Take a cloudy, rainy day and add in some black-and-dark-gray male Sail Kites, and your get an incredible landscape to photograph.
That’s the opportunity that presented itself when I visited Osceola County looking for endangered Snail Kites. I was going to call off the attempt because of the poor weather, but I am glad I didn’t.
Seeing these birds on an overcast, drizzly day added a moody feel to the photos. When the sun did pop out, I was also able to get some photos of the kites feeding.
Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.Male Snail Kite, Osceola County, September 2025.
This year, I’ve been trying to explore different areas – including Gator Creek, East Gator Creek and Biolab roads. They offer a great habitat for wading birds and more.
This protected area of Florida scrub land is nestled between some subdivisions and a self-storage business, but it’s the perfect habitat for Florida Scrub-Jays.
Over the course of the past three days, I visited three of my favorite birding spots: Orlando Wetlands (twice), Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The Belted Kingfishers I photographed on Friday sort of stole all my attention, but I did get to take…