Ruby throated Hummingbird

I saw a new "lifer" yesterday which was very pleasing. I have a gallery of Doves and Pigeons of the world which you can see (here) . So far I have photograph 15 species and I have been able to add to it having seen and photographed a White winged Dove, yet another attractive species of Pigeon. It is a quest to photograph as many different species of pigeons and doves as possible. It was on the feeder at Green Cay in Palm Beach County. We went back up there yesterday to visit Wacodehatchee Wetlands (and of course Green Cay). Both venues give amazing opportunities for close up views of birds and alligators.

However, the White winged Dove was not the highlight of the day. We stood watching Red Cardinals, (what an amazing species this is), when suddenly a small group of Blue Grey Gnatcatchers arrived to feed around an ornamental palm. I watched the group chasing and hovering, probably hawking the small midges which attracted to the sweet fruit. Suddenly I saw it, a tiny Ruby Throated Hummingbird! Without a doubt this was the birding highlight of the trip, by a mile. It made my heart race with excitement. I watched it buzzing around and remain stationary as it hovered in front of me. I just couldn't get the camera to lock on but then it disappeared out of view and it never appeared again! I think it was a female because all I could see was light grey and not green or a dark back which is what I would have expected from a male.

This is an interesting bird, it's a juvenile Purple Gallinule, probably one of the most colourful bird I have ever seen. This youngster is just showing the hint of purple on the wings, quite a beautiful bird even when not in full colour. It was feeding on insects amongst the water hyacinth and lilly pads.

This alligator was lying in the shade next to a canal. It kept "gaping" it's mouth wide open. I would suspect that this is a way of keeping cool. Reptiles are cold blooded, they need to regulate their heat in different ways than birds and mammals. By opening the mouth, air will blow against the only area of the animal that isn't protected by thick leathery skin.

The Double crested Cormorants are nesting at the moment, interestingly, obviously winter breeders here. I came very close to getting a magic photo of a pair mating. Sometimes the light is so difficult to deal with and its almost impossible to achieve what you are after.

As you can see, there are fully grown chicks in some of the nests. This youngster never stopped screaming for food even though at times the adult was napping. Quite how the youngsters can tolerate the heat is a mystery to me?

Apart from the Hummingbird, probably the best sighting of the day was a Black crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax. It was tucked away quietly on a branch close to a walk way. Jenny spotted it and then pointed it out to me. Even though it was close to the path it was hard to photograph because of branches and intense light bursting through the gaps. I havent been able to get close to this species before so it was nice to see it so close. We actually get this species in Europe and from time to time they are seen in the UK. Interestingly, they breed on every continent as well as the US. Look at that single plume on the head.

Heres the view that Jenny had and she snapped the picture with her ipad. I have to take my hat off to her for being able to see it…… to friends and family, are you impressed that I have at last got lovely jenny looking for birds for me?