A Full-time Life

FLAMINGO CAMPGROUND, BUT NO FLAMINGO

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As some of you who follow Florida birding sites know, a wild American Flamingo has been spotted recently here in our area of Southwest Florida (Lee County).  Alas, we have not been lucky enough to see  it.   Staying in the Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park is the closest to that elusive bird that we've come.    Definitely not quite the same.   

Of course, the Everglades is a different part of the State, so we weren't really looking for the flamingo and didn't expect to see it.  And we definitely weren't the least bit disappointed with the birds we did see.   Maybe not such exotic species,  but we were happy.    Today's pictures are of a couple of kinds of raptors.

 

 

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 This handsome red-shouldered hawk posed beautifully….

 

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 … until he got tired of showing off and went to sleep.

 

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Around this campground, it seemed like there were ospreys on every tree and snag.   

It's good to see them doing well.

 

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 Someone came by while I was taking pictures of the nesting pair and asked if I knew what that huge bird was.   That made me smile to myself.  It  isn't often I can pretend to be an expert.   These guys are pretty easy to identify.  I'm sure those strangers won't have any trouble the next time they see one and then they can pretend to be a real birder too.

 

 

LINKING TO: SATURDAY CRITTERS (thank you Eileen);  to RATHER B' BIRDING (thanks Anni);   to MOSAIC MONDAY (thank you Judith) and to NATURE NOTES (thank you MIichelle)

 

 

We appreciate all visitors and commenters! Thank you.

46 responses to “FLAMINGO CAMPGROUND, BUT NO FLAMINGO”

  1. Michelle RW

    Hi Sallie… You get to see and photograph some of the best birds… Regarding a comment you left on my blog.. When I was getting my special ed degree autism was not even really talked about. Now there is so much study going on and I do try to keep up as my step-granddaughter has autism.. Michelle

  2. David Gascoigne

    May I say, with great respect Sallie, that the bird you refer to above as a Red-tailed Hawk is in fact a Red-shouldered Hawk.

  3. Debbie

    looks like a great spot for viewing some magnificent birds!!!

  4. Eden Hills

    These are great captures!

  5. Lee Ann L.

    I adore birds; but, I am not a true birder either. I can identify a few by sight; but, due to my deafness, it is rare to be able to confirm by hearing… I love your collage of the hawk.

  6. Donna@Gardens Eye View

    What a terrific spot and seeing these birds is a treat…especially the ospreys.

  7. Cynthia

    Wonderful photos of those Osprey! We used to see them often on Lake Erie, but they’ve been few and far between the last few years. . .how lucky you got to see a pair! My son lives in Cape Coral, and I visited him last year. I was amazed at the many species of birds that were everywhere, there. Hoping to visit in the next few months again, and this time, I’ve been promised a trip to the Everglades. I’m visiting from Judith’s Lavender Cottage blog.

  8. riitta k

    Fantastic!

  9. Halcyon

    Great shots of these beauties!

  10. NatureFootstep

    seem to be windy day. Judging from the ospreys “hairdo”
    re the bridge. Not easy to photograph the bridge in summer. It is all overgrown 🙁

  11. Rajesh

    Fantastic shots of birds.

  12. artmusedog and carol

    Gorgeous photography of our ‘feathered friends’ and great presentation!
    Happy Week to you ~ ^_^

  13. craftygreenpoet

    The red tailed hawk is very handsome! Ospreys are great birds, we get them over here too.

  14. Gunilla

    Wonderful sightings! Raptors are handsome birds.

  15. Linda

    You are an outstanding nature photographer. You should sell your work!!!
    Linda

  16. Eileen

    Hello Sallie, sorry you missed seeing the Flamingo. I do love the hawk images and the osprey. They are both awesome birds and great to see any time. Wonderful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week!

  17. DeniseinVA

    Very interesting about the wild flamingo. Your photos of the hawk and osprey are outstanding!

  18. Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'

    Sorry I’m late getting around to send along my thanks to you this weekend. I was gone most of yesterday afternoon….birding, of course!! Thanks for joining in by adding your valued link of your fantastic post!!
    To see a flamingo in the wild would be fantastic!!!

  19. Ruby

    Lovely captures Sallie…….they are indeed handsome birds. The osprey looks quite regal. A red-tailed hawk posing was a gift I think!
    Happy Sunday!

  20. Gattina

    They look so beautiful and proud !

  21. Annie

    I like a lot the sleeping hawk ! To be beautiful and admired is so tiring…

  22. Lady Fi

    Wow – magnificent shots.

  23. Pat

    Hi Sallie! Great photos of those beauties.

  24. Chandra@GreenComotion

    That’s a very handsome Red Shouldered Hawk – awesome find and photos.
    I have not seen an Osprey in the wild yet, so I definitely enjoyed seeing your photos of them.
    Have a Beautiful Weekend, Sallie!
    Peace 🙂

  25. Judith @ Lavender Cottage

    You’ve had great luck capturing birds with your camera. I was walking the dog around 4:30 this afternoon and came across a herd of ibis coming at me down the street. They moved off to a lawn and I stopped counting at 80. They’d be great at home for the people losing their lawns to chinch bugs and grubs.
    Would love to see the elusive flamingo.

  26. Lavender Dreams

    I had someone think an osprey was an eagle. I’m still learning to id many of the birds we see all the time though. You got some wonderful photos! And what gorgeous weather we’re having this weekend! Hugs, Diane

  27. Ida P. Krause

    Well I think seeing raptors like the hawk and osprey are quite exciting. Sure looked to be windy in thos osprey shots as their feathers were quite ruffled.

  28. Al

    Great bird shots – I especially love the hawk. They’re impressive creatures to see in the wild.

  29. EG CameraGirl

    It always makes me feel good inside to ospreys and hawks! 😉

  30. TexWisGirl

    a real birder. 🙂

  31. fun60

    The photos of the hawk are excellent. To see an osprey in the UK would be a rare event although they do breed in the North of Scotland. Thank you so much for your generous comments on my blog. I have fallen behind at the moment trying to comment on followers’ blogs and feel very guilty about it. Greatly appreciate the time you take to read and comment.

  32. Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'

    I’m always thrilled when I see an osprey…you have some beautiful photos. And to have the hawk pose for you…marvelous.

  33. Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES

    Kind of like when they name a place something like Lake Shore Drive and there is no lake! I’d love to see a flamingo in the wild.

  34. Daniela L.

    My darling Sallie,
    I’m always so amazed by your stunning photographs, it’s such a pleasure to take these leaps with you in the most pristine Nature !
    With so much gratitude I wish you all my best for the weekend to come,
    sending a lot of love to you,
    xoxo
    Dany

  35. Birgitta

    Wonderful bird photos!
    Ps: Glad you like my moose header. Thank you 🙂

  36. Barb

    Some great bird photos – these birds look mad though. I wouldn’t want to tangle with them!

  37. ellen b

    Ha! Glad you could be a bird expert on this day! Fabulous birds! Great shots!

  38. Mama Zen

    Gorgeous shots!

  39. nancy chan

    Great photos. These are big birds!

  40. Penny

    These are great photos, Sallie. I think I now might be able an osprey, should I see one way up here, by your pictures. Thanks.

  41. Sondra-SC

    I spent some time around that same nest! …THE one IM ticked over missing was the Smooth Billed Ani Im still wrestling with the disappointment of not being able to stop due to time constraints, it was and is still being reported at Loxahatchee NWR on the Marsh Trail and there were 2 snail kites reported also those not rare but would have been a new bird for me. The Flamingo was still there on the 17th so you still have a chance of seeing it. (according to ebird alert)
    Really love the sleeping RS hawk…very cool shot!!

  42. Lowell

    You did really well photographing these birds. I’ve never been able to get a good hawk picture; maybe that’s because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A lot of people confuse ospreys with bald eagles, especially at a distance. Sounds like you had a great time in Flamingo!

  43. cranberrymorning

    Great osprey photos, but the sleeping hawk is my favorite.

  44. Gayle atMuldoon

    Wonderful shots. I’m still trying to get an elusive hawk in our area.

  45. Margaret Birding For Pleasure

    Love the birds you came upon and managed to get lovely shots of them. Have a lovely weekend.

  46. Hazel

    Delightful! The everglades seem perfect for photographical hikes! I am definately living in the wrong place😊.

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