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Roger Simmons
Roger Simmons

Birds, Words, Pics + TV

Cloudy Saturday at Orlando Wetlands

Roger Simmons, October 1, 2023October 17, 2023

It was a cloudy, overcast morning at the Orlando Wetlands when I visited on Saturday. But, from a birding perspective, it was a good day.

It started – and ended – with seeing a Barred Owl sitting in a tree. When I first saw the owl just before sunrise, there wasn’t much light because it was so overcast. But a couple of hours later, when the light was a little better, I came back and the owl was still in the same spot. After a few pictures, he decided to fly off – right over me.

In addition to seeing some of the wetlands’ regulars like Red-shouldered Hawks and my nemesis Belted Kingfishers, I was happy to see a pair of Common Yellowthroats and a White-eyed Vireo.

A Barred Owl wakes up during a cloudy morning at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A Barred Owl is ready to take over from its limb at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A Barred Owl gets ready to take flight at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A Barred Owl takes off from its perch at the Orlando Wetlands and heads deeper into a forest in September 2023.
A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks keep watch over the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A male Common Yellowthroat sits on a broken reed at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A female Common Yellowthroat rests on a branch at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A female Belted Kingfisher takes a break in a tree that’s part of the cypress dome at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A Belted Kingfisher shows of its wings at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A White-eyed Vireo tries to hide in the bushes buts its song gives away its spot at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A juvenile male Red-winged Blackbird looks for some food at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
A young male Red-winged Blackbird stretches at the Orlando Wetlands in September 2023.
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All Birds Orlando Wetlands Barred OwlBelted KingfisherCommon YellowthroatRed-shouldered HawkWhite-eyed Vireo

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