Although I have occasionally been driving by
Six Mile Cypress Lake with interest since my first visits last year, the images in this article are from my first extensive mid-winter observation.
The Wood Stork with White Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The water level has been receding at this venue as everywhere else there are natural bodies of water not fed by tidal action. With a congregation of wading birds at the southwest corner of the lake I chose to work my way between them and the setting sun. There were initially five Wood Stork among White Ibis and Snowy Egret. While the ibis and egrets flew from the scene one by one, a pair of Wood Stork would replace them. Countless vocal Boat-tailed Grackle were present (about 60) which offered almost as much a distraction as the increased vehicle traffic at the Metro Parkway/ Six Mile Cypress intersection with the extension of Metro Parkway to 41 and Alico Road completed.
The Loggerhead Shrike above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Wood Stork with Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Wood Stork with White Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The immature White Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
With observations from a fifteen foot radius lasting a few hours, I captured about 1800 images attributable mainly to trying to get a better flight shot, but also due to the prolific number of birds seen. When you are perusing the images, be sure to note the Ring-necked Duck which is presented with a white eye ring and greyish secondary tail feathers as observed from the top. These characteristics help distinguish this species from Lesser Scaup when the waterfowl are observed together or individually. The most distant bird observed along the lake's edge was a Great Blue Heron. Its stature compared to all the other birds was impressive.
The Green Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Great Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Wood Stork with White Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Wood Stork with White Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Great Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
As had been observed previously at this venue, there was a stunning overflight of many hundreds of wading birds traveling west toward their roosts as the sun set. Although this venue hasn't offered any rare birds in my many visits, it does offer a multitude of birds which can be photographed with interesting scenery. You are reading the fifth article I have written about this venue. Please see the links below to readily view the other articles which highlight Six Mile Cypress Lake in its dry down near the beginning of the rainy season. A visit to this venue two hours before sunset through sundown is highly recommended.
The Anhinga above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Great Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Great Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Boat-tailed Grackle above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake
Article I
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake
Article II
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake
Article III
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake
Article IV
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