Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Anclote Gulf Park is located on the Florida Gulf coast where the Anclote River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. There is a group of parks close together in the area - this was the only one open. The rest were closed due to damage from Irma.

Here are nine photos - hope you will enjoy viewing them. As always, comments and critiques are welcome.

I am ferocious black panther and I'm going to eat you!

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Great Blue Heron hanging out on the fishing pier.

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Male Cardinal in the early morning light

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A Pair of Yellow Warblers

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Boat-tailed Grackle - Male

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Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly in flight

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Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly close-up

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Common Gallinule - Juvenile

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Monarch Butterfly

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Common Gallinule - Mature

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danersmiff

Nice pics Mr Madman. My ex father- in-law always referred to those big black birds as Grackles also. My question, as a non birder, is it different species than either Ravens, or Crows? thanks, if you know... really like the black cat. That is exactly the way they walk, like they are going to eat you...

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent set Larry.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Thank you for looking in and commenting

The grackles are separate species from both the ravens and crows and are smaller than both. Very often they will be hidden in trees, heard but not seen. Their iridescence makes them quite attractive. Females have a bronze colored body.

There was a pair of those black cats that popped up over a fence near a picnic table. I'm sure that they are accustomed to handouts - they didn't get any from us.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Thanks Jim. I always appreciate your looking in and your kind comments.

danersmiff

Thanks for the answer and the time! I will start watching black birds a little more closely...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice set. I was recently on Cape Cod, and a woman said to me, "I just saw a blue heron in the water." My mind started working. What's a blue heron? I started picturing dolphins and various fish. When I got to the water, I realized what she meant. It was the "in the water" that threw me. : )

Lame-Duck Loc: Fresno, California

Very nicely done set Madman. I really like that in-flight shot of the butterfly.

angela k Loc: Long Island

Larry... a wonderful set with beautiful critters and love the variety!!! Your butterfly in flight is perfect, as are the others and I have a strong connection to your monarch after raising 18... from what I can tell, looks like a male!

Thanks for sharing!!

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Thanks Jerry for looking in and commenting.

Yep, Great Blue and Little Blue Herons are wading birds, not fishies! They do make a meal out of fishies though!

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Thank you very much Lame-Duck for looking in your comments.

I followed that butterfly for a long time, taking several dozen shots trying to get one in flight. That was the only successful shot. Glad that you liked it - I did too.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Angela, I appreciate your looking in and your flattering comments very much. I took several dozen shots of that butterfly to get one in flight and that's exactly how many I got! I'm not an expert on monarchs (or any butterflies for that matter), but I read that the male has a spot on the inner surface of the wing. Don't know exactly where that would be, so more research is required. I think it is admirable that you raise them!

angela k Loc: Long Island

I've posted pictures of males and they do have two black ovals on their lower wing, but sometimes you can tell from the underside and see a dimple where they're are!
Out of 18 monarchs, I had only 6 females!!

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Excellent downloads and variety Larry, love the inflight butterfly. Good to see some wildlife survived Irma.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Thank you very much Sylvia. I like the inflight butterfly also - took a while to get it. Also, I like the monarch as they are so rare now-a-days.

The hurricane caused some wildlife to leave, but it also brought some species with it that we don't normally see. Biggest problem for us nature freaks is the closing of many nature preserves due to flooding and downed trees. But don't worry, we'll find places to go in November!