Uploads from Frank Shufelt

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:38:27 -0700

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) breeds in the southern most USA and their range extends through Mexico and Central America. A southern subspecies ranges as far south as southern Brazil and Paraguay.

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks don't behave like other ducks. They used to be called tree ducks because they commonly roost in trees. They are amusing and fun to watch. They may be perched in a tree or sitting on the ground when suddenly a flock of 10 or 20 take to the air and fly in circles and then return to where they began their flight.

This image was taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA.

Male Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:49:35 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

After finding the pair of Least Bitterns (Ixobrychus exilis) at Green Cay Wetlands last Friday, April 26, 2013, Magdalena and I went back two days later to try for some more shots of this elusive bird.

On our return trip during the afternoon, April 28, 2013, we observed the male and female foraging frequently at the water’s edge. I guess that they had an active nest with chicks needing lots of nourishment to support their rapid growth. Thus we had more opportunities to photograph this species.

We noted that they are very agile foragers seldom missing in their strikes at prey. Here we see the male with his darker plumage during a successful hunt.

The Least Bittern is scientifically classified in the Ardeidae with other bitterns, herons and egrets. It inhabits the same wetlands and marshes as the much larger American Bittern, however, its method of foraging is very different. The Least Bittern stalks its prey and forages while perched among reeds.

The various subspecies of the Least Bittern breed in marshes with dense vegetation in a range that extends from southern Canada to Argentina.

This image of a male Least Bittern was taken at Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, USA.

Female Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:39:55 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

Inspired by images recently posted by several Flickr friends, Magdalena and I decided to go to Green Cay Wetlands last Friday, April 26, 2013, hoping to find the Least Bittern.

The Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) is an elusive bird and camouflages so well that even when in view it is not seen. I was fortunate to have Magdalena with me because this bird did not escape her keen eyes. I would have never seen it without her help.

The Least Bittern is scientifically classified in the Ardeidae with other bitterns, herons and egrets. It inhabits the same wetlands and marshes as the much larger American Bittern, however, its method of foraging is very different. The Least Bittern stalks its prey and forages while perched among reeds.

The various subspecies of the Least Bittern breed in marshes with dense vegetation in a range that extends from southern Canada to Argentina.

This image of the female Least Bittern was taken at Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, USA.

Male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:35:17 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of North America's most abundant songbirds. They are commonly seen clinging to the sides of cattails, fireflag and other vertical plant stems much like this male.

This image was taken at Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, USA.

Male Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:05:00 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) breeds in the grasslands and prairies of the central USA and Canada. They winter in the southwestern USA (Arizona, New Mexico and Texas) and south to central Mexico.

This male is in transition to breeding plumage and when complete will be much more attractive, nearly all black with white wing patches.

The Lark Bunting is one of several migrating species of sparrows and buntings that I observed during a week (April 4 - 12, 2013) in Arizona's Sonoran Desert at New River, Arizona about 35 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. Four more species of sparrows are posted below in the comments section,

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) - Feeding Junior

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:01:36 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is the largest North American wren. They average about 20 cm or 8 inches in length. Both genders share the same markings. They inhabit the arid desert regions in the southern parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in the USA. Their range also extends into southern Mexico.

The Cactus Wren is a noisy bird, but a lot less shy than other wrens making them fairly easy to photograph.

This image was taken at New River, Arizona about 35 miles north of Phoenix Arizona.

Male Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:18:31 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Phainopepla or Northern Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) is classified in the Ptilogonatidae family. It is considered a "Silky-flycatcher" and is related to the waxwings of the Bombycillidae family. This bird likes the hot climate of the southwest USA and Mexico. Its range extends north to central California and Utah and south to Central Mexico. The male Phainopepla is glossy black and shows white wing patches that are visible only in flight. The female is gray and shows a light gray wing patch in flight.

The Phainopepla feeds on berries, small insects and fruits.

This image was taken in the Sonoran Desert at New River, Arizona, USA, about 35 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona.

