We took a bike ride through Pond Apple Trail today. It was a great day for photo ops! We saw many Anhinga, Common Gallinule with their babies, Mottled Ducks and babies, a gator, a turtle, and the Juvenile Black-Crowned night Heron below. Our friend, Hugh, will correct me if I'm wrong on that identification, though! It was bigger than I would have thought. When it first flew to this branch, I thought it was a young Limpkin, but then realized that the beak wasn't long enough.
The light was really harsh and I couldn't get a good clear shot of the little Common Gallinule family, but I grabbed this snapshot of the parents and five little babies.
Bet you can't look at this next picture and not say, "Awwwww!"
This turtle never got into a position for a good photo. His shell was probably about 12 inches across.
This small gator kept an eye on us.
This female Anhinga perched on a branch right over our heads so we could get some photos.
I usually have a hard time getting photos of a cardinal. They just won't sit still for me. This one was very accommodating, though!
I believe this is a Great Crested Flycatcher.
The Anhinga is still taking care of the nest in the tree behind our home. Hoping for babies soon!