Mid-march, a family of Mallard chicks

 

A female Mallard Duck and 7 of her 10 chicks

Jeanne sent a message saying that Swallow-tailed Kites were soaring above the Woodlawn pool and because of Marc's photographs taken in WWS a few weeks ago, she could identify and delight in them with others at the pool. Her message affirms one of my hopes: that we learn, enjoy, and care for this precious Audubon-certified neighborhood

The birds are vociferous, and busy. Many of us pause in our walks to enjoy them. 

The Limpkins continue to nest in this Sabal Palm.

Limpkin sits.

A Tri-Colored Heron was nearby.

On Wildewood Drive, two Mourning Doves courted by preening each other, mated, and more preening.

Pie-billed Grebe on the big pond. Look for a solitary bird that stays offshore.

A Great Crested Flycatcher, a bird I hear and mostly cannot locate in the tree canopy. This time, I have a photo for you!

Palm Warbler (yellow underparts helps distinguish it in this pose from the Pine Warbler) - Pinehurst neighbor Allen and I gazed upward to the point of feeling Warbler neck. So many warblers hopping about. Too fast to photo ID.

 Carolina Wren sang and sang and sang. I sat down to marvel about its unrelenting call.

Those Mallard chicks' first days exploring the pond habitat.

I count 4 pairs of Yellow-Crowned Night Herons at various stages of courtship and nest building.  

Early September sauntering, 2021

A Glossy Ibis. Look at that color.

I delight in observing nesting birds. Nadia clued me on this one. Nestled in the middle of three orchid plants in a Carrotwood Tree sat a female Muscovy Duck. That was about 2 weeks ago.

She continues to sit. Sometimes she takes baths in the pond. 

A bluejay. One looking up. And quiet.

Not like a bunch calling which may mean a raptor or owl is nearby. Sure enough, a Barred Owl. I didn't have my camera. But you remember from these posts.

I'm aware that some don't like to think of snakes in Wildewood. But they are so important to the ecosystem. (For example, they help control the rodent population.) While weeding the butterfly garden I found a shed skin. I immediately gave it to my grandson who shared it at school.

The skin is probably from a non-venomous southern Black Racer snake, a garden friend I occasionally see - our neighborhood's fastest pest control. Besides vermin, Black Racers eat those invasive Cuban frogs according to specialists. Note the round eye, one indicator it's non-venomous.

Summer storms continue. I wonder how many of you, like me, love thunderstorms.

There is one particular bare branch behind Woodlawn. I check it when I walk. Almost always, there is a bird greeting the sunrise. This time it's a Mourning Dove. Did you know, like dogs, doves pant when it's hot? (Other interesting things about doves.)

While walking at dawn in Woodlawn, I took a photo of Pineneedle (the butterfly garden) from the the view of neighbors there.

Same view in 2015. The irrigation house was an eyesore. The HOA would be installing a new pump and filter. When the Board saw this photograph, they said yes to the Grounds Committee request to use plantings to hide the filter. It turned out well.

Pineneedle neighbors enjoy tending the garden and Woodlawn benefits. This reminds me to think of others.

There are 3 native to Florida small trees called Simpson Stoppers blooming right now in the pump/filter butterfly garden. The bees and butterflies love them.

A couple mornings ago, early, I circled behind Tidewater to check the pond. I saw this Wood Stork glide across the reflection of Springlakes. 

Later in the day, off to Anna Maria Island beach. A Royal Tern pair, one with lots to say, the other bowing to the news.

Two birds - two thoughts

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Hope is the thing with feathers. That is the title and first line of an Emily Dickinson poem. I thought of it when I saw a warbler. A Yellow-rumped Warbler's song coming from the tip of a tree slowed my walk and broadened my gaze. 

Then this. Neighbor Nadia texted that a small bird was sitting on her outdoor table. "Come see." 

We confirmed that it is a Mourning Dove fledgling. We did not see any injury. Rather, we saw curiosity and a little bird learning new ways of being in the world.

Chick eventually hop-flew to the garden and then away.

Doves are used as symbols of love, peace, or messengers. How sweet for Nadia to have this visit, to wake and find a reminder of love and peace in her home. 

And that I get to tell you about it.