St. Petersburg, FL - 20-25 Nov 2014
 |
| Royal Tern |
Robin and I flew from Detroit to Orlando for a weekend visit w/ my baby sister, Dr. Michelle Jourdan. Robin and Shell had signed up for a Women's Run 5K/half-marathon, but the event was cancelled. Timing wasn't the best for either of us; DA Home Improvement was still a day from finishing the bathroom remodel when we left, and work has been extremely busy. But, as we prepare to head home after the weekend here in St. Petersburg, we can both say that the trip was needed and well worth it.
11/21/14
11/21/14
We spent Thursday night in Orlando, then drove south to St Pete's on Friday morning. Turkey Vultures filled the skies, while Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawks, Loggerhead Shrikes, and White Ibis were seen along the roadsides. Once in St. Petersburg we checked into the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel. Talk about ritzy; everywhere we look there are black or silver BMW, Audi, Lexus, Cadillac. And we arrive in a bright red POS Chevy Cruze...
We were early for check-in, so we headed to the pool to relax before lunch.
I grabbed the camera when dozens of Fish Crows filled the skies overhead. They'd been roosting atop one of the nearby high-rises and flew over en mass. Lunch at Al Fresco's, a nap, then a visit w/ Shell, before dinner at Moon Under Water just up the street from the hotel.
I grabbed the camera when dozens of Fish Crows filled the skies overhead. They'd been roosting atop one of the nearby high-rises and flew over en mass. Lunch at Al Fresco's, a nap, then a visit w/ Shell, before dinner at Moon Under Water just up the street from the hotel.
 |
| Fish Crow |
Greater St Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, US
Nov 21, 2014 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
10.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Incidental sightings
10 species
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 12
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) 12
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 12
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 24
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 6
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 4
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 4
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 12
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) 12
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Nov 21, 2014 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
10.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Incidental sightings
10 species
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 12
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) 12
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 12
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 24
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 6
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 4
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 4
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 12
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) 12
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Saturday morning began with a run down to the pier. White Ibis were foraging in the park to our right while small flocks of Boat-tailed Grackles, Laughing Gulls, and Brown Pelicans worked the shoreline and bay to our left. While running along the pier I spotted a Common Loon just a few yards out. It was cool and humid so the roadway was very slippery, which made it easier to scan for birds while we ran.
Michelle arrived shortly before 9 am so we headed south to Fort De Soto Park. The marina was our first stop where we spent a few minutes digiscoping Royal Terns, Sandwich Terns, Forster's Terns, and more Fish Crows. Ruddy Turnstones, Spotted Sandpipers, and Snowy Egrets also competed for our attention.
 |
| Great Egret |
 |
| Laughing Gull and Snowy Egret doing a quick-step |
 |
| Royal Tern |
 |
| Fish Crow |
 |
| Sanderling |
 |
| Black-bellied Plover |
 |
| Dunlin |
 |
| Tricolored Heron |
 |
| Semipalmated Plover |
We spotted more Willets, Green Heron, White Ibis, and Snowy Egrets in the lagoon, but bypassed them for a bigger prize: Black Skimmers!
 |
| Willet |
 |
| Black Skimmer |
A large flock of Black Skimmers were roosting at the tip of the lagoon, so we headed toward them for some photo opps. They rose up a few times, but quickly settled down after circling overhead. It was windy, so we unfortunately had to settle for a lot of rump shots.
An American Kestrel was perched on the overhead wires while we drove back toward the main entrance, so I pulled over and got some nice digiscoped images from 30' away.
We were happily surprised to see a pair of Magnificent Frigatebirds (adult male and female) soaring overhead as we drove out of the park, but I was unable to pull over due to traffic. Ughhh!
Billy's Seafood Restaurant was our lunch destination, which was wonderful! We sat on the balcony and had unobstructed views of the lagoon below, so I spent lunch photographing the dozen Snowy Egrets, several Great Egrets, Anhinga, Turkey Vultures, American White Pelican, White Ibis, Osprey, and a Cooper's Hawk while enjoying Angry Orchard, blackened Mahi-Mahi Fish Tacos, and great company. Well done, Sis!
We then headed back to see her house while a neighbor's feeder was being ravaged by a flock of Monk Parakeets, Turtle Doves, and Rock Pigeons! Nanday Parakeets appear regularly, but not this day. Durn!
