Herons and things Matheson Hammock part 2.

Tricolored Heron

On another visit to Matheson Hammock we had a walk round both the East side and the West side of Old Cutler. Its the first time I have walked round the West side of the Hammock, and found it very enjoyable.

Again Tricolored Heron

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Reddish Egret, possibly juvenile or NB.

Reddish Egret.

Reddish Egret.

One of  a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers setting up home

Looks like they have just started excavating the nest hole

Just the two of us building castles in the sky just the two of us you and I

Or maybe not.

Mmmmmmm.

And in the far distance, a couple of Myna birds

Birding and the vibes of South Beach

To anyone not familiar with Miami, and it environs, who hear talk of South Beach or, as it is sometimes referred  to, SoBe, they could be forgiven for thinking that people are referring solely to a beach. Well true, there is a beach, and a very long and brilliant beach at that, but in fact, the beach is on a very large barrier island, which has a sizable thriving community, with condos, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and clubs, all of which are world class. Its Art Deco area is also known world wide. South Beach, therefore, is more than just a beach, it is a vibrant, throbbing, exciting district by the Ocean.
        And in spite of all this and the fact that on any one day the beach can be full of tourists and locals, strolling, sunbathing, swimming, and surfing in various ways, the following was found amongst it all.

Sanderling, like little clockwork toys, running up and down the beach, I wondered how legs could move so fast on such a small bird.

Sanderling

 

Juvenile Laughing Gull.

And an adult Laughing Gull.

And in the next few pics there is a variety of species in a large group.

Black Skimmers.

 

 

Skimmers, Royal Terns, Laughing Gulls, and Ring-bill Gulls where also about.

All this, and a few hundred yards away the throbbing sound of club music, What a place.

Waders, & Matheson Hammock part one

Young Black Racer doing its hunting in a tree

So Matheson Hammock, We had 2 visits to the East side of Old Cutler and one to the West, the reason for this was we spend quite a bit of time driving along Old Cutler and its easy to pop in.
     Not a lot doing around the ponds near the entrance apart from the snake, although there was some peckers about that where quite small but unfortunately didn't get a positive ID.
     Round the lagoon and the loop however was something worth the look, starting with --------

This little beauty, Semipalmated Plover, of which there was quite a few.

Easy to spot near the water, but on the loop where there was a rough area of ground they where well camouflaged.

Semipalmated Plover.

Also a nice little flock of Ruddy Turnstones

 

I purposely put the front one out of focus to emphasise the water droplets on the back one.

Next up was a bit of a surprise when a little flock of these flew in, I think the camera was shaking a bit with excitement.

Least Sandpiper

 

Last of the Least Sandpiper.

Then not wanting to miss the party this little beauty turned up.

Killdeer, what a gorgeous bird.

Killdeer, handsome what.

And what hidden colours.

and it wouldn't be a party without these guys Boat-tailed Grackle

It gives the impression its drinking, but this would not be the case it being salt water, so it must be catching insects or invertebrates

Back yard tensions

Went outside at my mates house to an early morning mist, (its amazing wiping the dew from the car windows and its actually warm, if I did this in England at this time of year I could easily get frost-bite) anyway there was something slightly different this morning as there was a lot of noise going on. Starting with the Grackles, they were making even more of a racket the normal, and other birds were throwing their lot in.

Common Grackle one of many birds kicking up a fuss

What a mouth full, sunrise just caching its feathers

But the two birds that lead me to  the cause of all the commotion were two Blue Jays--------

First Blue Jay

Second Blue Jay.

And the cause of all the fuss ? I think you can guess----------------

What I think is a Red-tailed Hawk.

Get outta my tree.

I'm going on the chest marking and dark back, but no sign of red tail in my shots (come on Wally help me out please)

 

So the adventure continues, and where back home I would be asking whats the weather going to do today before making a move, well here the question never enters our heads, lets get going.