Vermilion Flycatcher, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Vermilion Flycatcher, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Northern Parula, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
White Ibis, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Great Egret on nest, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
White eyed Vireo, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Prairie Warbler, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Pied billed Grebe, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Orange crowned Warbler, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Purple Gallinule, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Limpkin, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Wilson's Snipe, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Sandhill Cranes, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
Marsh Wren, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 5, 2025
After my time in
Costa Rica I flew into Orlando on February 4th and arrived there in the evening and made the drive to another Airbnb where I would stay for two nights. Unfortunately I tweaked my back a bit and had to keep the drives to spots closer than originally planned. It didn’t change things too much as there were a number of great level spots to walk with a short drive but any plans to head to the coast were out. I decided on the ever productive
Orlando Wetlands Park, a large area with miles of trails and various impoundments holding a wide variety of species. I decided to concentrate on
warblers (not a surprise) but the hordes of waders, waterfowl and many others diverted my attention from time to time. The morning flight of ibis was impressive with hundreds moving. Swallow numbers were very impressive too with tons of Tree Swallows and at least two Barn Swallows mixed in. On the far end of the park I had a nice mixed flock that contained half a dozen species of warblers plus a large group of Blue gray Gnatcatchers. There had been a male Vermilion Flycatcher overwinter in the area and another bird photographer I talked to let me know it was showing well so I headed to the area. I initially saw the bright red bird at the top of distant tree but by the time I walked a bit and got closer I lost sight of it only to have it fly down to within perhaps ten feet of me! It is an impressive species regardless of how many times you see it. After getting some great shots of the birds I moved on. Near what was to be the end of my walk I had another unusual bird with a brief view of a Cape May Warblers in a large mixed flock that was mainly made up of Yellow rumped Warblers. Unfortunately one of the Yellow rumped Warblers chased it and I was never able to relocate it despite a lot of effort. By the end of my walk I had stayed for four and a half hours. I then took a brief break for lunch and tried another nearby spot (
Savage Creek Christmas Preserve) but the midday sun was a bit much so I headed back to
Orlando Wetlands Park to once again try to relocate the Cape May Warbler to get photos without any luck. The place was still productive considering it was early afternoon. I then headed back to my Airbnb and started getting stuff ready for my trip back home and to take a long, hot shower to loosen up my muscles.
Great Blue Heron, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 6, 2025
Black crowned Night Heron carrying nest material, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 6, 2025
Dawn, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 6, 2025
Palm Warbler 'western', Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 6, 2025
Yellow throated Warbler, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Feb 6, 2025
For my last morning in the warmth of Florida I again decided to head to
Orlando Wetlands Park so I didn’t have to drive too far. I arrived just as the gates opened for the day once again and quickly added a variety of species with many in good numbers. I walked for almost four hours and found nearly eighty species. Rarities for the day included the continued Vermilion Flycatcher, a light morph Short tailed Hawk and at least one Barn Swallow. I added a few new species for the year too. By late morning I started the trip toward the airport and then home. I made a midday stop at a small park near the airport to take another short walk. The location was surprisingly active in spots considering it was midday and quite warm. Overall my brief stop in sunny, warm Florida produced a total of 100 species.
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