Bok Tower Tour

We had a great tour of the Carillion at Bok Tower today. I had some camera issues (new user error) so didn't get any pictures inside, but here are some other pictures I got once I figured out the camera. If you didn't GOYB and join us, here's what you missed:

These are the "chirping birds" on the iron gates leading into the tower.

 This is the door to the tower. It weighs 700 pounds and takes 8 hours to polish, so we were told to keep our mitts off of it, lest we get punished by having to do the polishing next time.

 The pictures engraved in the door depict scenes from Genesis. Shown here is the creation myth.

The detail on the door is pretty amazing.

The tower is quite glorious. There are tons of bird and other nature carvings. I notice something new every time I go there.

 There were a ton of Zebra Longwings there.

Another Zebra Longwing.

A cool palm. The poofy thing in the middle looked like a muppet to me.

There were a ton of brilliant Poinsettias there too.

The tour we took inside the tower was for members only, but the publicly accessible tower and grounds are beyond amazing too. Make sure you come out and join us next time. You can only see pictures of the tower here, but you can only experience the glorious music and colors if you actually GOYB and join us!

Goodwin WMA and Broadmoor

Had an awesome trip out to Goodwin and Broadmoor today with David and a new friend, Terry. Here are some pictures from our grand day out!

First bird of the day was a Greater Yellowlegs who posed quite nicely for us.

The moon was still out when we started.

I love the way the dawn sunshine lit up this gorgeous Great Blue Heron.

Getting in practice for next week's bird counds. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

This beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk posed for us.

Deer, dear. And a Glossy Ibis.

It's hard to believe that this sweet little happy Shrike has the nick-name "The Butcher Bird".

Woo-hoo! The first of 3 life birds for me today. An American Bittern, which I had seen but never photographed before.

Another lifer! A Redhead.

A While Pelican. There was just something silly or slightly drunk looking about his expression.

My final lifer of the day, a Purple Swamphen. I saw one of these in south Florida a million years ago, back when David and I were dating, but I was shooting film back then, and couldn't find the picture.

As always, was a great time out there, hope you will join us out there some day!

Sebastian Inlet

Did an impromptu trip out to Sebastian Inlet this morning. Got some interesting pictures, there is always something to see out there.

We have a rare Greater Cormorant visiting here from the north.

 Compare and contrast the Greater Cormorant on the left, with the Double Crested Cormorant on the right. Note the differences in the beak, plumage, and overall size.

 I love this Woodstork pose. He looks like those pictures you see of teenage girls who always do that weird pose with one bent leg that is supposed to show off something but I'm not quite sure what.

Look at his face close up. Looks like he could use some Eucerin and chap stick!

 Check out this close up of his legs they almost look scaly, like a snake at the top.

This is another interesting group shot of white and brown pelicans, greater and double crested cormorant, and a great blue heron.

2 pelicans just hanging.

"Hey Marge, that guy is totally checking you out."

"Oh man, I hope he doesn't come over here I can't stand him, he..."

 "Well, Helllooooo ladies.... You look like you need the company of a real man..."

4 Pelicans looking artsy.

 "You put your right foot in..."

"...then you shake it all about..."

A Herring Gull. Not an exciting bird from a distance, but their plumage is quite pretty up close.

Another interesting comparison shot of Black Skimmers with a Ring Billed Gull, a Laughing Gull, and a Royal Tern.

Twas a fun but cold day out there on the beach, and it's finally stopped raining. Yay!