Florida Scrub-jays are the only Florida endemic bird species–found nowhere else in the world. These differ from Western Scrub-jays by their behaviors and smaller size. Scientists have found specimens in Alachua County dating to early Pleistocene, two million years ago, long before humans arrived. The photograph taken by Lynn Walsh with a Canon Powershot reveals…

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Sanderlings, small sandpipers, in groups of 3-4 are commonly seen on sandy beaches rushing after the receding waves probing for mole crabs (aka “sand fleas). The life of the mole crab is spent in that wash zone, bubbles indicate where they are, the whole reason Sanderlings specialize in scuttling back and forth with each wavelet.…

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Our largest North American woodpecker, the Pileated is 16 inches from beak to tail and wingspan 2.5 feet, yet weighs only 10 oz.. Don Schuster’s photograph (Canon EOS 50D 417 mm lens) shows one characteristically clinging to an older tree and features the black and white plumage, grasping claws, and erect red crest (the Pileus,…

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Have you seen this majestic flyer soaring high above our Lagoon or beaches? Taken from the 17th St. Bridge in Vero Beach, Stephanie Black’s photograph (Canon t2i 250mm lens) depicts the amazing 7-foot wingspread, deeply forked tail, and long, hooked bill of the Magnificent Frigatebird. Only males sport this thin red membrane at the throat…

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