For the birds

I'm always amazed at how Florida wildlife can prosper in the midst of some of our state's densest urban areas. The little lake I live on is just a hop, skip and a jump from downtown Orlando, yet at times it is an oasis of nature. One morning this week, I looked out the window to see a family of four Black Crowned Night Herons perched in a Live Oak above the water. I grabbed my camera and was shocked to find a plethora of wading birds; Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and even the occasional Wood Duck. It's the second time this spring where we've had this cluster of birds in one concentrated spot and my guess is that they are feeding on the fry of the Tilapia that spawn in great abundance this time of year.