On Friday I traveled to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive for the morning for some more photos. It was a chilly morning again and not much was stirring on my first lap but I caught the sunrise and a Northern Harrier Hawk that actually landed somewhat close to me. On the second lap I arrived just as a Peregrine Falcon started feeding on a Common Gallinule. (Warning:Graphic feeding photos ahead). I watched the entire meal and then caught the takeoff as the bird flew away. Peregrine Falcons are the world’s fastest birds; in power-diving from great heights to strike prey, the Peregrine may possibly reach 200 miles per hour. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is the only reliable place I know of in Florida to see a Peregrine Falcon. Afterwards I caught a few Osprey feeding and a Grey-headed Swamphen which are always pretty. Grey-headed Swamphens look like an oversized version of a Purple Gallinule with a massive red bill. The Gray-headed Swamphen is an impressive bird and the largest rail in North America. Originally from southern Asia, it became established in southern Florida in the mid-1990s when birds escaped from captivity and began breeding.
PS:I did remove telephone wires from all of the perched Peregrine Falcon photos.
Red-shouldered Hawk silhouetted at sunrise.
Northern Harrier (female) in flight.
Northern Harrier (female) in resting in weeds.
Peregrine Falcon (male) with Common Gallinule for breakfast.
White Ibis in flight.
Peregrine Falcon with Common Gallinule for breakfast.
Peregrine Falcon with Common Gallinule for breakfast.
Peregrine Falcon with Common Gallinule for breakfast.
Peregrine Falcon with Common Gallinule for breakfast.
Peregrine Falcon taking off.
Peregrine Falcon taking off.
Peregrine Falcon in flight.
Peregrine Falcon in flight.
Osprey with fish.
Gray-headed Swamphen – The name is a little misleading, I usually call them Purple Swamphens.
It finally warmed up enough for the gators to come out and start sunning.
So many wonderful shots of so many beautiful birds. Red shoulder and harrier hawks, the white ibis and the gray headed Swamphen and finally, the star of the photo shoot, the peregrine falcon. I love the photo of the harrier hawk which is almost invisible as it blends into the weeds and grasses. I love seeing the peregrines in action and also at lunch. Amazing photos.
I’m baking a Cornish hen for supper but am not going to tear it apart with my teeth like the falcon did. Photos are all so beautiful as always.
Thanks.
Granny