Ospreys on Blue Cypress Lake

My photography group had an outing (May 2010) which was photographing the Ospreys on Blue Cypress Lake in Vero Beach, FL.  There were thousands of them, we shot for hours.

I took 1,300 photos! It was so much fun, everyone was in awe - at the number of Ospreys, the beautiful setting, a sunny day, and the chance to continually shoot all morning.

It was a beautiful day on Blue Cypress Lake.  It was full of Ospreys - in flight, in trees, in nests, you name it, they were everywhere.  We couldn't believe it.

This is just a few shots, it was hard to choose a few when I had so many.  Great souvenirs of a fantastic day.

Blue Cypress Lake

This is Blue Cypress Lake in Vero Beach, FL.  Appropriately named, Cypress trees line the lake, but what's interesting is that Ospreys build their nests here.  It is full of Ospreys, someone estimated 1,000 of them.

My photography group had an outing here an it was absolutely fantastic.  We went out on these pontoon boats and drifted through the area. If you look closely at the picture below, you can see one resting at the top of the tree.

We just drifted through the Cypress trees, shooting nonstop and enjoying ourselves immensely. 

  We were joined by a few kayakers.

And fishermen.  It was a beautiful day on Blue Cypress Lake.

I can't wait to go back.

'Gators of the Alligator Farm

These alligators live in the waters of the rookery at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, FL. 

Breakfast for the Very Young

Look closely (above) and you can see the Egret provide food for the babies.  The baby Egret below has a small fish in it's beak. 

Roseate Spoonbills

One of the reasons I drove up to St. Augustine for the weekend (May, 2010) is that I heard they had about 60 pairs of Roseate Spoonbills in their rookery at the Alligator Farm.  I don't get to see Spoonbills all that often and I really love them.  From their pretty pink color to their unusual bills, I enjoy watching them.  And I don't have many photographs, and certainly not any I'd brag about.  While there were certainly not 60 pairs, there were a few, and I managed to get a couple of nice shots.

The picture below shows their pretty red eyes and the unique shape of their bills.

And their amazing wing span.  I love them!

Woodstorks - Nestbuilding

The Woodstorks were nestbuilding which gave me the opportunity to practice my flight shots.  This was at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, the first weekend in May 2010. 

Their wingspan is amazing.  I love them stretched to the fullest extent...

... and folded in like a black silky cape. 

The Rookery, St. Augustine

This rookery is at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, FL.  A boardwalk runs along a corner of the park where birds are nesting in the trees on either side.  It's full of photographers and a great place to spend the day.

A lot of expensive equipment is the norm.  My lens can hold it's own, but I don't use a tripod, I like to walk around freely.