These small birds with their large heads, long pointed beaks and rapid flight are incredibly challenging to photograph in flight. On a trip to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge last fall I watched several of these little speedy fliers zip around over the water. They are so quick I can understand why they are called Kingfishers as they swiftly catch fish and dart back to safety to eat their meal.

I was intently focused on photographing Belted Kingfishers in flight as they darted by my camera one evening at Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge. The sun was quickly setting and I turned around and this “jewel” sat on a dead limb directly behind me! I thought it was a Juvenile Black-Crowned Night-Heron because I had seen several flying around earlier but something was very different. It was the seldom seen Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron.

For two years now a male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak has temporarily appeared in my back yard. He was apparently traveling somewhere north of the Blue Ridge Mountains to spend the summer. I had a narrow window of about three days to nab a photo of this colorful bird. Last year he led me on an elusive chase but this year I got one unobstructed, three second opportunity to photograph this colorful bird. I also was fortunate enough to hear his melodic song. I hope next year he comes back and brings his sweetie and decides to stay and raise a family. The mountains are a nice place to live.

I had the privilege of coming upon a pair of adult Limpkins feeding their six downy chicks by the edge of the water in Viera Wetlands. It was such a gift to be part of this wonderful activity. The adults would catch the Apple Snails, then crack the shells and feed just the meat of the snail to their baby chicks. What a treat!

This beautiful blue  scrub jay is very uncommon but if you know where to find them, they are very curious and will come and visit.  They are found in scrub and low oaks in central Florida.