‘Baby spoonbills are colloquially known as “tea-spoons”. This nickname refers to their smaller size and underdeveloped, shorter bills compared to adult spoonbills. While officially classified as chicks, “teaspoons” is a widely used term among birdwatchers and photographers to describe them while in the nest.
They just like to jump on things, or each other.
The sun came out and that brings out the Sliders. There were more than I would have thought too. After all it is winter.
I would think the turtles and gators would be out at the same time. Both need the warmth, they are cold blooded. Some Alligators were around, but not near as many as the turtles.
An Eastern Screech Owl was back in a hole we know of out in a wildlife area in the ACE Basin. This hole has been empty for a while, but we still look as we pass by.
This is a red morph of the Screech Owl. About 1/3 are this rofous coloring in the eastern US. There is another Screech Owl territory on a dirt road a few miles from here, that one has been the Gary morph in the past.
They are only about 9 inches (22 centimeters) when fully grown.
Best viewed large.
With luck I also have a shot with his eyes open. Which is actually not a common photo LOL.
It was cold and windy, however the sun was out.
We went down to walk around the local swamp rookery to see who was home. Some Herons, Hawks, and these two below.
A little sun glare on the turtles, the swinging moss didn’t help either. Still a day out in nature is a good thing.
Best viewed large.
Yellow-bellied Slider Turtles.
Crusty old Turtle, with some gator bite marks, on an old wooden ramp, in a swamp.
What more could you want š.
At first I assumed there was a lump of weeds on the turtle shell. After all it is a swamp.
However maybe not. I looked close and I think I have seen this one a few times. It’s a turtle so not like he has a special dimple or birth mark, but…
Magnolia Plantation swamp pond.
Another āinterestingā position for a turtle. Canāt figure out how they get into this. Must be something in the swamp water.
