Celery Fields is a 400 acre site located in Sarasota, Florida. This county-owned birding hotspot hosts a large number of diverse bird species. The area consists of a variety of habitats; deep and shallow ponds, open marshlands and wetlands, mudflats, canals and grassy fields. The eastern and southern boundaries are edged by pine, willow and oak trees. Two boardwalks can be found on the site and there are plans to build a nature center in the near future.
To date, 217 bird species have been recorded at Celery Fields. Depending on what time of year one visits, Swallow-tailed Kites and Bald Eagles can be spotted soaring aloft. If you look closely along the reed edges, Least Bitterns, King Rails and Soras might be found skulking about. Foraging beauties like Roseate Spoonbills, Limpkins, Tricolored Herons and Glossy Ibis are a common presence observed from the boardwalks. The brushy areas attract a variety of sparrows such as vesper, savannah and grasshopper. Northern Harriers and Red-shouldered Hawks scan the open fields for prey. Be sure to take a look at the ponds and canals for Purple Gallinules, Short-billed Dowitchers and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. Celery Fields is indeed a glorious spot for birding!
A stunning Little Blue Heron shows off its midnight blue feathers
A long-legged beauty ~ Black-necked Stilt
Two Red-shouldered Hawks look out over the open fields
Exploring the grassy berm ~ Limpkins
A Green Heron swallows a tiny food morsel
A Crested Caracara soaks in the bright morning sun
Pretty in pink ~ Roseate Spoonbill
Flipping its prey ~ Anhinga
A prehistoric looking Wood Stork glides in for a landing
An elusive American Bittern forages in the marsh
Soaring aloft ~ Northern Harrier
A group of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks edge closer to the pond
A beautiful Tricolored Heron takes wing
Seeking nourishment ~ White Ibis
A pretty Greater Yellowlegs wades in the shallow pond
A very common sight at Celery Fields ~ Osprey
Posted by Julie Gidwitz
Nature's Splendor Blog ~ http://naturessplendor-julie.blogspot.com/
Oh, my goodness, your photography is stunningly beautiful. I would love to be able to visit this hotspot some day. Viewing this incredible series of shots makes my adrenaline pump.
ReplyDeleteJulie, oh my goodness! Most of these species would be lifers in anybody's book! What wonderful birds you saw and what wonderful photos you took! While i have seen most of these species, that Limpkin has still eluded me! I guess I will just have to visit Florida again soon!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures! Were these taken recently? I've noticed a decrease in wildlife at the celery fields since the construction of the restrooms, parking lot etc. Perhaps it's the time of year/day when I've been there recently?
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly for the nice comments, SRQ! A few of these photographs were taken recently. I was on vacation last week and visited Celery Fields many times. All of the above birds were seen, with the exception of the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. I too have noticed a decrease in the wildlife around the parking lot and Palmer boardwalk. I did notice bird sightings seem to be up at the Raymond Boardwalk, though. A King Rail has been in the area recently and is drawing big crowds!
DeleteEspecially love the caracara and the wood stork.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
Gr. John
HI Katie Now I was wondering where Celery Fields was situated in Florida? Also I wondered what time of the year were you there and what is the best time of year to visit? Now al your photographs are wonderful especially the flight shots. You must have had a great trip. I certainly would love to visit this area
ReplyDeleteAn appreciative thank you for the kind remarks, Margaret! Celery Fields can be found in Sarasota, Florida, 43 miles south of Tampa. I was there last week and saw close to 50 species of birds. I also often visit in November, and have tallied a large variety of birds as well. You can take a look at eBird (eBird.org) to find out the birds most likely to be seen at the time you plan to visit. Also, be sure to check out the Sarasota Audubon Society home page for more information. I hope you will be able to visit this wonderful birding hotspot in the near future!
ReplyDeleteA terrific post on a really great spot to go birding! It's a special place I need to visit more often.
ReplyDeleteSuperb photography! I really like the young Red-shouldered Hawk with (presumably) a parent.
Thank you for sharing your experience there and all the fantastic images!
Hi Julie, What a wonderful post, “The Birds of Celery Fields”. Your photos are so great that I immediately thought of planning a trip to see this birding paradise. I looked it up on Google Maps and see that it’s about half-way down the west coast of Florida. It must just be perfect place for birds and other wildlife with the warm, humid, year-around conditions. As always, several of your photographs are “stunners”! The Little Blue Heron … how did you get so close? The Black-necked Stilt … a first for me. It needs some deeper water if it wants to float! :-) The Red-shouldered Hawks … appear to be posing for your camera. Great! The Green Heron … such delicate colors and love that pattern in the wings. The Crested Caracara … again, how did you get so close … and the angle is just perfect. Anhinga … Action photo! Cool! The Wood Stork … it’s funny, even before I read your caption I thought to myself … Wow, prehistoric. You are so right! The Whistling Ducks … You can see them every Wednesday on the Run Around Ranch blog but never have I seen a better photo of them than yours. Love the composition on that one too. Lastly, the Heron and Osprey in flight … those photos NEED to be in a guidebook. Awesome. Once again a marvelous post from you. Great work Julie. Thanks so much for sharing. John
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, What a wonderful post, “The Birds of Celery Fields”. Your photos are so great that I immediately thought of planning a trip to see this birding paradise. I looked it up on Google Maps and see that it’s about half-way down the west coast of Florida. It must just be perfect place for birds and other wildlife with the warm, humid, year-around conditions. As always, several of your photographs are “stunners”! The Little Blue Heron … how did you get so close? The Black-necked Stilt … a first for me. It needs some deeper water if it wants to float! :-) The Red-shouldered Hawks … appear to be posing for your camera. Great! The Green Heron … such delicate colors and love that pattern in the wings. The Crested Caracara … again, how did you get so close … and the angle is just perfect. Anhinga … Action photo! Cool! The Wood Stork … it’s funny, even before I read your caption I thought to myself … Wow, prehistoric. You are so right! The Whistling Ducks … You can see them every Wednesday on the Run Around Ranch blog but never have I seen a better photo of them than yours. Love the composition on that one too. Lastly, the Heron and Osprey in flight … those photos NEED to be in a guidebook. Awesome. Once again a marvelous post from you. Great work Julie. Thanks so much for sharing. John
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others who suggested your photos being used in guide books... spectacular! I think you have a second career waiting with National Geographic.
ReplyDelete