Finding ducks, other birds at Lake Apopka

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.