50 Shades of Green......

     Spring had sprung for sure! Emerald green buds are coming out on our Bald Cyprus (“The General”) and on the maple tree. Birds are busy building nests in various places. When the sun hits the trees on the opposite bank of the Broward it seems like '50 shades of Green'. Bird rookeries are full of nesting and mating activity, some of the hatchlings have grown and are beginning to fledge already.

     A recent visit to the St. Augustine Alligator farm and rookery saw more activity than expected. Great Egrets in breeding plumage and displays were all over. They were still busy bringing in nesting materials to their mates who would carefully weave a suitable place to lay the sky-blue eggs. Some Roseate Spoonbills have already hatched a new generation.  The Wood Storks, although not as “pretty” as the egrets, were also busy nest building and some were on eggs already. A future visit is planned as soon as I pay Uncle Sam his due.

     Although Spring has sprung and the April showers with it, it also brings my most unpleasant time of the year. Yes, birth, death and taxes are what we humans must face. At least the birds don’t have to pay them! Time to “render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and don’t forget to render unto God, that which is God’s. Blessings. Harry

Our "Bald Cyprus" is blooming in Spring Green

50 Shades of Green on the Broward...

Spring is in the air all right...The Great Egrets were in full display to attract their mates..

Another Great Egret Display

Love in the shadows...hard to have a private moment with all the photographers around..Rated R for mature audiences only

Time for nest building....Great Egret bringing back stick after stick...till its just right..

Filling the frame...

Egret rising....

Soaring high..

A Red Shouldered Hawk was looking for easy pickings at the nests below..

Roseate Spoonbill with hatchlings..

Did you pay your taxes yet Mr Doohickey? We birds don't have too :)