American Bittern

Many people who venture out to view wildlife, or simply walk the trails in Circle B Bar Reserve, never happen to see the elusive American Bittern. The main reason for this is the way in which they go about their business of stalking and catching their next meal. Because of their coloring, and habit of walking very slowly among the grasses and reeds around their environment, they can be very hard to see. Even once you have spotted one, they can disappear quickly back into the weeds.

I remember one occasion when I was in St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge, and stopped to photograph some wading birds in a small pond beside the road. Another photographer was already there taking pictures. As I stepped up near him I noticed a Bittern in a small clump of reeds and grasses close to shore. I mentioned the bird and the other photographer was surprised since he had not seen it before I pointed it out to him. One of the fun things to watch is a bittern who is trying to blend in with it's surroundings. I have seen them actually swaying back and forth with their head held pointed skyward as the breeze moves the grasses around them.

Here are some shots of one just after it had caught a small catfish, and was in the act of swallowing it.

Great Egret

I got a phone call this morning from a neighbor who told me she had just seen a fox walk past her home. I took my trusty camera and went to find it. As luck would have it, I was not able to see where it had gone. But as I was about to return home, I saw a white flash overhead, and got a few quick shots of this Great Egret as it flew by heading who knows where. Thanks Joanne.

River Otters on the Hunt

Here is a collection of photographs taken yesterday at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida. There were a group of four otters which possibly was a family of two adults and their two young from last year. I walked along a canal where they were fishing and watched them for perhaps 30 minutes to get these shots.

Bobcat Encounter - Close Up

For those of you who have read previous postings of mine, you may be aware that I like the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida. I will not go into a lot of detail as to why, but just go there if you can, and you will understand. If you are from Maine, sorry - you just have to imagine somehow.

Today was not the best day for a photo shoot, but I was for some reason moved to go there anyway. Even though it was cool and cloudy, I just had to go. It was after 3pm when I got there, and wandered around a bit before taking the trail know as Swamp Rabbit Run. A good hour later, after returning to the main intersection of Swamp Rabbit, and Alligator Alley, I walked a ways down the main trail to the South. Looking around I could see that I was alone and no human was anywhere around. (Getting dramatic here I can see). Just then I noticed a flash run across the trail up ahead and identified it to be a Bobcat.

The following pictures were shot over a 20 minute period of time. The Bobcat was coming along the trail straight towards me, and was looking to be in the stealth mode. If it were a good 125 pounds heavier, I think I would have left quickly. But, I stayed and took a total of 41 pictures as the cat went about his/her hunt. 

At one point the cat left the trail, and went into the bushes off to the side. After a good 5 - 10 minutes of silence, I heard a splash, and saw the cat coming out of the water after it had tried to grab a Coot that had been swimming a little too close. After it missed the Coot, it came back onto the trail. 

Here is a selection of the better photos I took. Hope you enjoy.

 This is the first shot of the series as the cat was coming at me.

 As you can see - the cat is in the stealth mode here.

 Here the cat goes off the trail into the brush to look for food, or as some would say - prey.

 Now back on the hunt, and moving steadily towards me.

 But, back into the brush once more. This is where he went after a Coot after being in there for a few minutes.

 Now that the cat is out, you can see that it is wet.

 Smelling where another Bobcat must have been.

 At this point the cat is about 12 feet from me.

 It now decides not to walk across my feet and goes a bit off the trail.

 Crossing the rocks around the culvert where I am standing.

 Can you get any closer?

 I had moved my 100 - 400mm zoom lens back to 100mm and could not get the whole cat in the frame.

 Now he is past me and moving away still on the hunt.

After getting by me, the cat turns down Swamp Rabbit Run and goes back into deep stealth mode. Must be a morsel somewhere nearby.

Snake in The Yard

As things often go here in Florida, you walk out into the yard one day, and there is a snake waiting for you to take some pictures. On this day, this Black Racer was laying (I almost said "sitting") on top of a palm bush looking for some lunch. I was able to get out my tripod and take these pictures, and it never did crawl away while I was photographing him/her. It lay around up there for a good hour, before it moved on. I have no idea if it got a meal or not, but it sure was patient.

Circle B Bar Reserve Green Heron

While walking along Alligator Alley in the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida yesterday, I came upon this Green Heron doing some fishing. Here are several shots of the bird doing his thing.

Up Close and Personal

Here is a selection of close up photographs of creatures recently seen at Circle B bar Reserve. Just a little change from the usual photographs that I take. Enjoy.

 Great Blue Heron

 Cormorant

 Gray Squirrel

 Great Blue Heron

 Little Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron