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Roger Simmons
Roger Simmons

Birds, Words, Pics + TV

Finding ducks, other birds at Lake Apopka

Roger Simmons, August 17, 2024August 17, 2024

I was thinking of that old Rolling Stones song, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” during my Saturday morning trip to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. But, to paraphrase the lyrics, I did get what I needed – some great birds to photograph.

I went to LAWD hoping to see some migratory warblers, which have been reported there recently. It’s not time for fall migration, yet some birds are getting an early start and stopping by Lake Apopka on their way south.

I struck out when it came to spotting any warblers, but I did come across about a dozen Wood Ducks, the most I have ever seen there. These birds are absolutely spectacular when they are in their breeding colors, but even now they look beautiful.

And with different aquatic plants flowering around the lake right now, I got some photos of other birds with some pretty backgrounds.

Wood Duck hen, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Wood Duck drakes, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Wood Duck drake, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Wood Duck drake, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Purple Gallinule, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Juvenile Purple Gallinule helping care for baby sibling, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Purple Gallinule, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Great Blue Heron, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Green Heron, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Great Egret with yellow lotus flowers in background, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Anhinga, Purple Gallinule, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly washing its legs in the morning dew on the grass, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Black-crowned Night Heron, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Red-shouldered Hawk, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
Juvenile male Northern Cardinal almost at adulthood, Purple Gallinule, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, August 2024.
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All Birds Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive AnhingaBlack-Crowned Night-HeronGreat Blue HeronGreat EgretGreen HeronNorthern CardinalPurple GallinuleRed-shouldered HawkWood Duck

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