A journey of over 100 miles led me to Celery Fields, where vibrant Painted Buntings stole the show. Often called North America’s most beautiful bird, I was lucky to capture both a dazzling male and a vivid female. Alongside them, feeders buzzed with life - grackles, warblers, gnatcatchers! Also stopped by the Purple Martin house.

Evening visit at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, a former cattle ranch now restored to native wetland habitat.

Spotting a flock of elegant White Pelicans during their winter visit to Florida brought rare delight. These migratory birds exhibit unique feeding habits, preferring isolated areas away from open waters. The sighting of a pair of Great Horned Owls added a touch of enchantment, reaffirming the sanctuary status of Robinson Preserve.