Few more Hungry Birds.....

[Eric D]

Some pics from the Wetlands after the rain stopped late last week. Roads were closed at Wetlands so I drove down the Dirt rd. to Moccasin Island. Clouds, mist and very windy!!!

Walked into the Wetlands and the Caracara landed 10 feet in front of me on the road.
1.



2. Caracara Spotted that critter in his mouth from the Pine tree across the way. Couldn't get the camera set up in time for the landing.





3.





4.




5. Yummy.......






6. Along the dirt road to Moccasin Island area.......




7.



8. Meadowlark.....





9.




10.



11. As I was returning back for Moccasin Island area the Sun came out and so did an Eagle....... landing right in front of my truck. I was able to get one shot before he flew back off

[w.slayman]

Fantastic Shots, I especially like #1 the Caracara, I have never seen or heard of that bird. Beautiful creature, by his beak I assume he is a bird of prey. How big is he?

[Eric D]

Fantastic Shots, I especially like #1 the Caracara, I have never seen or heard of that bird. Beautiful creature, by his beak I assume he is a bird of prey. How big is he?

Caracara's are the size of a Large Hawk (Red Shouldered Hawk size). The are cool Raptors and are here in Central and South Florida. Originally they are from Mexico and Central America ( I see them in Costa Rica all the time).

I also believe it is the National Bird for Mexico

[BlueRob]

Awesome agian Eric. :thumbsup:

I`m not jealous BTW

[kisu]

Superb photographs - the 'puffed up' meadowlark is great. I presume it is a type of heron with the fish but are the white birds above it in the sequence cranes?

[BlueRob]

I also believe it is the National Bird for Mexico

I got intrigued by this....after a quick look up I don't think it is, tho many sites state it is. Others state that Mexico`s national bird is the golden eagle which I guess is the one in our flag, which I guess confirms it.

[Eric D]

I got intrigued by this....after a quick look up I don't think it is, tho many sites state it is. Others state that Mexico`s national bird is the golden eagle which I guess is the one in our flag, which I guess confirms it.

Well know I am confused. According to these sites below the Caracara is indeed the National Bird of Mexico.

http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/CountryIndex.htm
http://www.chapala.com/chapala/ojo20...ionalbird.html


KISU....the white birds are White Egrets getting Frisky and the Meadowlark hangs in pastures and fields.

[w.slayman]

Thanks for the information and for sharing Eric. You have some of the most beautiful images of birds I have ever seen, and I hope to bing back a few from Brazil this trip that come close to yours. I will be taking my both of systems, and over 100 rolls of film, for the 90 day trip. When I get back I will start posting them without PP on PR. Again thanks for sharing, they are an inspiration.

[BJW]

Your pictures continue to amaze me. I think these are the best Meadowlark pictures I've seen, but most of your pictures are the best I've seen! I've not ever heard of a Caracara and it's BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for another "eye feast".

[scott-devon]

Your shots never fail to amaze me Eric, fantastic! I love seeing the Caracara shots as I've only seen these birds in Costa Rica and the photos bring back memories. No favourites here they are all amazing.

[billy320]

OMG excellent shots

[Loupey]

You do not disappoint!

In #3 the beak of the lower looks like its pierced the crop of the upper

Hey, I can't for the life of me figure out what that red-bellied WP has caught. It looks like a frog but the legs are all wrong. A newt?

And the GBH looks like he caught a plecostomus - but wrong country.

You've got all sorts of freaky stuff down there!

[Shebang]

I echo the posts before me. These are better than magazine quality!

Your beautiful shots are in large part why I am so unhappy with mine

[AgingEyes]

All nice ones ! I The first two are cute !