MALE BELTED KINGFISHER, NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN, NAPLES, FL

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK, EAGLE LAKES COMMUNITY PARK, NAPLES, FL

CACTUS GROWING ON TREE, LABELLE NATURE PARK, LABELLE, FL

   The theory as to how a cactus ended up growing on a tree trunk, is that the seeds were brought by Hurricane Wilma and landed and took root on the tree trunk.

LIMPKIN ON SIGN, BARRON PARK WHARF, LABELLE, FL

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT SPREADING IT'S WINGS, POND AT CARILLON PLACE MALL, NAPLES, FL

WHITE IBIS IN FLIGHT & ON GROUND, POND AT CARILLON PLACE MALL, NAPLES, FL

HOODED MERGANSERS, POND IN CARILLON PLACE MALL, NAPLES, FL

   The Hooded Merganser in the first photo is a  breeding male and in the second photo a female.  We can ID the duck in the first photo as a breeding male Hooded Merganser by its black head with large crest and white spot; black upperparts; chestnut sides; yellow eyes and two black spurs.  The female Hooded Merganswer in the second photo can be identified by its rufous crest and brown eyes.

   The pond at Carillon Place Mall in Naples is located behind the stores.  The mall is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Pine Ridge Rd. and Airport Pulling Rd.

   The Hooded Merganser is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 509.

   

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