Venice Audubon Rookery

 

May really is a pretty month here.  The moods of the sky are fascinating and every morning walk is different.   

 

Last week's morning walks at home

We stay busy indoors during the hot (and sometimes rainy) part of the day, but sometimes you've just got to get away in spite of the heat. 

So one day last week we drove about an hour North of us to visit the Venice Audubon Bird Rookery.  From their website: 

"The Rookery island’s deep lake is small enough so that from the shaded pavilion benches you hardly need binoculars for a clear view of the birds. Tangled invasive plants have been replaced by Florida-friendly vegetation so you can easily walk around the edge of the lake and watch bird activity on all sides of the island." 

 

Green Heron

May is the end of the nesting season, so there wasn't too much activity in the rookery itself.   But there were some very nice birds around the edges of that small Lake.  One of my favorites, the Green Heron was the first bird I spotted on that walk.  

 

Great Egrets and Great Blue Heron

 

 At the nests, which are on a bird island in the center of the Lake, we caught glimpses of a few big babies poking up their heads to be fed, but I think most of the nestlings had left home already.  The ones we saw (I didn't get pictures) were as big as the parents. 

There were a couple pairs of Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks on the opposite side of the Lake from the parking area.   

 

Whistling Duck

There's just something about these guys that makes me smile.  Maybe it's the pink legs?  

 

Or the Mohawk Hair cut?

 

Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks

Or their pretty eyes?  Or what seems like their curious nature.  Whatever it is, they are a joy to watch.  We've seen these ducks before, but not this close to home.

We spotted this high-density neighborhood on the edge of the Lake:

 

Purple Martin Condominium

 

And a condo tenant (Purple Martin)

 

He looks a little cranky.   Most of the residents didn't want their picture taken at all.  (The picture is highly zoomed.  I really don't think he even saw me.)

 

 Here's some more Spring color from walks in our own neighborhood:

 

More Florida Spring Flowers

 

LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities:  Thank you to the hosts.

 NATURE NOTES;  TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  THROUGH MY LENS; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; WILD BIRD Wednesday; SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;   WANDERING CAMERA; SATURDAY CRITTERS  and RATHER B' BIRDING

Comments

[Michelle Banks]

These are lovely Sallie....

[Dixie]

Wonderful photos.
The Whistling ducks, heron are a sight to behold.
Lovely flowers too.

[Gaelyn]

A really nice place to get away. I smiled at the antics of Whistling ducks seen in Texas.

[Soma @ InkTorrents.com]

I am so glad you shared this post on Wandering Camera! Thank you!

-Soma

[mae]

A vagrant black-bellied whistling duck has been seen on a pond near us here in MIchigan this week. I like your photos of where it really ought to be.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Anni]

Each and all are incredible images. From sky to flowers and beautiful birds in between! It's been a while since I've seen a green heron.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by and sharing your link with us!!

[Lavender Dreams]

I would love to go there and I'm sure there are lots of birds year round. We are seeing quite a few young ones around the ponds and rivers here now. And we get out in the mornings but it's still HOT by the time we get home. But I shouldn't complain...it will get HOTTER! lol Love the flowers there too. Enjoy your weekend! Keep those fans humming!

[Jm, Illinois, U.S.A.]

Mohawks, interesting bird hotels, Pink legs and angry Purple Martin ... equals a special blog to look at weekly.

[Debbie]

wow!! so many beautiful images. gorgeous, peaceful mornings...beautiful birds and lovely flowers, the colors are spectacular!! it was fun to see the whistling duck, i have not seen them since theresa in texas left so i really enjoyed seeing those images!!

have a wonderful weekend!!

[Shiju Sugunan]

I liked the post so much! I think the Mohawk hair cut make them look funny LOL. These nocturnal feeders are quite easy to photograph because they are not much busy during the day. Love the flowers too. Great shots!

[Kelleyn]

Gorgeous photos as always. I love sunsets! Hope you have a lovely week!

Kelleyn
https://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2022/06/reykjavik-zoo.html

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
I have been to this rookery, many years ago. Beautiful captures of the Green Heron and the Egrets. The Whistling Ducks are one of my favorites. Your sky captures and Flowers are gorgeous. Great photos.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend!

[Heidrun]

Wish you a wonderful Weekend.

Your captures again lovely. The nature around us give so much peace, calm for the own soul.

Thank you for sharing.

