Feature: Domestic Avenue Ponds Part II

The Domestic Avenue Ponds have thus far offered many hours of rewarding wildlife observation with a diverse variety of birds seen in three different habitat types.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

While the land and water surrounding Domestic Avenue is available for sale as undeveloped parcels which will likely become commercial/ industrial in its use, the habitat is currently a magnet for a great diversity of wildlife that crowds into a relatively small area. On one particular morning waiting for the light to improve I picked up over a hundred rusty nails and screws in the cul-de-sac. Be forewarned of this hazard if you make a visit to this venue. Upon parking look to the west over the ponds for the waterfowl. To the east is the prairie habitat with predators often seen flying overhead looking for their next meal.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The unidentified Florida cooter above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup with alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

At the north end of the road is a woodland habitat with decent sized Cypress tree growth among Southern Longleaf pines which attracts songbirds and often seen Bald Eagles perched at sunrise. Certainly the most interesting observations made have been a cat and mouse behavior between the ducks and a resident alligator. The birds were on occasion seemingly aggressive or teasing in their approach to the gator when either in larger numbers or by what appeared to be an experienced and especially bold individual.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Redhead above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Redhead above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The waterfowl with alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Kestrel above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator seemed quite routine in its lying in wait for sustenance while on on occasion observed to leap out of the water as a few birds flew a few feet above it. The alligator is very mobile in the northernmost pond which it seems to favor. It often will disappear for extended periods and reappear several hundred feet from where it had been having stealthily swam underwater to avoid the bird's detection. When visiting this mecca for wildlife observation be at the ready for action which can occur at any time, and don't forget to look skyward for overflights.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Redhead above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Redhead above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck with American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

Please see Domestic Avenue Ponds: Part I.
Please see Domestic Avenue Ponds: Part III.