Osprey Nesters at Lake Piney Z: 3/20/2016

My trips in the kayaks are somewhat fewer and farther between while I care for dad, who is in his 93rd year. On this trip I found nesting ospreys. A third osprey was trying to raid the nest and daddy osprey fought him off. There are two chicks in this nest. 

By the kayak trail: Lake Piney Z

I have been unsuccessful thus far, in persuading the city to move these alligators. It is against the law to hunt alligators in a city park but they could be moved to another lake to make kayakers just a bit safer. Anyway, they are magnificent animals and they have never menaced me.

Lake Piney Z in Tallahassee: 2/20/2016

In February I got back on my favorite in-town lake. This lake changes with each trip and I love recording the comings and goings of its avian residents, the changing cypress colors, and the drama I find in the animal world. I found a black bellied whistling duck, pileated woodpecker, and the nest which was being prepared by the nesting ospreys in my March post. Several Pileated woodpeckers nest on this lake and you can see them at dawn flying out and at dusk flying in. It is a bit tricky getting these hole shots but since I have been studying this lake I know when they will fly in and what holes they are using and I get interesting shots. I hope you like them.