Red Azalea Closeup

Hello, these are some photos of an locally growing

Azalea shrub. The flower is delicate looking  and beautiful. 

The stamen's have what appears to be a silver colored ball on the end.

Azalea's are a type of rhododendrons that may be an oriental import or an "evergreen" variety. 

Although all azaleas and rhododendrons are classed as Rhododendron by plant taxonomists, the name "azalea" is commonly used for native deciduous species and some evergreen Oriental types. At least according to the University of Missouri.

Polistes carolina (PAPER WASP)

Paper wasps (vespid subfamily Polistinae) frequently nest on or in window sills or under roof overhangs.

This particular paper wasp took up residence inside of a cable box. 

I removed the cover of the box after seeing the wasp climb inside so I could get these pictures. 

I even managed to get a couple of fairly decent shots of it in flight. 

                 

SPEEDY SWALLOW TAIL OR MARTINS?

  I was at Lake Shipp park on the morning of Thursday, February 17, 2011 and saw a large number of what might have been Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), tree swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor), violet-green swallows (Tachycineta thalassina), bank swallows (Riparia riparia), northern rough-winged swallows (Stelgidopteryx serripennis ), cave swallows ( Petrochelidon fulva pelodoma (=pallida) or Petrochelidon fulva fulva group) or cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota ).

 They were flying too fast and erratically for me to make a good visual identification of them. It was fun and challenging to get even these photo's of them. 

Yes, I know that the photos are low quality, but what do you expect out of a Kodak CX7430 easyshare point and shoot camera? 

Cliff and Barn Swallows normally winter in South America, spending a large amount of time migrating back and forth between North and South America. They begin a northward migration in late winter or early spring flying an overland route through Central America and Mexico. 

Swallows have a tendency to utilize the same nesting sites over a lifetime if there are no major environmental changes in the site. Swallows typically build robust nests out of mud daubs and grasses that will last for years. If the conditions are suitable, they will frequently use the same nest for many years. 

GRACKLE HEN AT LAKE SHIP PARK

While at a local park the other day, I took these photo's of what I believe are a Female Boat Tailed Grackle. Unfortunately, I could not get close enough for a really good photograph.

According to Cornell University's Lab Of Ornithology, the female boat tail  grackle (Quiscalus major) can easily be mistaken for another species of bird.

http://www.enature.com says that the female Boat Tailed Grackle will average about twelve to thirteen inches in length with brown wings and a paler brown breast. 

IMAGES OF A RING BILLED GULL

 I was at the boat launch of Lake Howard in Winter Haven, Fl.

 when I took these images of a Ring Billed Gull (Larus 

delawarensis). The Cornell University's Lab of

Ornithology describes the Ring Billed Gull

 as a familiar parking lot gull that breeds in the inland parts of North

America.

                   

                               Current research indicates that many of these gulls return to their original feeding grounds and areas when they no longer receive handouts of foods. This gull's natural primary diet reportedly consists of fish, insects, earthworms, rodents, grain and garbage.

Other research indicates that large numbers of these "seagulls" never see salt water, but actually spend their lives in inland freshwater. They are also believed to return as adults to the same nesting areas that they were hatched at when possible. 

PURPLE GALLINULES AT LAKE HOWARD

I was taking pictures in Winter Haven, Fl. at Lake

Howard’s Boat Ramp on January 31, 2011 when I got these images of several different Purple Gallinules (Porphyrio martinica). 

 This bird may also be known as a mud hen, purple mud hen,  purple swamp hen or yellow-legged gallinule. 

Adult Purple Gallinules are a medium-sized bird, with stunning purple-blue plumage. The upper wings are a glossy turquoise-blue with the main body varying from glossy green to a glossy bluish-violet. 

 The under tail has a white triangular shaped covert. The eyes are red with a black pupil. The legs are yellow with long toes to make it easy for the bird to walk on aquatic plants. 

Cuban Brown Anoles ( Anolis sagrei sagrei )

Here in central Florida small lizards are commonly seen on trees, fences, shrubs and in many other places. 

                                                

Commonly, they are Cuban Brown Anoles ( Anolis sagrei sagrei ). The name anole is frequently pronounced phonetically as uh-noh-lee.

                                                   

You may also see an occasional Green anole (Anolis carolinensis), but they are becoming increasingly rare. The most common elements of their diet are bugs and other insects. Though on one occasion I was astonished to see one that had swallowed about half of an small earthworm while the worm was still alive. It is my understanding that anoles eat only live prey because they have see it move before they can take it. 

                                             

  Male anole's have a dew lap or throat fan that is used for either courtship or defensive purposes. It is brightly colored and frequently extended from under the head. The deployment of the dew lap is normally accompanied by head bobbing or "push ups" during courtship or defense.

                                                

   They are considered to be excellent prey for a variety of other predators such as egrets, herons, cats and children (though children seldom actually eat them).