Roger Simmons - Birds, Words, Pics + TV

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New places for birding in St. Augustine

Roger Simmons, January 31, 2026January 31, 2026

On our recent visit, I went birding at Eddie Vickers Park and Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park for the first time.

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Birding at St. Augustine Alligator Farm rookery

Roger Simmons, January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

On our long weekend in St. Augustine earlier this month, I spent one morning at the Alligator Farm’s rookery area.

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Pint-sized surprise: Seeing a Burrowing Owl

Roger Simmons, January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

The range of these ground-dwelling, 9-inch tall owls includes Central Florida. It’s just that they are more rare here.

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White Pelicans are our true snow birds

Roger Simmons, January 24, 2026January 24, 2026

A group of American White Pelicans visited Black Point Wildlife Drive as part of their Florida winter vacation.

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St. Augustine shore birds in the morning light

Roger Simmons, January 21, 2026January 20, 2026

I came across a large group of terns, Royal and Forester’s, mixing in with a group of adult and juvenile Ring-billed Gulls.

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Roseate Spoonbills make it a happy new year

Roger Simmons, January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

Since they’re looking for mates, the birds have transitioned into their breeding plumage. Their brilliant colors are attracting a lot of attention.

Across Florida

Picking out my favorite photos of 2025

Roger Simmons, January 16, 2026January 16, 2026

Here are my favorite photographs that I took in 2025, based on the subjects or the lighting or the location.

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Spending sunrise with Black Skimmers

Roger Simmons, January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

A sunrise trip to St. Augustine Beach included a group of Black Skimmers helping greet the weekend morning.

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Roseates have returned to Orlando Wetlands

Roger Simmons, January 5, 2026January 4, 2026

These pink prehistoric-looking birds appear so elegant when resting or perching but are downright ungainly when taking off, flying or landing.

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Hooded Mergansers still hanging around

Roger Simmons, January 4, 2026January 4, 2026

I was happy to see that the Hooded Merganser ducks that have been visiting a pond in Oviedo are continuing their stay, This “raft” (what a group of these ducks are called) includes the dapper males with their white crests, the brown-colored females with often spiky crests and at least…