A few Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater).
The cowbird is a relatively small permanent resident of the southern United States and Mexico, especially in winter. They resemble orioles but have a finch-like head and beak. The adult male is mainly iridescent black with a brown head while the adult female is grey with a pale throat and fine streaking underneath.
The cowbirds often travel in flocks sometimes mixed with Red-winged Blackbirds and Bobolinks, Common Grackle or European Starlings. Here they are traveling with Common Starlings (Stumus vulgaris).
The Cowbirds let the Starlings do they work of raising their young so they are free to travel and forage for food, a trait known as brood parasitism.
A Barred Owl (Strix varia) seems interested in what the photographer is
doing below. Likely that is not the case. They are quite shy.
The Barred Owl is also known as the Eight Hooter, Rain Owl, Wood Owl, and Striped Owl. . . but is probably best known as the Hoot Owl a name derived from its call.
The owl prefers dense woods like those surrounding our homes in the far reaches of the Orlando suburban sprawl.
A better shot of the Barred Owl.
A warm Florida sunset.
Temperatures are topping out most days in the low 80°s F (27° C). Today it is already quite warm and humid with a strong southwesterly flow in front of an approaching storm. The storm is currently forecast to move too far north to bring any much needed rain to central Florida.
The panhandle of Florida is receiving rainfall from this storm system today.
The current forecast is for the squall line in front of the approaching storm to dissipate to the south. Strong storms are possible for points north in northern Florida and Georgia. It appears, however, that we will have to await another system for significant rain.
An American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) also referred to as the Sparrow Hawk is a small falcon and the only kestrel found in the Americas. I've only seen one of these birds close up like this, but I must assume there are more around. They are said to measure only 7 - 8 inches long (19-21 cm).
A few birds. I think these are geese. Perhaps Chen caerulescens or Blue Geese. More common in Mexico and the Mississippi Valley in winter these geese obviously travel in large flocks. Here they land in what remains of a drying lake.
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Read about the recent revelations of the Climate Change Doubt Movement
The so-called doubters -- under the guise of Republican Conservatism,
are using tactics derived from the cigarette companies to spread
doubt that humans are responsible for rapid global warming.
Read about the Tasmanian Devil's Killer Disease
Scientists have completely mapped the genome of the
disease in an attempt to save the dying predator.
Other blogs we're following today:
a summary of news articles related to the
Republican assault on the United States
healthcare program for the aged and disabled.
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