This time of year, it’s not just the area forests and parks that are getting some returning birds.
The lakes are also seeing some colorful visitors, like the Wood Ducks I spotted in Orlando.
They included the very beautiful male drakes as well as interesting looking female hens – who I photographed for the first time.
Wood Ducks are listed by AllAboutBirds.org as year-round residents, but until last week I had not spotted any around here since the spring. I don’t know where they went, but I am glad they are back.
A pair of male and female Wood Ducks take a swim in an Orlando lake in October 2023.A Wood Duck drake swims along in an Orlando lake in October 2023. Their numbers have been rising since a dramatic decline in the 19th Century due to overhunting.The Wood Duck hen, like this one at an Orlando lake in October 2023, is not as colorful as the drake but is still striking. The hens can lay 10-11 eggs per clutch. One of several Wood Ducks spotted in October 2023 at an Orlando lake. Wood Ducks aren’t territorial but will fight other males if they get too close to their mates, AllAboutBirds.org says.
These colorful little warblers are here for breeding season. In recent days I have heard them around my house and at the Wetlands, but I had not been able to spot one, let alone photograph one.
For the past several outdoor outings I’ve been trying to find and photograph some little birds. They’re tough to spot and don’t hang around long for a picture.
My most recent trip to the Orlando Wetlands on Sunday, August 6, started by spotting a group of 16 (!) baby Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and ended with photographs of an elusive Belted Kingfisher.
