Some plants bloom during the bird migration season, as if nature knew exactly what was needed and worked like a precise clock. For example, the firespike flower blooms in Florida around September—right when hummingbird migration is at its peak.
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| Firespike (Odontonema tubaeforme). |
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| Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding on a firespike. |
Over the weekend, I went shooting at my local park. I’m not sure what’s going on, but there seem to be far fewer birds than usual for this time of year.
I did spot a pair of great egrets perched on the pier and had the chance to capture a few shots of them, beautifully backlit by the low sun on the horizon.
It has been hot here in Florida and that affects birding.
As a result, I didn’t have many opportunities to capture good pictures.
One bird that didn’t seem to be bothered by the heat were the Laughing Gulls.
I managed to take a few pictures of these birds in flight.
The Herring Gull is large and pale gray with a white head, pink legs, and a strong yellow bill marked with a red spot. They are winter visitors to Florida, often seen along beaches, piers, and harbors, scavenging for fish or scraps.
The Laughing Gull, on the other hand, is a year-round resident and one of Florida’s most recognizable gulls. In breeding season, it has a black head, red bill, and a raucous, laughing call that gives the species its name. They thrive in coastal habitats, from sandy beaches to busy boardwalks, and are quick to swoop in on snacks left unattended.
Together, these two gulls capture both the seasonal rhythm and the lively spirit of Florida’s shorelines.
Another bird that I photographed was the boat-tailed grackle.
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| Female Boat-tailed Grackle. |
The Boat-tailed Grackle is a striking blackbird found along Florida’s coasts and wetlands. Males are glossy black with long, keel-shaped tails (like a boat’s hull), while females are smaller and brown with a slimmer build. They’re noisy, bold, and often gather in large flocks around marshes, parking lots, and boardwalks. Their loud, varied calls and confident presence make them one of the most noticeable birds in Florida’s coastal areas.
If you spend time near Florida’s lakes, marshes, or even open pastures, you may hear a distant, rolling bugle that carries for miles. Look up, and you might spot a pair of Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) — tall, graceful birds that have become an iconic part of the Sunshine State’s natural scenery.
While millions of Sandhill Cranes migrate across North America each year, Florida is home to its own non-migratory subspecies: the Florida Sandhill Crane (A. c. pratensis). These cranes live here year-round, nesting in freshwater marshes and open prairies. Standing nearly four feet tall with wingspans over six feet, they’re hard to miss — especially in breeding season, when pairs perform their famous courtship dances, leaping and bowing in perfect sync.
Sandhill Cranes are monogamous, often mating for life. Pairs work together to build a nest of plant material in shallow water. Typically, the female lays two eggs, but often only one chick — called a “colt” — survives to adulthood. Parents are fiercely protective, and it’s not unusual to see them boldly confronting predators, from raccoons to hawks.
In Florida, you can encounter Sandhill Cranes in state parks, wildlife management areas, and even golf courses or suburban fields. Common viewing spots include Crews Lake Park in Pasco County, Paynes Prairie Preserve, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive.
Although Florida Sandhill Cranes are not currently endangered, they’re considered threatened by the state due to habitat loss. Wetland drainage and development have reduced their breeding grounds, and they are especially vulnerable during nesting season (January through June).
Keep your distance: Cranes are protected by law — it’s illegal to harass or feed them.
Go early: Morning light enhances their red foreheads and soft gray plumage.
Watch the behavior: Dances, bugling calls, and parenting moments make for compelling wildlife shots.
Sandhill Cranes have lived in North America for millions of years — fossil records suggest they’re among the oldest bird species still alive today. In Florida, they’re more than just another bird; they’re a symbol of our wetlands’ beauty and fragility.
Florida may be famous for its herons, egrets, and spoonbills, but it also plays host to one of the most dazzling avian visitors—the hummingbird. Known for their iridescent feathers, incredible speed, and ability to hover in midair, hummingbirds are a true delight for bird lovers and photographers alike.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – The only species that breeds in Florida. Males sport a brilliant red throat that flashes in sunlight, while females have a plain white throat. They arrive in spring, nest during the warmer months, and some overwinter in the southern parts of the state.
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| Ruby-throated hummingbird. |
Seasonal Visitors – In winter, a few other species occasionally appear, such as the Black-chinned Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird, often spotted by dedicated birdwatchers in gardens and parks.
Spring & Fall Migration – Peak times for sightings, especially along the Gulf Coast and in gardens with nectar-rich flowers.
Year-Round in South Florida – Warmer temperatures mean that some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds stay all year.
Best Locations – Botanical gardens, coastal nature reserves, and backyards with feeders and native flowering plants.
Plant Native Flowers – Coral honeysuckle, firebush, and salvia are favorites.
