Black Vulture: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, January 2024 — The Black Vultures were a bit overly familiar at Orlando Wetlands. They come and sit on the railings and gates of the new boardwalk and challenge your passage. It the end they always give way, but it is not always apparent that they will. It does make for some interesting portrait opportunities though. 🙂 OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 100-400IS at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Still very early in the morning with the sun not far above the horizon and still hidden by clouds. Processed in Photomator and Apple Photos.

Limpkin: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, USA, January 2024. Another Florida specialty and one that is relatively easy to see most years at Orlando Wetlands Park. The Limpkin is a highly specialized bird, living mostly on a diet of Apple Snails…though they do take small reptiles and amphibians when other snails when the supply of Apple Snails is low. They are alone in a family of birds of their own but apparently most closely related to the cranes and rails. OM Systems OM-1 with the ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Purple Gallinule: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida, January 2024 — One of the reasons birders go to Orlando Wetlands Park, the final natural water treatment plant for the City of Orlando, is to see Purple Gallinule, which are more regular there than almost any other place in this area of Florida. There is a whole story behind finding this cooperative bird, involving tired feet and asking directions and facing a reluctant march back out to the far reaches…only to find this one quite near where I got my final instructions…which was a relief to my feet! I took maybe 500 shots of this bird, just to be safe 🙂 Amazing bird. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.