Early-Summer Florida Birding Tour

Florida's mainly year-round warm climate is especially so in the summer months and thus allows for more elbow room when observing aves wildlife at this time.


The Black-bellied Whistling Duck above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.

Snowbird tourists and winter residents won't be returning in great numbers for several months. This event will coincide with a return of migrating birds from the far reaches of North America. In most cases, the birds will continue a trek further southward while people will stay. On a relatively cool day of late, with thunderstorms keeping the sun at bay, Tom Obrock and I made a multi-County birding tour as far north as Withlocoochie State Forest. Other stops which were a first for me included Power Line Road, Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa, and Celery Fields in Sarasota. Other venues visited with an account of the wildlife seen are described in more detail by Tom here. Many dozens of species of bird were accommodatingly present and I would observe and photograph Red-headed Woodpecker and Mississippi Kite for the first time on this trip at Power Line Road. Tom noted that with a third set of eyes and ears, we should have easily surpassed 100 species of bird encountered while otherwise limited to 89. My thanks to Tom for leading this trip.


The Limpkin above was photographed at Celery Fields (note the several recently deposited pink Apple Snail egg casings at far right) in July 2012.


The Limpkin above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.


The Red-winged Blackbird above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.


The Limpkin above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.


The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.


The Wood Duck above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.


The Least Bittern above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.


The Black-bellied Whistling Duck above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.


The Least Bittern above was photographed at Celery Fields in July 2012.


The Red-shouldered Hawk with juvenile above was photographed at Cockroach Bay Preserve in July 2012.


The Black Tern above was photographed at Cockroach Bay Preserve in July 2012.


The Black Tern with Least Tern above was photographed at Cockroach Bay Preserve in July 2012.


The Black-necked Stilt juvenile above was photographed at Cockroach Bay Preserve in July 2012.


The Red-shouldered Hawk juvenile above was photographed at Lettuce Lake Park in July 2012.


The Little Blue Heron juvenile above was photographed at Lettuce Lake Park in July 2012.


The fishermen above were photographed at Lettuce Lake Park in July 2012.


The Osprey above was photographed at Lettuce Lake Park in July 2012.


The Osprey above was photographed at Lettuce Lake Park in July 2012.


The Red-eyed Vireo above was photographed at Lettuce Lake Park in July 2012.


The Northern Parula above was photographed at Lettuce Lake Park in July 2012.


The Northern Parula above was photographed at Lettuce Lake Park in July 2012.


The Mississippi Kite above was photographed at Power Line Road in July 2012.


The Mississippi Kite above was photographed at Power Line Road in July 2012.


The Mississippi Kite above was photographed at Power Line Road in July 2012.


The Eastern Bluebird above was photographed at Power Line Road in July 2012.


The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Power Line Road in July 2012.


The American Kestrel above was photographed at Power Line Road in July 2012.


The Magnificent Frigatebird with dolphin above was photographed at Fort De Soto Park in July 2012.


The inbound boats above were photographed at Fort De Soto Park in July 2012.


The Gray Kingbird above was photographed at Fort De Soto Park in July 2012.


The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Fort De Soto Park in July 2012.