Juvenile Snail Kite

Paul Demkovich

It sure has been hot in central and south Florida this summer! We drove to Kissimmee for a family event and stopped at a park at Lake Tohopekalia around noon to stretch our legs after a long drive. It was noonish with a clear sky and very hot, so we weren’t expecting to see much. There was fishing pier in the lake and I walked that direction for a better look. As I did, this juvenile Snail Kite emerged from under the pier and landed on a wood post about 30 feet from me. It was such a beautiful bird! I was surprised to see that it had been banded… We watched each other for several minutes before it flew off.

Juvenile Snail Kite

Black-and-white Warbler