Thursday, June 23, 2011

Kayaking - Skywatch Friday


My kayaking view from upper Tampa Bay.


I'm paddling along and I see this bird in the dead mangroves (still dead from the big freeze winter before this last one).


I stop and think "I've never seen this bird before." I paddle backwards towards the birds and get out my camera.


When I got home I looked it up in the Florida Audubon guide. I think it's an eastern kingbird, which is a type of flycatcher. If so, then it's a first for me. I had my small point and shoot camera so I wasn't able to get a good close up of them. And rocking back and forth in a kayak doesn't help. There was 2 of them and they flew around the edge of the mangroves for a while. They didn't seem to be too skittish (not as bad as kingfishers) but if my kayak floated too close to the mangroves they would move over a few branches.


Least terns on the sign.


There's usually a least tern on every crab trap bouy.

For more skyscape photography from around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.



8 comments:

  1. yup, recognized the kingbirds right away. they will occasionally gather at our pond and do their dipping routines off the water. they're wonderful. and that water... ooh la la. so beautiful! thanks for sharing!

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  2. Great photos of those Kingbirds despite the adverse conditins!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. Best day for birding. No dark clouds in the sky!

    SWF

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  4. Such a treat to look up in the sky with such gorgeous views!

    My Skywatch, please come by anytime.

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  5. Such nice photos--and what fun to be shooting them as you paddle along. Nice way to spend a little time. Have a lovely weekend. Mickie :)

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  6. Birds have such wonderful personalities. You captured them well.

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  7. The first photo is beautiful, and I love the kingbird with an insect in its mouth. Great sky-watching, Dina.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  8. You got some great shots from your kayak!

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