildflower identification book, the wild Passion-flower also has the common name of Maypop. The flower almost looks too complex for such a simple name. This gorgeous wildflower, a vining plant, grows throughout the state, and blooms every season except winter. This one was at Viera Wetlands, but we also found them at Paynes Prairie.

St Johns County Ocean Pier Park // Sep 13, 2009

The St Johns County Ocean Pier Park is the scene of many events including free weekly concerts, a farmers' market, surf contests, and special occasions such as the celebration of St Augustine Beach's 50th Anniversary.

Washington Oaks Garden State Park // Sep 10, 2009

Gopher Tortoises are an endangered species, mostly from loss of habitat, and the parks (like Washington Oaks) and private lands with understanding owners are safe places for them to be. They are long-lived, up to 40-60 years. This one was probably in the upper range since he was fairly large. The tortoises are herbivores, and he was contently munching on grass until I interrupted him for a photograph.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands // Sep 4, 2009

Even in August, a supposedly slow time for bird action, one could find things happening at Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Green Gay. Both of these areas are water treatment areas, and the county has turned them into wildlife habitat -- wonderful spots for the photographer.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park // Sep 1, 2009

Paynes Prairie served up a veritable feast of wildflowers in August, among them the American Lotus (pictured here), Passionflower, March Mallow, Partridge Pea and a host of others. Nature puts on a grand show.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park // Aug 15, 2009

There was an array of beautiful butterflies at Paynes Prairie on this day, and many flowers to feast upon.

Fort Mose Historical State Park // Aug 4, 2009

Not much was stirring at Fort Mose yesterday except the insects, and some of them were busy making more insects.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse // Jul 20, 2009

Visited by over 125,000 people each year, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998. The lighthouse at the station is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest masonry lighthouse in the nation.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse // Jul 20, 2009

On the lighthouse grounds, the Ayres Davies Lens Exhibit Building houses one of the finest collections of restored Fresnel lenses in the world, including the rotating first order Fresnel lens from the Cape Canaveral lighthouse and the restored original Ponce Inlet lighthouse first order Fresnel lens.

Fort Mose Historical State Park // Jul 11, 2009

Fort Mose Historical State Park is a small state park just north of St. Augustine. It is small in acreage but nicely arranged, with a boardwalk out over a marshy area. A new visitor center just opened.

Phil Foster Park // May 24, 2009

Phil Foster Park is a small park on the Intracoastal Canal, and divers find an amazing amount of sea life in the shallow waters there.

Butterfly World // May 21, 2009

Tradewinds Park is a 699-acre Broward County regional park that is home to Butterfly World and Tradewinds and Atlantic Railroad. In the butterfly section, hundreds of vividly-colored butterflies flit among equally brilliant flowers as classical music plays in the background. A friend with us, a romantic at heart, was heard to mutter, "Wouldn't this make a great location for a wedding?"

Long Key Nature Center // May 20, 2009

The pond at Long Key Nature Center, with a small island in the center, is not very large, but it was the center of an impressive amount of wildlife activity. You did not have to move very far to view the animals, from dragonflies to birds to iguanas.

Long Key Nature Center // May 19, 2009

While we were visiting, there was a lot going on in a small area at Long Key Nature Center. In addition to all the wildlife action near the pond, a Hindu wedding, with the guests in beautifully-colored attire, was in progress in the nearby pavilion.

Butterfly World // May 17, 2009

At Butterfly World, hundreds of vividly-hued butterflies flit among equally brilliant flowers, with classical music playing in the background. A friend with us, a romantic at heart, was heard to mutter, "Wouldn't this be a great location for a wedding?"

Butterfly World // May 14, 2009

Butterfly World is a wealth of beauty, information and education on butterflies and the plants that feed them. We were there for several hours and only completed about a third of the exhibits. There is also an extensive display of hummingbirds and other exotic species, as well as sections for orchids, roses and other flowers.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands // May 9, 2009

Wakodahatchie Wetlands is as interesting for the beautiful flowers as it is for the wildlife. Many spring wildflowers, such as this native pickerelweed, were in full bloom.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands // May 8, 2009

This was our first visit to Wakodahatchee, and I wish I could move it closer to our home. There was so much going on that you could walk the boardwalk and see stuff, or you could plant yourself in one of the covered shelters and just let things come to you.

Great Florida Birding Trail // Apr 1, 2009

We took a hike on the Eco-walk Trail in the Crystal River Buffer Preserve. It is a 2.2 mile walking trail, well-developed with interpretive nature stops along the way. The trail is one of the components of the Nature Coast section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Details can be found at http://www.citrusbirdingtrail.com/BirdcountR.html

Crystal River Preserve State Park // Mar 28, 2009

Phil Foster Park is a newly-renovated 14.65 acre beach facility on Blue Heron Boulevard in the city of Riviera Beach in close proximity to the Lake Worth Inlet, the Port of Palm Beach and Peanut Island. The park provides numerous recreational opportunities for visitors with emphasis on boater access to the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. A large pier and two smaller fishing platforms offer anglers the chance to test their saltwater skills in the beautiful waters of the lagoon. A guarded swimming beach provides the perfect access for bathers of all ages to enjoy the sun and fun. A nearby playground facility is sure to delight children ages 5 - 12. A special highlight of the park is four picnic shelters which overlook the surrounding waterway.

City of Cape Coral // Mar 10, 2009

The city of Cape Coral protects its famous bird residents, including the burrowing owls, flocks of monk parakeets and nesting eagles. It's a good investment, because the birds bring in visitors, who spend money in the local economy.

North Peninsula State Park // Feb 12, 2009

North Peninsula State Park is located along the ocean just below the Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. It is an area of low scrub, a perfect area to host a family of scrub jays.

Haw Creek Preserve // Dec 29, 2008

Haw Creek Preserve is a Flager County park, a 1000-plus acre parcel with a beautiful creek running through it. A long boardwalk with multiple decks off the pathway along the creek makes walking easy. There are many plants and animals to see and photograph. We found some of the rare green-fly orchids still blooming.

Faver-Dykes State Park // Nov 15, 2008

Favor-Dyes Park has one picnic pavilion with power outlets, which makes it an ideal place to brew a pot of coffee and enjoy a crock pot of chili on a cool day.

Anastasia State Park // Nov 2, 2007

My husband and I live only a few blocks from Anastasia State Park, so it is very handy for me. We recently purchased the Florida State Park pass, and have been putting it to use at various locations. The pass admits up to eight people in a car, and is valid for a year.

Washington Oaks Garden State Park // Feb 13, 2007

Washington Oaks Park is a real treat for the soul almost any time of the year. It's a beautiful place, full of lush plantings, spring-fed ponds and giant spreading oaks. The park always seems to have an active bunch of birds, resident and migratory.

Viera Wetlands // Jan 29, 2007

It was our first visit to Viera, and we were amazed at the cacaphony of bird noises. There was such a variety of both birds and sounds, and at times the volume sounded like a crowd in the distance.

Recent Photographs

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"Baby" Manatee, Crystal River Preserve State Park

Solitary Sentinel, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Hmm... Water Looks A Little Rough Today, Guana River Wildlife Management Area

That FLASH Scared My Fish!, Wakodahatchee Wetlands