BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, EAGLE LAKES COMMUNITY PARK, NAPLES, FL

   This Black-crowned Night-Heron is in the process of molting from a juvenile to an adult.  This generally occurs this time of year.  The bird has the black crown of an adult, but still has the yellow on the bill of a juvenile.  It does not yet have the black back of an adult.

PORTRAITS OF A BALD EAGLE, SUGDEN REGIONAL PARK, NAPLES, FL

BALD EAGLES AT PLAY OR SOMETHING, SUGDEN REGIONAL PARK, NAPLES, FL

   Not sure what the two Bald Eagles are doing here.  At first we thought they might be mating, but in looking it up, it seems they mate in the air at high altitude.

BALD EAGLE PREENING ITSELF, SUGDEN REGIONAL PARK, NAPLES, FL

BALD EAGLE IN NEST, SUGDEN REGIONAL PARK, NAPLES, FL

AN OSPREY IN THE WATER AMONG FRIENDS, CLAM PASS BEACH, NAPLES, FL

   I thought these were unusual photos; this is the first time We have seen a Osprey in the water like this especially with other birds nearby.

PAINTED BUNTING, SUGDEN REGIONAL PARK, NAPLES, FL

   These photos were taken at or near a birdfeeder across a canal at the western edge of Sugden Regional Park.  The first two photos are of  female Painted Buntings.  The last photo is of a male Painted Bunting.

   The male Painted Bunting is unmistakeable, with a dark blue head, bright green back and red front and rump (can't see the rump in this photo).  All the colors in this photo are muted because of the shadow.  The female Painted Bunting has a bright green back and head and a yellow or yellowish-green front.  You can see these bright colors in the firsr photo; in the second photo they are muted.

   The Painted Bunting is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 263.