Male Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:38:48 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii) is a common non-migratory ground-feeding bird that inhabits the desert regions of the southwestern USA and northern Mexico.

The Gambel's Quail can be confused with very similar California Quail. The black spot on the lower breast of the male Gambel's Quail is absent on the California Quail. Also; in desert habitat one would expect to find only the Gambel's Quail.

This bird rarely flies and is normally seen scurrying rapidly along the ground, spending as little time as possible in the open and hiding under or behind bushes. However; at dawn males can be seen perched above the ground and exposed as shown here while calling for their mate.

This image of the male was taken in the Sonoran Desert at New River, Arizona about 35 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:11:43 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) is sometimes called the Desert Sparrow because its preferred habitat is the scrub desert of the southwestern USA and Mexico.

This image was taken in the Sonoran Desert at New River, Arizona, USA, about 35 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona.

Male Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:34:35 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) is a medium-sized woodpecker that is common in its range that is mainly the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and northeastern Mexico. They often build their nest in the saguaro cactus of the desert regions of the southwestern United States. They are also encountered in southeastern California, southern Nevada, and New Mexico.

This woodpecker's habitat consists of low desert scrub typical of the Sonoran Desert.

This image of the male was taken at New River, Arizona about 35 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Juvenile Great Horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:03:56 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

This is a juvenile Great Horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus) and is one of two that were hatched and fledged from the nest in early 2013 at Fort De Soto's north beach. On this day, March 29, 2013, Magdalena and I found both juveniles in a tall pine tree about 200 yards (180 meters) from where the nest was. Mama was in an adjacent tree keeping an eye on the two youngsters.

The Great Horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus) is widely distributed throughout North and South America. There are about 10 subspecies that vary in color. They are non-migratory and resident in their range from the arctic tundra south to Argentina but absent from the amazon basin.

Image taken at Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:55:38 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

This is one of hundreds of Robins that we saw feeding on the fruit of the Brazilan Pepper tree last January 20, 2013, during our unforgettable international meet up with:
Cimarrón Mayor from the Dominican Republic.
elgalopino from Canada.
Huascar Perez from the Dominican Republic.
Marino Gonzalez from the Dominican Republic.
Sergio Bitran M from Chile.
palomino595 my spouse originally from Colombia.

This image was taken on Black Point Wildlife Drive. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Titusville, Florida, USA.

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) 2016

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:56:08 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) is North America's largest sandpiper and is classified in the Scolopacidae with the curlews, wimbrels, godwits, snipes, Sanderlings, and other sandpipers.

The Long-billed Curlew breeds in the grasslands of western and central North America. In winter they travel to the Pacific, southeastern Atlantic, Mexico and Gulf of Mexico coasts. They are common and more numerous in the west.

Populations of the birds were seriously reduced due to hunting during the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. They have since recovered and its status was changed in 2008 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature to Least Concern.

A reliable location for observing this wintering bird in the southeastern US is where this image was taken at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 04:04:30 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) breeds in the Arctic coastal areas of Alaska, Canada and Russia. They fly unbelievable distances in migration as far south as Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Average length about 29 cm or 11.5 inches.

This image shows the bird in winter plumage. By late April they will have a black face, breast and belly with white on the back of head and shoulders.

This image was taken at Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County, Florida, USA.

Male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:46:06 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) is one of many diving ducks and other Anatidae that winter in Florida. The Ring-necked Duck breeds on lakes and ponds in northern North America but January and February are peak months for observing these migrating species on ponds, estuaries and marshes in Florida.

Although difficult to see, this duck is named for the dark cinnamon colored ring around its neck.

Shown here is an image of a male Ring-necked Duck taken in mid-March 2013 at Circle B Bar Preserve in Polk County, Florida, USA.

Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:30:59 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) is a beautiful medium sized tanager that inhabits tropical and sub-tropical zones to about 2,200 meters (7,400 feet) in Colombia, Venezuela, Panama and French Guyana.

This bird is easily identified by its deep crimson color and bright white lower mandible.