11/23/2014
I had taken over 1200 pics with the Nikon 1 V3 yesterday, but only 34 with the Sony? And all were blurry? Something was wrong. I spent some time with the Sony's menu and found that the camera was somehow switched to 10-second self-timer. Unbelievable... I made sure to check the diopter and focus-mag settings before retrying. Meanwhile I missed a flyby Red-shouldered Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and several Turkey Vultures. Common Gallinules and American Coot were nearby subjects but lighting and vegetation limited photo opps, so we headed back to town to meet Shell at The Avenue to watch the Lions get embarrassed by the Patriots.
11/24/2014
Monday morning brought heavy fog and extreme humidity to St. Petersburgh. Robin and I went for an early morning run along the pier, passing Great Blue Herons and Brown Pelicans quietly standing next to a fisherman waiting for scraps. A Tricolored Heron was among several Snowy Egrets and a Green Heron on the beach. White Ibis littered the park; they were everywhere this morning. We were soaked.
We cleaned up afterward and checked out of the Vinoy early enough to drive north to the town of Dunedain, FL for a visit. From there we drove to Lakeland for lunch, then to the Circle B Bar Reserve for some afternoon birding.
I then headed out to look for a Purple Gallinule but several locals reported none seen today. I consoled myself with photographing Common Gallinules, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons, and Sandhill Cranes. Several Limpkin were in the area but a challenge to photograph given their cover.
I happened upon a small flock of Common Gallinules out in the marsh and was surprised to find one young bird using a turtle as a perch. The poor guy was pinned in such a way that it couldn't push off with its arms or legs, so the gallinule stayed put until chased off by one of its own trying to be "King of the Mountain". The lost shot of the day was a tossup between the Red-shouldered Hawk scared off by a low-flying helicopter and a Red-headed Woodpecker flushed from an open snag in broad daylight (didn't see it until it flew across the dike in front of me). Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were congregating far out in the marsh, so I had to settle for some flight shots as they hopped from puddle to open puddle. Likewise, several Glossy Ibis made only short, temporary appearances.
The Short-tailed Hawk that flew over the car as we left the reserve was a great ending to a nice birding weekend. Robin and I headed back to Orlando for an overbite stay before flying home on Tuesday. Can't wait to see Buffy and Asia, and the new bathroom!
 |
| American Oystercatcher |
When I wasn't trying to photograph the skimmers I turned my attention to the half-dozen American Oystercatchers along their perimeter. A single Short-billed Dowitcher, six Willet, a Least Sandpiper, Little Blue Heron, and a Yellow-crowned Night Heron were also seen; the latter two across the lagoon in the mangroves.
The highlight (not) of our walk back to the car was seeing a 70-yr old, extremely white, overweight man wearing a yellow-string thong bikini. Must. Never. Close. Eyes. Again!
We were happily surprised to see a pair of Magnificent Frigatebirds (adult male and female) soaring overhead as we drove out of the park, but I was unable to pull over due to traffic. Ughhh!
Billy's Seafood Restaurant was our lunch destination, which was wonderful! We sat on the balcony and had unobstructed views of the lagoon below, so I spent lunch photographing the dozen Snowy Egrets, several Great Egrets, Anhinga, Turkey Vultures, American White Pelican, White Ibis, Osprey, and a Cooper's Hawk while enjoying Angry Orchard, blackened Mahi-Mahi Fish Tacos, and great company. Well done, Sis!
 |
| Great Egret |
 |
| Snowy Egret |
 |
| Laughing Gull |
 |
| Anhinga |
 |
| Osprey |
 |
| White Ibis |
We then headed back to see her house while a neighbor's feeder was being ravaged by a flock of Monk Parakeets, Turtle Doves, and Rock Pigeons! Nanday Parakeets appear regularly, but not this day. Durn!
