We are at our “transition camp” (Fla-Net Campgound) getting things in Merlin organized and preparing for our trip to England on Tuesday to see Mum.
So to get a short break, I set up my new and as yet hardly used D4S with the 80-400mm zoom and wandered the campground for an hour.
I knew there are Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon) here because they have been teasing me ever since we arrived. Their call is very distinctive but these are particularly shy.
Having managed to get closer than ever before to the Belted Kingfisher, I was then delighted to catch sight of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubrid) flitting between the small orange wildflowers.
Finally as I was about to return to Merlin something swimming in the water caught my eye (until I caught it’s eye). At first I thought it might be an otter but examination of the image on the monitor led Louise to declare that it was a beaver (Castor canadensis). This is wonderful as it is my fist sighting ever of a beaver in the wild.
Gear Nikon D4S, Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 VRIII