Cedar Waxwings, Robins, & Mockingbirds

Two years ago, a flock of Cedar Waxwings flew through my backyard and devoured a Beauty Berry Bush that somehow planted itself in the yard. They were soon joined by a few American Robins and some Mockingbirds and by the end of the day, the plant was picked clean of berries. When I saw the feast going on, I got my video camera out and this was the result (make sure you hit the High Quality (HQ) button):

Since that flock of Cedar Waxwings visited, I've yet to see another one. The robins migrate through Central Florida every year, and if you're at the right place at the right time, you'll see them. This year, the Beauty Berries have been completely untouched. From what I understand, birds only eat these berries if there is nothing else around because they are so acidic, but I'm still waiting for the Cedar Waxwings to pay another visit...

Great Horned Owl at Flagler College

I was in St. Augustine near the fountain in front of the Lightner Museum (former Alcazar Hotel) when I spotted this great horned owl across the street at Flagler College. The bird flew to several of the windows on the upper floors of the school where he would stop and peer inside for a while before moving on to another window. He eventually made it up to a chimney where he sat for a while before flying off.

It was a very unique sight, and was a bit Harry Potter-like with an owl flying around a castle-like school in broad daylight. Maybe the owl was delivering a letter to a student...

Miniature Train @ the Central Florida Zoo

The Central Florida Zoo in Sanford, FL has a miniature train that loops around the wooded area surrounding the parking lot. It's a cramped ride for adults, but I always enjoy taking the ride around anyway. Here are some pictures from my last visit to the zoo in 2006:

Backyard Turtle

I was outside the other day in my yard, and this turtle wandered by. I got my camera and took these pictures:





It was a little hard to tell since I'm not a turtle expert and his shell was covered in algae, but I am going to assume that this was a Florida Redbelly Cooter. Luckily, this turtle didn't end up in any swimming pools, and I didn't see it squished on any nearby roads, so hopefully it got to wherever it was going.

Speaking of turtles and other reptiles, check out this website. I probably spent at least an hour reading about many of Florida's reptiles that I've never come across.

American Bison in Florida

A few years ago, I came across this herd of American Bison on a farm somewhere northwest of Gainesville, FL. This particular herd was definitely domesticated, and I'm assuming these 'Buffalo' were being raised for meat.



I never knew this, but apparently there are some wild herds of bison living in Paynes Prairie State Park which were introduced from the American Midwest in the 1970s. That's even better than farm animals, but only without the barbed wire fence that might deter a bison from trampling you.
More about the wild bison.

Armadillo

I came across this armadillo searching for food in the grass along the Cross Seminole Trail in the Spring Hammock Preserve while going for a bike ride. Armadillos are very weird products of evolution with their furry feet and leathery shells...

Frogs After Fay...

As Tropical Storm Fay drenched Central Florida for hours and hours, many more frogs than usual started appearing all around thanks to all of the rain that the storm provided. This green frog found his way into a swimming pool...

This tiny tree frog took shelter from the storm in a garage, picking up all sorts of dust on it's moist skin.

And then there is this Cuban Tree Frog that found his way into my house during the storm. This one was a bit difficult to get back outside...

Hungry Squrrel...

Mayfair Fox Squirrel

Fox Squirrels are North America's largest tree dwelling squirrel. The first time I saw one, I questioned if it was really a squirrel and not another type of rodent due to it's large size. This picture was my first sighting of a Fox Squirrel at the Mayfair Golf Course in Sanford, FL. I've since seen several more of these animals, all within the same golf course.

Loggerhead Shrike Chicks

While biking along the Seminole Wekiva Trail along International Parkway in Lake Mary, Florida, I came across two young birds that must have fell out of a nest. They couldn't fly, and just sat chirping in the middle of the pavement. On the way back, I found another pair that were in the grass just off of the trail. From the look of these birds, my initial thought was that they could be baby Chickadees. After looking through some more bird books, and having corrections emailed and left as comments, these birds are actually baby Loggerhead Shrikes.

The mother wasn't around, and I didn't see any nest. I wasn't quite sure what to do with these birds. I ended up leaving them alone after I took pictures. Hopefully the birds survive, although it's probably quite unlikely.

















Youtube Video:

Black Bear In the Ocala National Forest

Black Bear In the Ocala National Forest...