American Robin

     Today's featured feathered friend is the American Robin, the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin.  They are abundant year-round throughout the United States and their summer range includes most of Canada.  Here in southwest Florida, they begin to arrive by mid to late November, returning north in mid-March.       

     The Robin is the largest Thrush in North America.  Both males and females are about 10 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 15 1/2 inches.  Despite their deep-chested appearance they  weigh only 3 ounces.  Generally, adult males have a darker crown and reddish-orange breast.  Adult females are usually more subdued.  Juveniles are like adults but with buff spots on their backs and dark spots on their breasts. 

     Robins have a beautiful song, but rarely sing on their wintering grounds.  Sometimes after a rain shower we can hear them singing.  Otherwise, it's just a chorus of tooting birds, as they hop from branch to branch devouring berries from the many Brazilian Pepper trees around the yard. 

     Enjoy these photos of the American Robin.....tweet.....tweet!!  

American Robin (Male)
(Taken 11/27/11, Our Backyard)
(Brazilian Pepper Tree Berries)

American Robin (Female)

(Taken 2/28/12, Our Backyard)

American Robins
(Taken 3/1/12, Our Backyard)
(Turing our backyard in to a water park, one of our 5 birdbaths filled with Robins)

American Robins
(Another of the bird baths, our backyard)

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Robin

Razorbill Invasion in Florida

     Razorbill sightings have been occurring on both coasts of Florida over the past week.  Until now, there were less than 10 confirmed sightings in state history.  They are showing up in massive numbers on the east coast.  On the Gulf Coast they have been spotted off of Anna Maria Island, Venice, Stump Pass (Englewood) and Sanibel Island.

     In North America, Razorbills feed in the colder waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, from Maritime Canada to southern New England.  In the winter, they move as far south as New Jersey, sometimes Virginia.  The theory regarding the Florida invasion is that Hurricane Sandy greatly disrupted their food supply, driving them further south.

     We've read reports about birders from all over Florida going out to get a glimpse (and photos) of the Razorbill.  We didn't want to miss our chance so, on Friday the 14th we went to Stump Pass and walked up and down the beach for about 3 hours, nothing.  Then on Saturday the 15th, we spent most of the afternoon on Anna Maria Island, nothing.  Today, we drove to the Venice Jetty (south side) and walked to the end of the rock pier, nothing.  As we started walking back to the car we spotted one, then two more swimming together.  Many have described their appearance as miniature Penguins.  We saw a total of five and took over 400 photos, many from 15-20 feet from us.  Enjoy these photos of the Razorbill, a very rare Florida visitor.....tweet.....tweet!! 



Razorbill
(Taken 12/17/2012, South Jetty, Venice FL)

 

Pair of Razorbills looking for food
(Taken 12/17/2012, South Jetty, Venice FL)



Razorbill (Swimming underwater)
(Taken 12/17/2012, South Jetty, Venice FL)

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Razorbill/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razorbill

A Tribute to Waldo Chesnut

     Today's post is dedicated to the memory of Waldo Chesnut, Joan's Dad. Waldo went to be with Jesus, our Lord and Savior, on December 1st. 

     Dad was a frequent guest, visiting us four times over the past 2 1/2 years from Schenectady NY.  He made our hobby his own, spending hours sitting quietly watching the birds from the canopy swing in our backyard.  He accompanied us to the Scrub-Jay Festival at Oscar Scherer State Park in February.  He came along with us on birding trips to many parks in Englewood, to the nearby Venice Rookery and to the beaches of Gasparilla Island, Sarasota and Longboat Key.  We took Dad to Sanibel Island near Ft. Myers and on a very special trip to Clewiston, near the southern tip of Lake Okeechobee.

      We invite you to look at this photo tribute to Dad, Waldo Emerson Chesnut.  We love you Dad, and we will miss you so much. 

Getting acquainted with a Florida Scrub-Jay
(Taken 12/22/2010, Our backyard)

  

Dad at the South Jetty - Venice FL
(Taken 11/14/2011)

 

Dad at Boca Grande Lighthouse Park
(Taken 6/2/2010, Gasparilla Island FL)



A surprise visit from a Florida Scrub-Jay
(10/16/2011, Our backyard)

 

Dad at Cedar Point Environmental Park
(Taken 11/10/2011, Englewood FL)



Dad and Joan at the Florida Scrub-Jay Festival
(Taken 2/4/2012, Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey FL)



Dad keeping a sharp lookout for gators.
(Taken 2/4/2012, Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey FL)

Good bye Dad, We love you.
(Taken 1/20/2012, City Island, Ken Thompson Parkway, Lido Key FL)