Monthly Archives: March 2012

Laughing Gull – Seasonal changes

Posted on 2012/03/30 by birds n' bugs

The Laughing Gull – Larus atricilla – is a familiar bird on Florida shores.  Many of them winter here from the north and perhaps, our northern neighbors only see them with their familiar black head.  Down here in the winter … Continue reading →

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They grow up so fast – Great Horned Owls

Posted on 2012/03/27 by birds n' bugs

The baby owls are growing up fast at the Punta Gorda History Park.  On March 1st they were little fuzzballs who never left the nest. On March 27th, they still feed in the nest but, are beginning to take the … Continue reading →

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U.S. Navy Blue Angels – Florida International Airshow

Posted on 2012/03/26 by birds n' bugs

This year, I didn’t actually manage to get to the airshow on Saturday or Sunday.  Other commitments kept me away but, I did get a chance to see some of the flying acts on their Friday practice day and on … Continue reading →

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Black Diamond Jet Team – Florida International Airshow

Posted on 2012/03/25 by birds n' bugs

This civilian precision flight act was at last years Florida International Airshow as the Heavy Metal Jet Team and had five L39s in the group.     This year, an added attraction was a pair of Mig-17 Frescos painted in the teams Arctic … Continue reading →

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Pileated Woodpecker Gender Differences

Posted on 2012/03/20 by birds n' bugs

We have a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers – Dryocopus pileatus building a nest in the vacant lot next to the Punta Gorda History Park.  I noticed them while looking at the Great Horned Owls.  These usually shy birds were so … Continue reading →

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A quick stop at the Venice Rookery

Posted on 2012/03/16 by birds n' bugs

After a trip to Sarasota I was returning on US-41 and couldn’t resist a stop at the Venice Rookery.  There is still plenty of nesting activity with Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and Cormorants and Anhingas strutting their stuff.  I … Continue reading →

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Somebody spilled some light on the bar

Posted on 2012/03/14 by birds n' bugs

We stopped off at the Celtic Ray in downtown Punta Gorda for fish and chips.  Definitely the best around.  I was at the end of the bar and light was spilling in the front window.  I couldn’t resist snapping this … Continue reading →

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Great Horned Owls at the Punta Gorda History Park

Posted on 2012/03/10 by birds n' bugs

Just a few shots of the Great Horned Owls which have taken over the eagles nest next to the History Park.  The babies are getting bigger and should be becoming more active over the next couple of weeks.  Once that … Continue reading →

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Eye color patches in Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets

Posted on 2012/03/07 by birds n' bugs

Today I got a great closeup shot of a great egret with the green coloration that shows up when mature adults are ready to mate.  The other day I got a shot of a Great Blue Heron in it’s blue … Continue reading →

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Flying lessons

Posted on 2012/03/04 by birds n' bugs

I took an internet friend to a couple of local bird locations to show him what the area was like.  We met at the Punta Gorda History Park to take a look at the Great Horned Owls which had taken over … Continue reading →

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