Looking at the calendar and the thermometer, you’d think we’re a long way from bird migration season in Florida, but it’s already here. Just look at Barn Swallows.
These cute cobalt-and-tan birds are long-distance migrants who have been making a stop at Lake Apopka as they get ready to head to Central and South America for winter.
“Barn Swallows fly from North American breeding grounds to wintering areas in Central and South America,” AllAboutBirds.org says. “Southbound fall migration may begin by late June in Florida or early July in Massachusetts.”
It’s fun to watch them darting across the sky and skimming along waterways for insects to eat. It’s less fun (let’s say challenging) to try to get a good photograph of a Barn Swallow while its in flight
Fortunately for me, on a recent visit to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, I caught some Barn Swallows resting near a bridge – making the photography easier.
