Busy week and I fell behind on my wildlife postings - so time to get another one up now!  The following were taken across two different days, January 16th and January 21st.  The first batch finish off some shots taken up at Peaceful Waters wetlands on MLK day, then over to my local wetlands spots to finish off that day, then the following weekend returning to Wakodahatchee and Green Cay wetlands.All shots taken with the A6600 and the FE 200-600mm G OSS combo, handheld.  For the first few shots at Peaceful Waters, I also had the 1.4x teleconverter mounted as I was trying to shoot some of the birds far on the other side of the pond from me.  All shots are posted at 2400 pixels on the long side if you view them in original size:A female northern shoveler, staying way out in the distance...shot with the 1.4x TCIn my last post, I had a shot of a very distant and heavily cropped male ring-necked duck - a very rare sighting for me.  When I swung back around to the open water, he was even farther away and trying to nap with his head in his feathers, but I took another shot with the 1.4x TCOne more shot with the 1.4x TC as I was leaving Peaceful Waters - this green heron was considerably closer and didn't need the TC, but I didn't feel like taking it off and just shot him with it still on.I then went to my local wetlands - and off in the distance about 300 feet away this red-shouldered hawk was just looking out from a dead tree - I liked the distant shot and the look of the tree branches.A yellow-rumped warbler popping up on a branch to look around for bugs to sneak up onThe red-winged blackbirds are beginning to gather - this female was perched on a reed as she was looking for a good spot to hide her nest.  As we go into late February/early March, they will start building their basket nests and laying eggs.Closeup of the intense least bittern, as it stalks along the water's edge to sneak up on fishA wider shot of the whole least bitternAmazing what a difference light makes!  The same least bittern shot in direct sunlight at ISO100, but as she walked along she moved into a heavy patch of shadow in the reeds, and the direct light was gone, replaced by greyish shadow and ISO 3,200!I headed back out the following weekend, and started off my day by getting a shot of the elusive sora, stalking through the reedsNearby. a lovely male common yellowthroat appeared out of the reeds for just a second before plunging back down into the coverNot an uncommon bird at all here, but for some reason the past 6 months I've been constantly hearing the mournful loud call of the limpkins, but not spotting any.  Finally, one went flying past meA snowy egret doing some attack fishing in a shallow patch of water between the reedsThe silent grey ghost, cruising through the grey waters.  The shot almost looks B&W - except the eyes give away the hint of color.  The greyish colors of the alligator, and the open water reflecting heavily overcast skies, gave it that monotone lookOne more sneaky fella - the grey catbird, peeking out from behind a palm frond down on the dark forest floor.  I tend to hear these birds far more often than see them, with their mewing calls echoing around the dense brush.Comments, questions, and critique always welcomed and encouraged!

I almost missed this post!  I love seeing the results of your photo expeditions!  It must be nice to have a nearby wetlands to explore and photograph.  Judging from some of your past posts, you come pretty close to alligators (not something we see in Northern California).Jim

Another great post!I had a chance to go to Green Cay today after a two-year hiatus at about 5-6pm. It was unusually quiet as far as wildlife compared to my past visits (and very few photographers).From your pictures I can tell that's not the case :), but I was wondering if there are any changes you have noticed in the past few years. I assume we are still in season. Maybe I didn't look around carefully enough!Wakohadatchee was as usual - dominated by wood storks (btw as you probably know, wasnt the case 5-10 years ago).Anyway thanks for your very informative posts.Matt

NorCal Jim wrote:I almost missed this post! I love seeing the results of your photo expeditions! It must be nice to have a nearby wetlands to explore and photograph. Judging from some of your past posts, you come pretty close to alligators (not something we see in Northern California).JimThank you Jim.  Was surprised to see this post back up after a month - very much appreciate the kind words.For me, one of the biggest perks of living in Florida is the abundant and nearby wildlife - it at least partially makes up for the nuclear hot and soaking wet air most of the year!

agentsmith wrote:Another great post!I had a chance to go to Green Cay today after a two-year hiatus at about 5-6pm. It was unusually quiet as far as wildlife compared to my past visits (and very few photographers).Green Cay has been a bit quieter this winter as it's been so warm - other than two brief cold spells.  But there's still plenty to see - it just takes walking slow and looking close - much of the bird and reptile life is just staying more hidden in the reeds and trees.From your pictures I can tell that's not the case :), but I was wondering if there are any changes you have noticed in the past few years. I assume we are still in season. Maybe I didn't look around carefully enough!It's been fairly steady over the past 5-6 years - but not as active as it once was 10+ years ago - when we had bigger and longer cold spells.  But there have been some excellent rare sightings each year - this year was no exception so far...so it's still well worth a few laps for me each weekend.Wakohadatchee was as usual - dominated by wood storks (btw as you probably know, wasnt the case 5-10 years ago)Yeah - Wako is always on fire this time of year with nesting birds - the woodies definitely started taking the place over - but the great egrets, tricolored herons, cattle egrets, and glossy ibis are all nesting too right now and quite a few of them, plus the great blue herons, anhingas, and cormorants all nested a few months earlier so many have already hatched, some already grown and flown the nest.  Green herons, black-necked stilts, least bitterns should all start nesting over the next month or so - they're usually a little later than the others.

Thanks Justin, much appreciated!