The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.There are a handful of images here which were captured on my 6 February 2013 visit to the venue in the remaining light of the day. Selected images are also presented from another late afternoon visit the following day. As images in this blog are typically presented in chronological order, those toward the end of this article were captured at the beginning of my third visit to Six Mile Cypress Lake this winter on 11 February, again a late afternoon visit.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Pied-billed Grebe with American Coot above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern 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.Most interesting, I found a pair of Caspian Tern feeding at the venue. The tern behavior I initially thought involving an immature individual seeking sustenance from its parent led to the comment by Hemant Kishan advising that it might involve behavior of mature birds. It was good fortune to observe this tern species that are more likely to be seen at the beaches. However, the Caspian Tern has been personally observed even further inland at STA5 at opportune times. The feeding behavior of the terns resulted in my attempt to capture as much action as possible. Therefore many images of the Caspian Tern are presented.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern 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 Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.Waders that can be routinely found in the surf of the Gulf or virtually anywhere in Florida where there is water remain prolific at this venue. There were two bird species seen extremely briefly as they flew by me too quickly where I remain unsure of their identification. Tom Obrock advised me of his visit to this venue 21 February noting observation of American Bittern, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow. The Grasshopper Sparrow will be a lifer for me when I get a photo of it. Tom confirmed the AMBI I thought I had seen on 18 February.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.Six Mile Cypress Lake is a great stop to make on a birding tour of southwest Florida in the winter months into spring for sure. You may flush something surprising. Be patient and anticipatory. Plan to devote hours (photography in the late afternoon recommended) with Six Mile Cypress Lake a must see if you are in the area. Keep your hearing acute above the drone of increasing vehicle traffic for calls from the more distant trees on the fringe of the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Tom has advised me he has made two first of season observations of the majestic Swallow-tailed Kite, but the species has eluded me. The kite should be seen with regularity at the Lake in the months ahead.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Common Gallinule 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 Mallard above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Mallard above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Mallard above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.
The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.The Mallard observed very briefly at Six Mile Cypress Lake was lacking the distinctive white neck ring of the drake. I investigated this to determine that the bird seen is a hybrid, though remain unsure of the other lineage it has within it. Closer to home, for those following the blog over the long haul, I have not seen the albino lizard for many months. Its abode in the breezeway has been disrupted by painting maintenance while a Little Blue Heron has stealthily been thinning out the Brown Anole with abandon. The Northern Mockingbird has returned to its favored tree, but is not yet singing from sunset to sunrise.
The Pied-billed Grebe with American Coot 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
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article V
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article VI
