Six Mile Cypress Lake: Mid Winter Part II

Six Mile Cypress Lake has proven itself to be a magnet for birds even at a time I would consider less than favorable with the lake's water level relatively high.

The Wood Stork above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Please do not confuse this venue with the lake adjacent to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve at Penzance Boulevard. Differentiate the locations of these two lakes which are both on the fringe of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve by utilizing the links to maps in the blog. The images presented in this winter series at the Lake thus far are from 6 February 2013.

The Wood Stork above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

The Anhinga 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.

The Cattle 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 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.

Waterfowl were relatively few in number compared to those observed earlier at Domestic Avenue Ponds nearby. It was interesting to observe numerous Pied-billed Grebe in their routine. The grebes are able to submerge in a sinking fashion without concern for their buoyancy. Once the birds go under, they may travel great distances before they reemerge. The grebes are showing breeding plumage.

The Glossy Ibis 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 Ring-billed Gull 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 Glossy Ibis with White Ibis 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.

Although I see the sought after Roseate Spoonbill by visitors to the area most frequently at Bunche Beach Preserve, a solitary individual of the species would make a flyover without any apparent intent of landing. This countered the behavior of many other waders that made their way west at sunset that circled the lake at the least before deciding to move on.

The Tricolored Heron 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 Snowy Egret with 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 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 Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

It was my good fortune to observe two dozen or more Glossy Ibis with a few that chose to make landfall at close range allowing my better documentation of the species. A pleasant surprise was the arrival of a pair of Caspian Tern that appeared very late. Their behavior was intriguing as I am not exactly sure of the facts.

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 Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

The Roseate Spoonbill 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.

It appeared that only one of the Caspian Tern was diving for fish. The bird engaged in that feeding behavior was successful after several attempts. The other tern was extremely vocal which leads me to believe that it may have been immature as opposed to a mate. There certainly wasn't the exchange of the catch in flight as the hunter devoured the fish after maneuvering its position in the bill. The Forster's Tern has been the most animated thus far observed in how it deals with its catch.

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.

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 Cattle Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

A good alternative to watching a Hollywood movie that may have cost a hundred million dollars is to visit this venue devoting your equivalent time in observing evolution hundreds of millions of years in the making.

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.

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