Southwest Florida Winter Wildlife: Part II

A highlight of the trip to Celery Fields in Sarasota on 8 January 2014 was of course the battle for an American Coot by two Bald Eagles.

The Bald Eagle with immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The coot was initially taken from the marsh by the adult eagle. It was a mere 29 seconds before control of the coot went to the immature eagle in flight.

The Bald Eagle with immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Bald Eagle with immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Bald Eagle with immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

Although the adult Bald Eagle made a quick maneuver to be the pursuer, it would ultimately fail to regain control of its prospective meal.

The immature Bald Eagle with adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

This behavior between the eagles lasted about 75 seconds in all. The adult Bald Eagle returned from my distant view after it disturbed many Glossy Ibis.

The immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature Bald Eagle with adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

With the conditions to take a wildlife image as bad as they could be, a distant subject, low light, and looking into the light, a flock of Nanday Parakeets made an appearance.

The immature Bald Eagle with adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature Bald Eagle with adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature Bald Eagle with adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature Bald Eagle with adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

Seeing parakeets so infrequently, I had misidentified completely. I have otherwise been referring to this species as Black-hooded Parakeet, while Nanday seems the preferred name.

The immature Bald Eagle with adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The immature Bald Eagle with adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Glossy Ibis with immature Bald Eagle and adult eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

Frank Constantin and I left Celery Fields on the chilly morning shortly before ten en route to Myakka River State Park making unexpected stops along the way.

The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Brown Pelican with Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The GPS recommended traveling along Palmer Boulevard which was fortuitous. Frank and I were intrigued with a feral Mute Swan feeding in a fairly large pond.

The Nanday Parakeet above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Osprey above was photographed at Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Northern Shoveler above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

Although mainly gulls were among the swan, Northern Shovelers were on the scene as well with an overflight of a juvenile Bald Eagle from the west.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Northern Shoveler above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

We next made a very brief unproductive stop at Rothenbach Park. Viewing it with a satellite map clearly indicates where one needs to be at this venue.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The juvenile Bald Eagle above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

Our arrival at Myakka River State Park was not until after 11:00am. It was still overcast and cold though had warmed up slightly to aid comfort.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

I was quite surprised by the hundreds of Sandhill Cranes observed. A Northern Harrier was seen flying close to the shore of Lake Myakka.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Mute Swan above was photographed near Celery Fields in January 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

Shorebirds were seen from the "Birdwalk" among my possibly earliest seasonally observed Black-necked Stilt. Another early sighting of stilt was made at Harns Marsh Preserve in the past.

The Killdeer with Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

While walking in the tall grass at Myakka River State Park I encountered a very large black snake which I hope was merely a Black Racer. I retreated with caution.

The Wild Turkey above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

The Northern Harrier above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

The Northern Harrier above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

The Northern Harrier above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

Myakka River State Park deserves a full day of one's time for exploration of its full expanse. The trails were reluctantly left unexplored on my first visit.

The Northern Harrier above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

Though not the best of weather to capture wildlife images this day, it was much fun to make observations.

The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Myakka River State Park in January 2014.

Please see: Southwest Florida Winter Wildlife: Article I