birding Lyss' 2019 Bird Year

[Lyss]

I tried to do this once and I literally forgot about it haha. So this time around I am going to buckle down and try my best to get through this year. 

 

I recently purchased a new Nikon 3500 and have been spending time learning how to use the different buttons and settings. I still keep my trusty bridge camera around for when I get frustrated and just want to capture the photo. 

 

Since I'm starting later in the year I figured it would best to begin with birds I've captured at the beginning of the year so I can catch up to myself. 

 

Luckily I haven't gone out much so it shouldn't be too difficult.

 

So without further ado here is my 2019 BY.

 

*If I get to 100 birds I will be amazed*

[Lyss]

My first round of birds is all coming from my trip to Blackwater Wildlife Dr which is located inside the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge between NASA and Titusville, FL.

 

This is probably my favorite place to go as it is closest to my home. Winter is the best time for birding in Florida since we have birds coming up from both South American and down from the winter locked areas of the north.

 

All photos are from 2/16/19.

 

1) Tricolored Heron - Egretta tricolor

 

2)Flocks of Blue-winged Teal - Spatula discors  (would also count as an EBC lol)

 

3) Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis

 

4) American Coot - Fulica americana

 

5) Roseate Spoonbill - Platalea ajaja  Forgive the graininess of this photo. It was starting to get cloudy and it just happened to get dark as this bird flew by.

 

6) Killdeer - Charadius vociferus

 

7) Snowy Egret - Egretta thula

 

8) Gray Catbird - Dumtella carolinensis   One of my favorite birds to see.

 

9) American Robin - Turdus migratorius They migrate in the hundreds to the Space Coast. I had never seen them before until I moved to Florida as they do not occur in the deserts of Arizona.

 

10) Little Egret - Egretta garzetta

 

11) Little Blue Heron (juvenile) - Egretta caerulea These birds are white for their first year and transition to their blue color. I'll add a Little Blue Heron adult to my feed here when I am able to capture one.

 

12) Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus My first ever Floridian Bald Eagle! I was so excited. I have seen them before, but it was the first time I was able to stop and photograph one that I spotted as I was leaving the area.

 

13) Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura This guy was probably as big as the Bald Eagle. They thrive here.

 

That's all, for now, I hope you enjoyed these. Hopefully, I can get my butt in gear and get some more birds soon. Unfortunately as summer approaches, many will leave so the birding won't be as good.

Edited April 9, 2019 by Lyss

[pedro maia]

1 hour ago, Lyss said:

 

*If I get to 100 birds I will be amazed*

 

Me too .

[Peter Connan]

Welcome Lyss

[xelas]

Welcome to the Big Year, @Lyss! With D3500, what lens are you using? BTW, lovely signature! How did you get it?

[TonyQ]

Welcome to the Big Yeat @Lyss

A great start!

[Game Warden]

Great to see more of us joining the Big Year subforum. Already some super captures @Lyss We won't let you forget this year...

 

Matt

[Lyss]

Thank you, everyone! @xelas I used the 70-300mm kit lens since I just recently purchased it I do not have any of the fancy lenses, and probably won't bother until I get more used to the lenses I got with the camera.  

 

As far as the signature goes, I had someone design it for me. I am part of a photography site that hosts different contests and they had a deal on their pro membership which included a signature. I figured it'd be nice to have one done professionally. I may go back to using my homemade one, but I'm not sure, yet.

Edited April 10, 2019 by Lyss

[Galana]

Welcome to the party. I think you are too modest. that 100 will be along before you know it.

[Dave Williams]

Excellent start, welcome to the BY.

This is the biggest gathering in the BY yet so excuse me if I am slow catching up with you.

I'm sure you'll murder the 100 mark!!

[michael-ibk]

Welcome to the Big Year Lyss, glad to have you on board.

[Lyss]

I have more birds... now to process the photos Lol! I'll get there before December 31st. 

[Lyss]

14) Osprey - taken at a pier as I as photographing the clouds on the horizon; and he decided to give me a nice opportunity to photograph him.

Edited September 1, 2019 by Lyss

[Lyss]

Took a trip to Cocoa Beach to see the surf and get out of the house while waiting for Dorian to arrive. I got some nice photos of the surf and was able to add to my bird list as well.

 

Swells from a hurricane

 

15) Sanderling - Calidris alba

 

16) Laughing Gull - Leucophaeus atricilla  Non-breeding plumage. This was not the first gull I saw with a turtle in its beak. I am positive the tides caused by Dorian displaced these hatchlings or uncovered a nest. Being in this area of FL I'm assuming they are Loggerhead hatchlings.

 

17) Rock Pigeon - Columba livia they are non-native to Florida

 

18) Willet - Tringa semipalmata I took an educated guess as I did not have the greatest photos of this bird. It made more sense than the other waders of the same size.

 

19) Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres A first for me! Forgive the blur I was not as fast as this guy.

Edited September 4, 2019 by Lyss