Photographed this Snail Kite actively hunting, flying low over the calm surface while carrying visible prey dangling from its talons. I took this at Harns Marsh Preserve in Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: While many raptors carry captured snails to a perch, Snail Kites are also observed consuming their prey right there in mid-flight, often dropping the empty shell afterward.

Shot this with Sony a6700 + Sony 200-600. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Photographed this Green Heron standing on a wooden railing. I took this at Lakes Park while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: As one of the smaller heron species, its compact size enables it to navigate and forage effectively in dense vegetation and from narrow perches, like the wooden railing in the scene, which larger wading birds cannot access.

Shot this with Sony a6700 + Sony 200-600. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Photographed this Black Skimmer with its large orange bill wide open. I took this at Carlos Point while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: This bird hunts by flying just above the water's surface, precisely dragging its lower mandible to slice through the water and snatch small fish.

Shot this with Sony a6700 + Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Photographed this Burrowing Owl resting on a low perch. I took this at Pelican Baseball Complex while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: In Florida, Burrowing Owls are considered a species of greatest conservation need.

Shot this with Sony a6700 + Sony 200-600. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking my photo out!

Photographed this Northern Mockingbird surveying its surroundings from a thin support pole. I took this at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: Elevated perches, such as a thin support pole, are frequently used by Northern Mockingbirds to gain a commanding view of their territory, allowing them to survey for food, predators, and rivals.

Shot this with Sony a6700 + Sony 200-600. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out! https://www.adventuresswflorida.com

Photographed this Laughing Gull actively splashing while maneuvering forcefully through the shallow surf. I took this at Bowman's Beach while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: When working in shallow water environments, Laughing Gulls can use a specialized "foot-paddling" technique, vigorously stirring the sediment with their strong webbed feet to dislodge small invertebrates.

Shot this with Sony a6700 + Sony 200-600. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out! https://www.adventuresswflorida.com

Photographed this Oystercatcher actively wading and foraging near the bank. I took this at Carlos Point while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: The American Oystercatcher's bright orange bill is laterally compressed and knife-like, perfectly adapted for prying open the shells of bivalves.

Shot this with Sony a6400 + Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out! https://www.adventuresswflorida.com

Seriously: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/spy-pigeons-167097967/

i found out some bird have 2 noses behind their head today buriede under thier feathers to emphasise thier smell or whatever the word is

Photographed this Purple Gallinule hiding in the water lilies. I took this at Lakes Park in Fort Myers Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: With a purple-blue body, green back, red-and-yellow bill, and bright yellow legs, it’s one of the most striking birds in North America.

Shot this with Sony a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out! "https://blinq.me/xEfnhnlcstNm"

Photographed this Pileated Woodpecker chattering away. I took this at Lakes Park in Fort Myers Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: While mostly insect eaters, they also love wild berries, nuts, and even poison ivy fruits.

Shot this with Sony a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out! "https://blinq.me/xEfnhnlcstNm"

Photographed this Roseate Spoonbill just waking up as the sun rose. I took this at Bowditch Point in Fort Myers Beach Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: When resting, they’ll curl their long neck around and lay their spoon-shaped bill along their back, using their own feathers like a pillow.

Shot this with Sony a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Check out this sleepy Roseate spoonbill I caught at Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach Island while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: After feeding, they often dunk their entire heads underwater, then shake violently to clean off mud and slime from probing.

Shot this with my Sony a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Photographed this Black Skimmer having a little fun splashing in the ocean. I took this at Carlos Point in Fort Myers Beach Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: In group settings, skimming flights can be part of courtship or territorial displays, showing off flying skill to potential mates or rivals.

Shot this with a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Saw this crazy kid who looks like he had a rough night at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in St. Augustine Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida. It was a wild Snowy Egret nesting in the park.

Fun fact: Fluffy down is replaced by sleek juvenile feathers in 3–4 weeks.

Shot this with Sony a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Snapped this Tri-color Heron preening it's feathers. I took this at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in St. Augustine Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: Bill-as-comb - They use the serrated edges of their bill to align feather barbs and remove debris.

Shot this with a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Check out this Tri-color Heron that is checking you out. I took this at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in St. Augustine Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: Males perform sky-high display flights, often spiraling or zigzagging with their necks outstretched to impress females — not just standing there looking pretty.

Shot this with a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

I saw this Wood Stork at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: Learning to Fly: Around 7–8 weeks, young Wood Storks begin exercising their wings, hopping and flapping in the nest before taking short flights between branches.

Shot this with a6400, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

I found a little bird and let it fly

I caught this Black Skimmer buzzing the beach at Fort Myers Beach Florida while out photographing for my Adventures in Southwest Florida.

Fun fact: With a wingspan of nearly 4 feet, they appear much larger in flight than when standing on the beach.

Shot this with Sony a6700, Sigma 100-400. I share daily Southwest Florida wildlife shots and fun facts on IG "@AdventuresSWFlorida" – thanks for checking it out!

Hey nature lovers! 🦆

I created a short video sharing 10 surprising facts about the American Coot, using photos I personally captured in the wetlands of Southwest Florida. These birds may look like ducks at a glance, but they’re way weirder than most people realize — from their creepy feet to their aggressive behavior during mating season.

This is part of my Adventures in Southwest Florida YouTube channel where I explore local wildlife, birdwatching spots, and fun nature facts. If you enjoy birds, Florida wildlife, or original content from the field, I’d love for you to check it out!

▶️ Watch the full video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aktE-M91dJA

Let me know what you think — especially if you’ve seen coots acting wild like this too!

📸 All footage and photos are my own. Shot with Sony gear.

🌿 Location: Lakes Park, Harns Marsh and other SWFL preserves.