White Ibis
The White Ibis has a spectacularly appealing appearance from head to toe, this one seen foraging on a beach in Florida. This is a bird of the deep south, though rarely one confused individual can wander further north. I always think of the species around this time of year after seeing a juvenile in my hometown in Connecticut in December years ago! Do you have more long-legged waders than usual in your area as we enter the holiday season? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreBrown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is probably the most rare bird that my Shetland Sheepdog has on his actually seen Connecticut life list as one drifted over our heads, to his amazement, a few days after Superstorm Sandy at Stratford Point in Stratford, Connecticut in 2012. He has been around some cool rarities but this is a bird he really saw as he locked his eyes on the low and massive glider circling over us, flying back to the southwest and out of sight. This particular pelican was photographed in Florida, a place they would much rather be…especially now! Scott Kruitbosch...
Read MoreBlack Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
One of the most unique and unmistakable North American birds, the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) is an incredible waterbird with a massive bill used to scoop fish from the water while in flight. Watching a Black Skimmer feeding, using the length of the bill’s lower mandible to penetrate the water’s surface to snag prey, can seem rather surreal. Evolution and adaptation can certainly be unexpected and staggeringly effective. In this case this bird was playing with a leaf! Perhaps it was good foraging practice during this warm Florida vacation.
Read MoreCaspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
This Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) was photographed in Florida by Twan but it could end up being one of the birds on Lake Erie soon enough. The massive tern, with its huge red bill and powerful wings, may make its way north to the shores of Chautauqua County in a month! Until then it will have to work on filling in that black cap.
Read MoreWillets in Waves
These Willets were enjoying the warm waters of Florida’s western shore, resting and preening when Twan photographed them. The birds certainly must be pleased to be in the Gulf of Mexico as opposed to say, the Gulf of Maine right now, but they will be back here soon.
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