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...

Ducks at Lake Lily

These ducks were hanging out at Lake Lily in Maitland, FL. Ducks are funny birds...




This duck found himself a plastic lizard/fishing lure that he was very proud of. He probably ended up chocking on it later...

Then there was this family of ducks with some rather large ducklings...



And in closing, here are two angry old ducks at the lake...

Red-Tailed Hawk

I spotted this red-tailed hawk was sitting on a fence searching for food. It must have seen something because it swooped down into a grassy area before flying up into some trees with empty talons...

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:

Osprey Thunderbird?

Identify this bird! It looks like an osprey to me, only it is way too big! The picture was taken on from the temporary Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida. The bird was no more than ten feet away and stood at least three feet tall. Any clues?



Could large birds like this be the source of the thunderbird legends?