Like most tanagers, this bird feeds on invertebrates, fruits and seeds.

This image was taken in San Agustin, Huila, Colombia, South America.

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet - Avoiding Eye Contact

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 06:20:59 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

This Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (Tyrannulus elatus) was avoiding eye contact but by doing so it afforded me the ability to catch a piece of the yellow crown and that enabled me to identify this bird. The Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (Tyrannulus elatus) is a small flycatcher that is found from Costa Rica south to northern South America. Its range extends south to French Guyana and northern Brazil on the Atlantic and to Peru on the Pacific.

The Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (Tyrannulus elatus) at about 10.5 cm (4.25 inches) is a very small bird.

This image was taken in February, 2013, about 5 km north of Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia, South America.

Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:55:08 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

I started the day at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. After locating and photographing one of the juvenile Great Horned Owls at the park’s North Beach, I found conditions on the beach too windy and challenging. That’s why I decided to head inland to Circle B Bar Preserve in Polk County, Florida. As I was traveling north on US Route 17 just south of Bartow, I saw that familiar sign "Great Florida Birding Trail" indicating a right turn. It was still early, not yet noon, and my intention was to arrive at Cricle B to catch the late afternoon light. There was ample time to explore new destinations, so I took the right turn and in one mile I arrived at Mosaic Peace River Park in Polk County, Florida. There, in the flood plain of the upper reaches of the Peace River, I followed a boardwalk passing through a forest of tall cypress trees. I was awed by the natural beauty that I found there. This must be a representation of what Florida was like before European colonization. What impressed me most was the number of Northern Parulas that I heard singing all around me. I had never seen more than one or two Northern Parulas at a time and here they were in great numbers, not in flocks but in a patchwork of small neighboring territories, a pair in each territory.

I consider the Northern Parula one of our most beautiful woodland species. It was truly wonderful to enter this tiny sample of paradise surrounded by these wonderful birds. But there were more than Northern Parulas in this forest. It was a birder's delight. I also encountered four species of woodpeckers, several other species of warblers, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinal, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, etc. This Northern Parula was the only bird that I photographed during this visit. It was the spiritual experience and a sense of being in harmony with nature that I enjoyed more than pursuing birds with a camera.

The Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) breeds in the forests of eastern North America in a range that extends from central Florida to southern Canada. They winter in southern Florida, the Caribbean, southern Mexico and Central America.

Taken at Peace River Park near Fort Meade, Florida, USA.

Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:53:20 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The Marbled Godwit ia a large attractive wader or shore bird that is classified in the Scolopacidae that includes the godwits, sandpipers, curlews and snipes. The Marbled Godwit has a long two-toned bill, pink at top and black at the tip with a slight upward curve. The Marbled Godwit on average is about 45 cm (18 inches) tip of bill to tail.

The Marbled Godwit breeds in prairies of south central Canada and north central USA. They winter along Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Gulf of Mexico and as far south as Panama. In Colombia there has been only one recorded sighting of 2 birds near Cartagena in December 1969.

The Marbled Godwit forages on mudflats and marshes. They feed on small crustaceans, insects and parts of aquatic plants,

This image was taken at Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County, Florida, USA.

Male House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

nobody@flickr.com (Frank Shufelt) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:13:00 -0700

Frank Shufelt posted a photo:

The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is native to western North America. The Great Plains of the central US formed a barrier that prevented their spread across the continent. However; a few caged birds were released near New York City in the 1940s and the House Finch has since been spreading up and down the east coast of the US.

I remember seeing this bird frequently during the 1970s when I resided in New England. They were at that time considered an unwelcome invasive species because they were displacing the similar but more beautiful Purple Finch. In their defense they sing beautifully and also displace the less attractive European House Sparrow.

As of the year 1990 the House Finch had spread as far south as the northern Florida border. I guess they have now arrived in South Florida. This was my first sighting of this species in the Miami area. I suspect that they will be showing up more frequently as time goes on.

Taken in Miami Lakes, Florida, USA on March 24, 2013.