Use Feeders Wisely – A simple sugar-water mix (4 parts water to 1 part sugar, no dye) works perfectly. Clean feeders every few days to prevent mold and bacteria.
Provide Shelter – Small trees and shrubs offer perching and nesting spots.
Hummingbirds beat their wings about 50 times per second.
They have excellent memories and will return to the same feeder year after year.
Despite their size, they are fiercely territorial, often chasing away much larger birds from their food sources.
Memorial Day. I decided to skip my usual park and head to Bay Port, one of the oldest places in Hernando County with a rich history. But for me, it’s just a spot to snap some pics of all sorts of sea birds, including the majestic Bald Eagles. Lately, I haven’t been as lucky with them, and I thought I’d be home empty-handed again. But guess what? As I was about to leave, I spotted a huge bird in the distance. And right away, I knew it was a Bald Eagle!
Most Americans think these birds only live north, but they actually also live in Florida, even as far south as South Florida. I’ve even seen them nesting there!
Taking pictures of these birds is always a pleasure.
I'm fascinated by bird portrait photography. While capturing the entire bird showcases the vivid colors of its feathers, shooting portraits highlights the beauty of its eyes. Birds' eyes come in a stunning variety of colors. Click on the image to zoom in and appreciate the details.
This was a rare and extraordinary event that few have ever witnessed. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, capturing a moment that many may never see in their lifetime.
American Robins are found in Florida, particularly during the winter months. Here's a bit more detail:
During my weekend visit to a local park, I managed to photograph one. Here are some of the pictures I captured.
Pictures were taken using a Canon R6 Mark I, EF100-400L Mark II and 1.4X Mark III Extender.
The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) is a beautiful and elusive songbird that you can spot in Florida, especially during the winter months. These birds are medium-sized thrushes known for their lovely, flute-like song, often heard in their breeding range but less so during their time in Florida.
This is the first time I photographed one.
Mating season had begun, and male cardinals were actively chasing females, so much so that they paid little attention to my close presence.
The end of the year vacation ended and I'm happy with the pictures that I took during this time. This Pileated Woodpecker pictures is an example of this.
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| Click on the picture to appreciate the details. |
In March 2025, I'll reach 10 years since I got my first DSLR, a Nikon D5200, and began regularly taking wildlife pictures, mostly of birds and sometimes the two legged animals called humans 😂.
It has been a long learning process. When I look back at the pictures I took back then, I can see the significant improvement I've made over these 10 years.
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| Photo taken in 2015 using the Nikon D5200. |
I've taken more than 69,000 pictures, and that doesn't even include the ones that ended up in the Windows Trash Bin. This number may seem small for some photographers that use their camera in burst mode and shoot thousands of photos in one session. But believe me, these are 69000 pictures edited by me representing long hours seating in front of my computer.
You can see these pictures organized by albums at Flickr, the platform that use to backup online my pictures.
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| Photo from my album Quinceañera, from November 2015. One of my first attempts to shoot an event. At that time I was a firm believer in not editing my photos. |
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| This is one of my latest photos in a Karate Event, using a Canon R6 Mark I. | |
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| Another picture taken with the Canon R6 Mark I, an example of me editing a photo. |
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| From time to time strangers ask for their photos to be taken. Taken using the Canon R6 Mark I. |
Birds in flight photography is one of the most challenging aspects of bird photography. It’s not just about having a camera with great autofocus and a fast lens to track the bird; a lot relies on having the right camera settings. In this situation, shooting in Auto Mode simply won’t cut it.
So, how do I approach it? I’ve configured my Canon R6 with custom settings specifically for Birds in Flight, saved to the C3 memory slot. This allows me to quickly access my optimized settings with a simple switch to C3. I prefer shooting in Shutter Priority mode, setting the shutter speed at around 1/3000 to freeze the motion, while letting the camera automatically handle the aperture and ISO. This approach simplifies the process and keeps me focused on the action.
The results speak for themselves, as seen in this stunning capture of a red-shouldered hawk in flight.
Yesterday we visited the city of Lakeland, Florida, specifically Lake Morton. The main reason of our visit was to photograph the Swans that were gifted to this city by Queen Elizabeth II.
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| Using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L |
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| Using a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L |
I was out walking the other day, searching for good photo opportunities, when I rounded a tree and suddenly heard a call. Before I knew it, a beautiful Red-Shouldered Hawk was flying right toward me.
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| Taken using R6 Mark I w/EF100-400L. |
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Normally, I have my R6 set to C1, which I've configured for Aperture Priority. I didn't have time to react and switch it to C3, which is set for Shutter Priority—the best setting for birds in flight. That's why the picture isn't as sharp as it could be.Patience is a virtue and you really need that in wildlife photography. May be that is the reason why I never have been that close to a kingfisher.
