Mims, FL ~ Chain of Lakes Park

Loggerhead Shrike with a snack

This park is very large with many bodies of water but since I was running out of steam I didn't explore it much.  I saw a number of alligators here.  I guess when you live here you become more accustomed to them.  If they are sunning on the path I am walking, I carefully turn back which happened here twice.  I have been surprised not to see many ducks and especially the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks that have been everywhere in prior years.  Therefore, it was good to see about 12 of them here at this park.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

Christmas, FL ~ Orlando Wetlands

American Alligator

Limpkin

Purple Gallinule & Tricolored Heron

Best looks of a Sora I have had ever!

Black-bellied Whistling Duck surrounded by young American Alligators

Western Palm Warbler

Viera Wetlands Park & Click Ponds, Viera, FL

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks ~ Viera Wetlands

Another highly recommended birding site is the Viera Wetlands so it was our first stop today. It is water treatment plant and it allows birders to ride, bike or walk along the berms looking at all of the species of birds that call it home.  We had heard that it was a great site to see Least Bitterns which would be a life bird for both of us.  It was great even in the off season so I can imagine how wonderful it must be in winter and spring.  We were excited to see 2 Least Bittern at Viera Wetlands and then another one at the Click Ponds.  Seeing the ducks up on the dead palms was cool especially when a second duck came out of the top. There were lots of butterflies over at the Click Ponds in addition to the birds.

Cattle Egret ~ Viera Wetlands

Least Bittern ~ Viera Wetlands

Queen Butterfly

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly