The big Pileated Woodpeckers are one of the most exciting birds to visit the Backyard and one of the hardest to film. Pileated Woodpecker loudly pecking for bugs in the crevasses of a Palmetto Palm Tree a nice behavior capture.They are exceedingly nervous to come out in the open. I was close to him but the palm fronds were partially blocking a clean line of sight.
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It is Osprey Season again - also known as Fish Hawks - watching four different Ospreys watching on the same Morning. I think two of these are young Osprey. Real territory selection battles and serious calling wont start for about another month. The cycle of Osprey life continues but Ospreys are even more visible now than last season.
Appearance: The undersides of the toes on each foot are covered with short spines, which help them grasp slippery fish.
Habitat: The osprey is smaller than the bald eagles that typically share the same habitats, but its five to six foot wingspan is impressive nonetheless. Adults are dark brown above with a white underside and head. Look for the distinctive dark line that extends behind the eye and the gull-like way the narrow wings are angled downward when the birds are in flight.
The osprey is found year-round in Florida both as a nesting species and as a spring and fall migrant passing between more northern areas and Central and South America. Ospreys in Florida did not suffer the serious pesticide-related population declines that occurred in other states in the 1950s and 1960s. Pesticides, shoreline development and declining water quality continue to threaten the abundance and availability of food and nest sites for ospreys.
Behavior: Ospreys, also known as "fish hawks," are expert anglers that like to hover above the water, locate their prey and then swoop down for the capture with talons extended.
In Florida, ospreys commonly capture saltwater catfish, mullet, spotted trout, shad, crappie and sunfish from coastal habitats and freshwater lakes and rivers for their diet.
Ospreys build large stick nests located in the tops of large living or dead trees and on manmade structures such as utility poles, channel markers and nest platforms. Ospreys have adapted so well to artificial nest sites that the species now nests in areas (e.g. inner cities) once considered unsuitable. Nests are commonly reused for many years. Nesting begins from December (south Florida) to late February (north Florida). The incubation and nestling period extends into the summer months.
The osprey is listed as a Species of Special Concern only in Monroe County. Permits are required throughout the state to remove a nest for these wonderful raptors, however, and a replacement structure must be erected to mitigate the removal of the nest.
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Mother Raccoon moves her three incredibly cute little kittens from under my workshop/studio to a new location in the woods. She has her hands full. I will miss their little strange squeaky noises. These kittens were likely delivered in early October which is an unusual time - spring is normal. I think she forced herself under the building because the hurricanes of September completely flooded the conservation woodlands behind the Backyard and she needed a dry place. Now that the kittens are a little bigger and the Palmetto and pine scrub woods dry she is moving them - note that the move took place in the afternoon. They are still a little too young to follow her around she had to carry them one by one over the Backyard fence to the forest.
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Amazing Mushrooms - Fantastic Fungi - an all original look at dozens of unusual varieties of mushrooms in the deep, dark and moist Forest. Set to ambient music you'll see some of the prettiest, deadliest and tastiest mushrooms along the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains. Some exude a creepy sense of decay - others a remarkable air of brightness and light. Keep an eye out for these overlooked jewels on your next walk in the Forest!
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A lone tree is prime bird real estate in the vast marshlands of Florida - Interesting how the Grackles don't react to the mass of Blackbirds taking off. Both of these birds are year-round residents but in winter they tend to form up into flocks and some do migrate in from the North.
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Several dozen cute baby American Alligators about two months old hang out in a group called a Pod and are guarded by their mother. Although they may appear larger in the video without a reference they are actually not much bigger than 14-16 inches. Mom on the other hand is about 9 feet or so and reasonably tolerant - their biggest threat is probably other male alligators or maybe a humongous Large Mouth Bass.
Toward the end of August, the young alligators begin to make high-pitched noises from inside of the egg. This lets the mother know that it is time to remove the nesting material. When the baby alligator hatches it measures about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters). Newly hatched alligators live in small groups, called "pods." Some 80 percent of young alligators fall victim to predators such as birds, raccoons, bobcats, otters, snakes, large bass and larger alligators. Females aggressively defend their young during these first few years. Crocodilians are one of the only orders of reptiles that offer maternal care to their young. The juveniles grow about a foot a year.
Female alligators usually remain in a small area. Males can occupy areas greater than two square miles. Both males and females extend their ranges during the breeding season. Young alligators remain in the area where they are hatched and where their mother protects them. After two to three years, they leave that area in search of food or when driven out by larger alligators.
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It's a great morning for feeding the Blue Jays and Squirrels in the Backyard! Experience the pure joy of feeding these intelligent and appreciative creatures that seem to bond with humans. A special appearance by the youngest member of Backyard Squirrel Society who is learning the ropes and trying the patience of the Blue Jays.
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White-Winged Dove is a stunningly beautiful bird that can only really be appreciated close-up. These are very rare visitors to the Florida Backyard and very nervous because of their size and slowness they and the Eurasian Doves are the favorite meal of the Cooper's Hawk. Here is one in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76eAg...
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Mourning Dove and Eastern Towhee calling just a few feet away from each other get into a classic sing-off or singing contest. "Drink your Tea" Towhee versus the classic Dove Coo sound! Crank up the volume and close your eyes and you decide who wins - to be fair to the Dove it is mostly just off camera as I was focusing on the Towhee and in real-time didn't quite realize what was going on. Two very different styles of songs and singing - the Dove does it all without ever opening its beak - but uses its nostrils. An amazing version of the dove coo calling can be seen at: https://youtu.be/3Km-jtXueTw
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The amazing sounds of an Eastern Chipmunk making the traditional "wood knocking" calls of Autumn. I have heard this sound echoing through the forest many times and while scientific studies indicate this is a warning call for predators - in this context it just doesn't make sense, one there are no predators - I am nearby and the Chipmunk knows me and, 2 he is well out in the open on a rock and exposed for many minutes making it easier for any predator like a hawk to have him for dinner. It is more likely a territorial call.
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