 |
| Monk Parakeet |
Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas, Florida, US
Nov 22, 2014 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
12.0 mile(s)
41 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (fulgens) (Dendrocygna autumnalis fulgens) 4
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 6
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 4
American Coot (Fulica americana) 6
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 2
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) 2
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) 6
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 2
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 4
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) 24
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 4
Willet (Tringa semipalmata) 6
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 12
Sanderling (Calidris alba) 16
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) 2
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 24
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) 60
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) 12
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) 12
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) 12
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) 2
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 1
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 6
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 1
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 2
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 6
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 6
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) 2
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 2
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) 6
Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday) 6
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 4
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 12
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 8
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Nov 22, 2014 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
12.0 mile(s)
41 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (fulgens) (Dendrocygna autumnalis fulgens) 4
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 6
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 4
American Coot (Fulica americana) 6
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 2
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) 2
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) 6
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 2
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 4
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) 24
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 4
Willet (Tringa semipalmata) 6
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 12
Sanderling (Calidris alba) 16
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) 2
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 24
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) 60
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) 12
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) 12
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) 12
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) 2
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 1
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 6
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 1
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 2
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 6
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 6
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) 2
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 2
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) 6
Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday) 6
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 4
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 12
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 8
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
11/23/2014
Sunday morning brought higher temps and winds. Robin and I walked the town of St. Pete's, enjoying breakfast, then a coffee, and some nice conversation with some local gentlemen. We had some time afterward, so Robin and I drove back to Shell's house where Nanday Parakeets were now occupying the feeders, and then to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve to do some birding and address my Sony RX-100 issue.
 |
| Nanday Parakeet |
I had taken over 1200 pics with the Nikon 1 V3 yesterday, but only 34 with the Sony? And all were blurry? Something was wrong. I spent some time with the Sony's menu and found that the camera was somehow switched to 10-second self-timer. Unbelievable... I made sure to check the diopter and focus-mag settings before retrying. Meanwhile I missed a flyby Red-shouldered Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and several Turkey Vultures. Common Gallinules and American Coot were nearby subjects but lighting and vegetation limited photo opps, so we headed back to town to meet Shell at The Avenue to watch the Lions get embarrassed by the Patriots.
 |
| Common Gallinule |
Boyd Hill Nature Park & Lake Maggiore, Pinellas, Florida, US
Nov 23, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
6 species
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 6
American Coot (Fulica americana) 6
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday) 6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Nov 23, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
6 species
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 6
American Coot (Fulica americana) 6
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday) 6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
St. Petersburg Pier, Pinellas, Florida, US
Nov 24, 2014 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Hot, humid
6 species
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) 3
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 3
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 3
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 12
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
We arrived at the reserve just in time to see a small Armadillo in the middle of the road. I took a few photos from inside the car, then got out and digiscoped it from only 20' away. The little guy had its nose in the ground the whole time and stumbled toward me until it was literally at my feet! I had to use the point and shoot to photograph it from ground level.
Nov 24, 2014 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Hot, humid
6 species
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) 3
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 3
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 3
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 12
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
We arrived at the reserve just in time to see a small Armadillo in the middle of the road. I took a few photos from inside the car, then got out and digiscoped it from only 20' away. The little guy had its nose in the ground the whole time and stumbled toward me until it was literally at my feet! I had to use the point and shoot to photograph it from ground level.
 |
| Little Blue Heron |
 |
| Armadillo |
I then headed out to look for a Purple Gallinule but several locals reported none seen today. I consoled myself with photographing Common Gallinules, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons, and Sandhill Cranes. Several Limpkin were in the area but a challenge to photograph given their cover.
 |
| Limpkin |
 |
| Little Blue Heron - Sony RX100 III |
 |
| Green Heron - Sony RX100 III |
 |
| RX100 III |
 |
| Little Blue Heron - Nikon 1 V3 |
 |
| Green Heron - Nikon 1 V3 |
I happened upon a small flock of Common Gallinules out in the marsh and was surprised to find one young bird using a turtle as a perch. The poor guy was pinned in such a way that it couldn't push off with its arms or legs, so the gallinule stayed put until chased off by one of its own trying to be "King of the Mountain". The lost shot of the day was a tossup between the Red-shouldered Hawk scared off by a low-flying helicopter and a Red-headed Woodpecker flushed from an open snag in broad daylight (didn't see it until it flew across the dike in front of me). Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were congregating far out in the marsh, so I had to settle for some flight shots as they hopped from puddle to open puddle. Likewise, several Glossy Ibis made only short, temporary appearances.
 |
| Common Gallinule |
 |
| Glossy Ibis |
The Short-tailed Hawk that flew over the car as we left the reserve was a great ending to a nice birding weekend. Robin and I headed back to Orlando for an overbite stay before flying home on Tuesday. Can't wait to see Buffy and Asia, and the new bathroom!
Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk, Florida, US
Nov 24, 2014 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
8 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) 12
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 6
American Coot (Fulica americana) 6
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 2
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) 2
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) 2
Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) 1
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Nov 24, 2014 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
8 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) 12
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 6
American Coot (Fulica americana) 6
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 2
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) 2
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) 2
Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) 1
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
