Sometimes I go to see birds and sometimes the birds come to see me. Here’s the latest edition of Backyard Birds, featuring the return of Northern Parulas.
Parulas are colorful little gray, white, yellow and orange warblers who visit the area during breeding season. They are usually found high up in trees — as they were in an large oak in my backyard. They have a very distinctive song, with a trill sound at the end.
Also dropping by were some Tufted Titmice, a few warblers, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet as well as an appearance by the resident male Northern Cardinal.
And though they were in my front yard instead of the back, some Cedar Waxwings stopped by every so briefly. I hope they come back.
Female Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Female Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Female Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Tufted Titmouse, my backyard, February 2025.Tufted Titmice, my backyard, February 2025.Tufted Titmouse, my backyard, February 2025.Cedar Waxwings, my front yard, March 2025.Cedar Waxwing, my front yard, March 2025.Black-and-white Warbler, my backyard, February 2025.Ruby-crowned Kinglet, my backyard, February 2025.Yellow-rumped Warbler, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Cardinal, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Cardinal, my backyard, February 2025.
With the addition of two new birds that I spotted on Sunday at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, my Birds Catalog total now is 120. The two newcomers came from high and low.
I decided to make the most of what has been rare January sunshine and hit up both Orlando Wetlands and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Sort of a birding doubleheader. But I hit the Daily Double for these trips.
When I heard some flamingos were spotted next to the road to Playalinda Beach, I drove over to see if they might be close enough for some photos. But …
