Waccatee Zoo - Migratory Birds

I recently published an article showing you the cute animal Faces from the Waccatee Zoological Farm .  I mentioned that there was also a breeding ground included at the farm for many species of migratory birds.  This was an amazing part of the farm and I spent about a half hour there watching the herons and egrets building their nests.  I have never seen so many herons in one spot.  The nest were really amazing, filled with white feathers, branches and twigs.  I saw the birds going into the woods for twigs and flying back with them, adding them to the already enormous nests.  Here are some of the pictures I was able to get.  There were also turtles swimming and sunning themselves.

Without a camera or binoculars all of this area just appears to be big white "things" in the trees.  If you go you really need to take binoculars with you.  My Canon PowerShot S3IS with the tele-converter lens really did a great job of bringing these beautiful scenes closer.

Most of the photos speak for themselves.  I'm not always sure whether I am seeing an egret or a heron, so just enjoy.

These photos show what the area looks like without binoculars or a zoom lens. 

Now, back to the photographs I zoomed in on.  A lot of the shots came out better than expected, and some made me wonder what I was trying to get a photo of. 

Bird Condo

See the turtles on the right climbing the tree?

Here a little black bird was visiting.  I have no idea what he is.

Adding branches to her nest.

I need some information here.  A lot of the birds had their feathers all fluffed out like this.  At first I thought it was pulled feathers to make the nest, then I found this bird and saw that her feathers are making this scene.  It wasn't windy, so they aren't blowing open, I am amazed though at the sight.  This was the only photo that came out well enough to show you what I saw.

BLUE HERON

I thought I was finished here and just as I was walking away I spotted this beautiful blue heron flying over the water.  I was lucky enough to capture these few photos of him.  What a treat.

Turtles

I have never seen this species of turtle.  Notice his head has red and yellow bands on it.  (Or maybe it is white and brown.  I couldn't see it up close, this is through the lens.

Thanks for coming along on the tour.  I hope you all saw something you liked.