I photographed a family of American Oystercatchers at Fort DeSoto Park, and I ended up learning a lot about these colorful birds and their interesting backstory.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230529-_MG_2386-e1685634918159.jpg)
My red, white and blue birds on Memorial Day
I spent Memorial Day morning at Fish Hawk Creek Preserve South in Hillsborough County, and I was able to photograph a very patriotic trio of new-to-me birds.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230516-_MG_8639-2.jpg)
Pictures: Northern Parula
Photos I took of some Northern Parulas, who were at Orlando Wetlands Park in May 2023.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230523-_MG_9982-2.jpg)
Take 2: Another chance at Northern Parula
It took an emergency plane landing (really!), but I got another chance to photograph a Northern Parula — the nemesis bird I posted about recently.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230408-_MG_1376-3.jpg)
Second chance: Shots that didn’t make it before
Fortunately for my Facebook friends, I usually only post a few photos there or here. But there are a lot of photos I still liked that just didn’t make the initial cut for one reason or another.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230503-_MG_5371.jpg)
One of my favorites: Red-winged Blackbird
When I see a male Red-winged Blackbird, with his colorful red, yellow and black wings, it’s hard not to stop and take a few pictures. The females are equally intriguing.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230429-_MG_4529-scaled-1.jpg)
Beyond the birds: Some other photos
Birds aren’t the subjects of my photos — just the vast majority of them. So, I thought I would share some of my non-bird photos from this year so far.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230521-20230520-_MG_9149-4.jpg)
Remembering Roseate Spoonbills this season
Back in January, the park was teaming with Roseate Spoonbills who were settling in for the winter. Now it’s May, and only a few Roseate youngsters are hanging around the park.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/100bird.png)
Photographing my 100th bird – who would it be?
The other day I realized I was approaching 100 different birds photographed. After a recount, it turned out I was very, very close – just one bird away from the century mark.
![](https://rogersimmons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230516-_MG_8638-3.jpg)
Victory vs. little nemesis: Northern Parula
I have found there are just some birds that are harder to photograph than others. I call them my nemesis birds, and the Northern Parula was one of them.