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The Helpful Birder

Featured Posts General Birding

Where to Find Birds

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Featured Posts General Birding

Not All Blue Birds are Bluebirds

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How Nature Reuses Its Resources

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Bird Species Featured Posts

Species Spotlight: Swallow-tailed Kites

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  • Birding Travels

    Birding in Grand Cayman

    Post coming soon……

    April 1, 2025
  • Backyard Bird Feeding Station Ideas
    Backyard Birding

    Backyard Bird Feeding Station Ideas

    Watching birds visit your backyard can be a source of joy and wonder. If you’re a homeowner who loves the company of these feathered friends, creating a welcoming bird feeding station…

    September 28, 2023
  • green birds in Florida
    General Birding

    18 Beautiful Green Birds in Florida (With Photos!)

    Let’s delve into the enchanting world of green birds in Florida! As avid birders know, Florida is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of species. Among them, green…

    September 27, 2023
  • Bird Species

    Florida Birds of Prey

    Florida, a state renowned for its stunning landscapes and abundant biodiversity, plays host to a remarkable array of birds of prey. These majestic avian predators, often referred to as raptors, have…

    September 11, 2023
  • Florida Birding Hotspots

    Birding St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge in January

    Every year, my girlfriends and I take a trip to northwest Florida, near Tallahassee, to bird at St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a great way to start out the new…

    November 29, 2022
  • Florida scrub-jay
    Bird Photography

    My Favorite Bird Photography Gear

    It’s funny, I got into birding AFTER I bought my first camera. I didn’t set up to be a bird photographer; I just wanted a DSLR camera to use. I bought…

    October 21, 2022
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thehelpfulbirder

Do you like my butt? DO YOU LIKE IT??? Atala butt Do you like my butt? DO YOU LIKE IT???

Atala butterflies now make their home in Brevard County, Florida, as their range has been expanding north. A type of hairstreak, they are easily identifiable by their bright red abdomens, complemented by a matching spot on each hind wing. 

Taken way back in 2019. (I'm culling and keywording, something I wish I had not neglected when just starting out!)
I thought this year I was going to have to miss th I thought this year I was going to have to miss the annual Christmas Bird Count for the first time since 2019. The one at Merritt Island conflicted with my work schedule last month, but it turned out the South Brevard County one didn't! I signed on at the last minute to go with leader Dee @deeat8am and friends Sierra @grackle_gang and Jessica @art_by_jessie_23. Thanks to Jessica for the pictures! 

We have no idea why this weird statue is in this oak tree.

PS - I'm the one in the middle sticking my head around Jessica's shoulder.
A sweet little Common Yellowthroat at the Orlando A sweet little Common Yellowthroat at the Orlando Wetlands. I enjoyed a trip there in November with @enchanting_florida_photography and @wendybeyda
It’s been a minute since I’ve posted. I’ve had a h It’s been a minute since I’ve posted. I’ve had a hard time this year maintaining my original love for birding. I think some of my challenges are self-made so my 2026 goal is to improve upon those and just try again to see if I can find that passion again. It will absolutely look a lot different than before but I’m excited for new possibilities. 

West Indian Whistling Duck, Grand Cayman, March 2025
Another beautiful Limpkin, I think among Queen Ann Another beautiful Limpkin, I think among Queen Anne's Lace aka wild carrot. We used to dye these flowers as a kid by cutting them and sticking the stems in a cup of water with food coloring. This Limpkin decided to make them look pretty all on their own!

Common Name: Limpkin
Scientific Name: Aramus guarauna
Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, Florida US

#best_birds_of_ig
#best_birds_of_world
#bestbirdshots
#birdfreaks
#birds_captures
#birds_private
#birdsonearth
#eye_spy_birds
#feather_perfection
#nature_brilliance
#nuts_about_birds
#planetbirds
#your_best_birds
#women_photographyworldwide
#futurewomenphotography
#fbpc_birds
#universal_bird
A Great Egret stands sentry over the Orlando Wetla A Great Egret stands sentry over the Orlando Wetlands.

Common Name: Great Egret
Scientific Name: Ardea alba
Location: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL US
The beautiful Boat-tailed Grackle is ignored and d The beautiful Boat-tailed Grackle is ignored and dismissed by many birders, because it's common and loud to the point of being obnoxious. But look closely, as it's one of the most beautiful birds in the wetlands! The glossy, iridescent feathers, the dark eye (a trait unique to the ones in peninsular Florida), and the long tail make the males so handsome!

Common Name: Boat-tailed Grackle
Scientific Name: Quiscalus major
Location: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, US

#best_birds_of_ig
#best_birds_of_world
#bestbirdshots
#birdfreaks
#birds_captures
#birds_private
#birdsonearth
#eye_spy_birds
#feather_perfection
#nature_brilliance
#nuts_about_birds
#planetbirds
#your_best_birds
#women_photographyworldwide
#futurewomenphotography
#fbpc_birds
#universal_bird
Skulky McSkulkerson wading through the ... um... w Skulky McSkulkerson wading through the ... um... water lilies? Spatterdock? I dunno, whatever all those swampy plants are. One day I am going to try and learn a bit more about wetlands plant identification, but right now I'm pretty clueless.

I do know this is a Little Blue Heron 💪

Common Name: Little Blue Heron
Scientific Name: Egretta caerulea
Location: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, US

#best_birds_of_ig
#best_birds_of_world
#bestbirdshots
#birdfreaks
#birds_captures
#birds_private
#birdsonearth
#eye_spy_birds
#feather_perfection
#nature_brilliance
#nuts_about_birds
#planetbirds
#your_best_birds
#women_photographyworldwide
#futurewomenphotography
#fbpc_birds
#universal_bird
I couldn't believe my eyes the other day when this I couldn't believe my eyes the other day when this Black-crowned Night Heron flew right toward me and then over my head! It was so close that I can't even crop this vertically. These birds aren't rare, but due to their habits of being inactive during the day, they aren't seen as often as other herons. They generally feed early in the morning or late afternoon and into the evening.

Common Name: Black-crowned Night Heron
Scientific Name: Nycticorax nycticorax
Location: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, US

#best_birds_of_ig
#best_birds_of_world
#bestbirdshots
#birdfreaks
#birds_captures
#birds_private
#birdsonearth
#eye_spy_birds
#feather_perfection
#nature_brilliance
#nuts_about_birds
#planetbirds
#your_best_birds
#women_photographyworldwide
#futurewomenphotography
#fbpc_birds
#universal_bird
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Red-cockaded woodpecker foraging for food in the woods at St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla, Florida (not far from Tallahassee)
Red cockaded woodpecker
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Recent Posts

  • Birding in Grand Cayman
  • Backyard Bird Feeding Station Ideas
  • 18 Beautiful Green Birds in Florida (With Photos!)
  • Florida Birds of Prey
  • Birding St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge in January

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