Better view of Barn Swallows, others at Lake Apopka

Roger Simmons,

Even though it’s the slow summer season for birding, a visit to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive will usually supply something memorable. And that was the case when I visited on Saturday, July 22.

I came across a group of at least 20 Barn Swallows resting in some brush next to the road. It appeared to be a multi-generational including adults and juveniles – all with varying colorations. It was nice to see the birds in a setting that was more natural than the last time I photographed them at LAWD.

But the Barn Swallows weren’t the only attraction. There were some other birds, as you will see below, including one very intense Least Bittern.

A group of Barn Swallows gather in brush next to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in July 2023.
An almost adult Barn Swallow is seen at LAWD in July 2023.. Its adult feathers are almost all there.
An adult Barn Swallow with a bright, white belly hangs out at LAWD in July 2023.
What appears to be a juvenile Barn Swallow, still getting his dark blue-black feathers on its head and body, at LAWD in July 2023.
A young Barn Swallow sits in some brush along the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in July 2023.
This youngish Barn Swallow at LAWD in July 2023 still has a brown head – not a dark black-blue one most adults have.
A pair of Barn Swallows show off their different coloring at LAWD in July 2023.
A momma Common Gallinule swims in a pond at LAWD along with some young chicks in July 2023.
This Common Gallinule chick is a little bird in a big pond at LAWD in July 2023.
A Great Blue Heron seems to think it’s a flasher at LAWD in July 2023.
A Great Blue Heron says “ahhhhhh” and sticks out its tongue at LAWD in July 2023.
This male Least Bittern is in a very intense hunting mode in a pond next to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in July 2023.
A female Red-winged Blackbird does some morning stretches at LAWD in July 2023.
This Red-winged Blackbird catches some early morning sun at LAWD in July 2023.
A Cattle Egret looks majestically into the sun along LAWD in July 2023.
Birds Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

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