We also saw ...

 

More bird sightings from our trip earlier this month.   But first  a picture taken  this week much closer to the Canal Cottage :

 

Royal Poinciana trees are in full bloom all over the area.  This one is in the swamp across the street from us.  It's very hot here right now and this bright and showy tree contributes to the tropical ambience.   A common name for this beauty is Flamboyant Tree which I think fits well. 

And now back to our trip to the wetlands.

 

We spotted this adult Sandhill Crane with two juveniles as we started our second day's walk at Orlando Wetlands.  It's always a bit startling to see how big these birds are.   

It was definitely family day at the park, because I spotted the tribe below almost as soon as we stepped onto the boardwalk.

 

Common Gallinules are not a rare bird, but they can be hard to spot because they nest and hide in the reeds and vegetation at the water's edge.  This pair obligingly took their family out for a morning swim just as we arrived.

 

The babies were so cute -- it was hard to stop taking pictures.

But soon they made it easy for me to move on as they headed back to their hidden home:

Bill got a bit tired of watching baby gallinules and had gone ahead a little way.   When I caught up,  he pointed out some birds I might  have missed.

 

The Great Blue Heron above and the Little Blue below were waiting patiently, but not for me.  Instead, like all Heron species, they were biding their time watching for the perfect meal to swim past.  I took advantage of their stillness.

 

Our trip  was exactly what we needed and the Canal Cottage was nice to come back to.    It's summer here for sure now, beautiful early mornings and long evenings  but hibernation time during the heat of the day.  Here are one day's skies, morning and evening:

 

 

LINKING to the following sharing opportunities:  Thank you to everyone.

 

 NATURE NOTES; MOSAIC MONDAY;  THROUGH MY LENS;   MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; 

WILD BIRD Wednesday;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY  and SATURDAY CRITTERS;

Comments

[Calendula]

Great birds! Love the photo of the baby Common Gallinules! So fluffy!

[mae]

The patient wading birds are beautiful. Yesterday I took photos of egrets and great blues too, as you say, they pose for the camera’s eye. I hope you stay comfortable in the heat.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
Another great outing to the Orlando Wetlands. The tree is gorgeous.
I like seeing the baby birds and the families of Gallinules out together. The Cranes and the Herons are favorites. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.

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

Lovely.

[Michelle Keltner]

Your nature photographs are always perfect. I like the baby bird. Very sweet! Thank you for linking up and have a great weekend.

[Photo Cache]

Stinking cute baby bird.

[Michelle Banks]

Beautiful Sallie..I am hoping to improve to be able to take walks that are longer than getting to the yard....Michelle

[DeniseinVA]

Wonderful sights Sallie. It is special to see the birds I don’t get to see unless we are road-tripping. Thank you so much!

[Joyful]

Gorgeous Poinciana tree.

[Debbie]

what a get place for viewing beautiful birds. it nice to have a companion to go birding with, chuck often sees things i too might have missed. the tree is gorgeous, i enjoyed johns poem!!

[John's Island]

Sallie,

The Flamboyant Tree in fiery bloom,
A torch of color in the swamp’s warm gloom.
While cranes and gallinules stroll with pride,
Their babies bob by mama’s side.

The herons wait in silent grace,
Their patience set to time and place.
Each step, each scene a sweet reprieve—
From dawn-lit walks to sultry eve.

In wetlands wild and cottage calm,
You’ve found your rhythm, nature’s balm.
Where feathers, flowers, heat, and light
Weave summer days in bold delight.

John

[Peter B.]

Gorgeous skies. I think Flamboyant Tree is the perfect name!

[Carol]

Love all your photos and especially the birds. I hope you have a wonderful June

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wow! Sally ~ you captured Nature's beauty so well ~ thanks and hugs, ~

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores ~ clm,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[::: Heidrun]

Loved to see the bird babies... and the fantastic nature around. It's raining outside, it's a holiday here and it's a pleasure to visit you - dear blog friends - in the afternoon. Happy MosaicMonday!

...thank you for your contribution to the link party, it was a pleasure to read your post.

Have a great week.

[Linda Walcroft]

The Royal Poinciana tree is impressive! Love the bird photos!

[magiceye]

Lovely captures!

[Veronica Lee]

The Royal Poinciana is such an incredible sight!
Love how you captured the mix of vibrant nature and peaceful wildlife.
Wonderful sightings, Sallie!

[Life Images by Jill, Western Australia]

Looks like a fabulous place to photograph birds. We have a couple of cranes here in Australia that look a bit like those - the Brolga and the Sarus Crane. Have a wonderful week. I am joining you at Mosaic Monday.

[Penelope Notes]

The red showy blooms make a visual splash! As Earth heats up, I suppose it will be ever more common to stay indoors midday and venture out only in the mornings and evenings.

[hena]

Lovely photos.

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

...you don't need a TV with scenery like this!

[Lorrie Orr]

Lovely sightings, Sally. The Royal Poinciana tree just glows with colour. I have only seen Sandhill Cranes once, way up in the Arctic where we went a few summers ago.

[Yogi's Den]

You found some great birds and are seeing some great sunsets.

[Ellen Bayles]

What a great variety of birds you enjoyed on your morning visit. I've never seen most of these birds and it's a treat to see them here. That Sandhill Crane looks huge. Flamboyant is the perfect description of that tree! I'm sure it's nice to walk in the cooler part of the morning and you got the special treat of the Gallinules out for their morning escapade. Enjoy the last 6 days of May!

[Eileen]

Great variety of birds Sallie.
I love them all, wonderful sightings.
The blooming tree is lovely and gorgeous sky captures.
Take care, have a wonderful day and a happy week ahead.

[Pat]

The Royal Poinciana trees near your canal cottage are so beautiful! You saw a wonderful variety of birds, Sallie. I'm always surprised how large Herons are! Have a good week ahead!