My, look how big you've grown. (Part 1)

        The first week in August marks the halfway point of summer. In Florida, birds begin their breeding cycles by late winter, continuing into spring and early summer. This summer we are spotting baby birds everywhere, many in our own backyard. We would like to share some of our favorite photos of young birds and what they will look like when they grow up.  Enjoy.

        I'm youth, I'm joy, I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg. 

 (James M. Barrie) 

       CRESTED CARACARA:  The Florida subspecies is known as "Audubon's Crested Caracara". A member of the Falcon family, they are present year round and can be found mainly inland around Lake Okeechobee.  We have seen them in open pastures and along roadsides feasting on their favorite food..."roadkill".  We love taking photos of ANY bird on a fence post, we were extremely blessed to get both the young and adult posing on posts.  The juvenile is brownish overall with a dark brown crown and has a thick bill with a pinkish or horn-colored base.

CRESTED CARACARA  (IMMATURE)

        When full grown, it becomes a striking raptor.  Adult males and females are similar in appearance. They are black overall, with a black crown and nape.  The neck and breast are white with dark barring.  The adult's bill has a blueish tip and an orange base.  Notice two things about this adult. First, the yellow spot on the breast.  This is the bird's "crop" protruding through the feathers, an indication that it just had a full meal. Second, the bands on the legs.  The band on the right leg is larger and has an antenna attached, visible near the talons of the right foot.  This is a GPS device that tracks the bird's movements.  Crested Caracaras in Florida are a federally threatened subspecies, so it's very important to know where they are.

CRESTED CARACARA  (ADULT)

           TRICOLORED HERON:  This species formerly known as the "Louisiana Heron" is a year-round resident of Florida.  It has a long neck and legs, and a very long tapered bill.  The head, neck, back and wings are blue with reddish feathers along the lower neck and back.  The belly is pure white.  The neck and throat are white streaked.  Tricolored Herons are very entertaining.  While foraging, they sometimes run around in the water with outstretched wings.  This casts a shadow on the water to help them find their food.

        The immature Tricolored Heron has more of a rusty-brown overall appearance.

TRICOLORED HERON  (IMMATURE)

        When full grown, it becomes a gorgeous wading bird.  Adult males and females are similar in appearance.  This adult is on the hunt. 

TRICOLORED HERON  (ADULT)

              Be sure to check back for part 2.....tweet.....tweet!!