[riitta k]

Your sky collage is awesome Sallie! The white heron in the middle of all that greenery looks like a mystic fairytale bird.

[DeniseinVA]

So many wonderful photos Sallie. I am keeping this place on my bucket list. I enjoyed your post very much. Have a great weekend :)

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

...I must say that I miss hibiscus. Now that hurricane season has arrived, are you headed to Oregon?

[Deb Nance at Readerbuzz]

The green herons are amazing.

Love the sky shots.

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Wonderful shots.

[soma @ InkTorrents.com]

Beautiful skies, and I love how different they are. I can see why the Whistling Ducks make you smile. The colours of the Green Heron are so beautiful, I also love how you photographed him/her (I am not a birdwatcher, so not sure about the gender).

-Soma

[Alan]

Them whistling ducks are odd looking but all put together it kind of works.

I love your green heron. I was looking straight at a green heron and not seeing it until a couple people walked up nosily and flew up into the tree canopy.

[Peter B.]

I love your sky moods and spring color. The rookery looks like a fun place to visit!

[My Corner of the World]

This looks like a great place for beautiful photos! I love your captures, Sallie.

Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

[Iris Flavia]

A beautiful series! So happy.
Here it´s way too cold for the season, so thank you for sharing your happy times.

[Duwan @ Make Like An Apeman]

I love that Mohawk on the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. Sounds like a great place to look for birds!

[Beatrice]

Lovely sights along your walks, Sallie, and that rookery would be a favorite viewing for myself. Early morning sky views are wonderful, just as sunset views. Sure that the bird and ducks had no clue about being photo subjects.

[Heidrun]

It's Wednedsay ... and I try again and again to comment. The Software chances makes it difficult.

Wonderful birds here and I enjoyed reading, it's like small holiday for the mood reading other posts.

Have a good week.

[Diane]

That is an interesting bird motel.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wow! Sally ~ beautiful place ~ Venice is very artsy too right? These are gorgeous photos of our feathered friends and great macro floral shots ~ Xo

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Bob Bushell]

The Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks are excellent, beautiful standing Sallie. And the Purple Martin, on the condo.

[Jennifer Jilks]

You have wonderful travels! I'm sticking close to home, though.

[Linda P]

Another interesting post. From a UK perspective the birds are unusual. I enjoyed seeing the herons and the whistling ducks with their feather markings and pink legs. Observing birds on a well kept reserve must be fascinating.

[Lydia C. Lee]

That bird condo is cool!!

[ellen b.]

I would say that was worth the drive and the heat. Great shots. The Spring color collage is so lovely!

[Amy Franks]

I really like those bird houses, I haven't seen anything like that but i do like the audibon, that is one lovely bird

[Sondra]

Hi Sallie, it's really heating up around here so Im laying low most of the time...I really enjoy seeing that the Black Bellied Whistling Ducks they are increasing their range in some counties of SC...the Hibiscus is a delightful!

[Pat]

What a wonderful place to visit with so many interesting birds to see! I'm glad that there are preserves like this to allow the birds to nest safely and raise their young. WE have been getting cool temperatures and some well-needed rain this weekend. I hope the same where your children live in western CO.

[Rain Frances]

Beautiful flowers and bird photos! I LOVE that Green Heron! So colourful and beautiful!! ☺

[Carol]

I have never been to the Venice Rookery as I haven't explored your area enough. For years I lived over on the east coast of S Florida and then I moved to north west coast. Venice is a beautiful place and I have visited it, but never really explored all the sights. Thanks for the beautiful photos of birds. I'm not sure I've ever seen black-bellied whistling ducks before. They're handsome. I just love all herons. Feels like summer here without all the rain. I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day!

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
The rookery is an awesome place to visit. I love the Green Heron, Egret and the Whistling Ducks. Beautiful flowers, the spring colors are lovely. Take care, enjoy your day and new week ahead.

[Linda W]

Beautiful shots! We don’t have whistling ducks here but I enjoy seeing their pictures.

[Lorrie Orr]

The whistling ducks are such unique looking birds - very unlike any ducks we see here in the west. Purple martin condos exist around here, too, mostly at the ends of docks, and they are wooden. I enjoy watching them swoop around. Beautiful hibiscus flowers!

[William Kendall]

Lovely birds!

[Penelope Notes]

It is funny how we read human emotions into the expressions of animals. The bird does look a bit miffed. Just wondering … perhaps the cost of the condos has something to do with it. :)