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More to see at UCF than just the Knights? How about these birds

Roger Simmons, June 22, 2023August 5, 2023

UCF is one of my favorite places to spend time in the fall, cheering on the Knights football team with my family and friends. But it’s also become a place I like to go to in the spring and early summer, thanks to the variety of birds that call the UCF Arboretum home.

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Meeting an Eastern Bluebird family at UCF Arboretum

Roger Simmons, June 22, 2023August 5, 2023

I drove almost 2 hours to a preserve in Hillsborough County to see my Eastern Bluebird. Little did I realize there was a family of Eastern Bluebirds about 15 minutes from my house at the UCF Arboretum.

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Sometimes you look for birds but end up with deer, squirrel and rabbit

Roger Simmons, June 20, 2023August 5, 2023

While the birds seemed to be preparing for some upcoming stormy weather, I found out that others at the UCF Arboretum were going about their usual routines.

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American Oystercatchers: Meeting a special family

Roger Simmons, May 30, 2023August 11, 2023

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.

Across Florida

My red, white and blue birds on Memorial Day

Roger Simmons, May 29, 2023June 13, 2023

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.

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Pictures: Northern Parula

Roger Simmons, May 25, 2023August 11, 2023

Photos I took of some Northern Parulas, who were at Orlando Wetlands Park in May 2023.

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Take 2: Another chance at Northern Parula

Roger Simmons, May 23, 2023June 13, 2023

It took an emergency plane landing (really!), but I got another chance to photograph a Northern Parula — the nemesis bird I posted about recently.

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Second chance: Shots that didn’t make it before

Roger Simmons, May 23, 2023June 13, 2023

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.

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One of my favorites: Red-winged Blackbird

Roger Simmons, May 23, 2023June 13, 2023

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.

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Remembering Roseate Spoonbills this season

Roger Simmons, May 21, 2023June 13, 2023

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.