Turkey vultures enjoy the sun while patiently waiting for their turn to eat.

This Green Heron [Butorides virescens] stands frozen while hunting little minnows in the crystal clear water. A beautiful stocky bird with its blue, green, yellow, gray and brown colors, it is seen mostly at dusk or dawn. Good hunters, unlike other wading birds, they are intolerant of other birds. These birds, which eat a wide variety of aquatic animals, use bait to attract fish by dropping food, insects or other small objects on the water’s surface.

A snowy egret [Egretta thula] is hunting alone in its perfect habitat. Standing in shallow water, it’s hoping to spear its prey, which may be a frog or small fish.

Some sandhill cranes [Antigone canadensis] are native to Florida while others migrate from the north in the winter. A large bird, it can be up to four feet tall and have a wide wing span. Its red head makes it very easy to see.

A beautiful sunset paints the sky over the Raulerson Canal that is an ecosystem for aquatic as well as air and land dwelling life.

A Red-shouldered hawk perches on a wild muscadine grapevine, both Florida natives.

A small White Peacock Butterfly [Anartia jatrophae] perches on a Matchstick weed as it eats nectar from the little flowers. This species stays low to the ground because its favorite plants are found near the ground. It is identified by the three black spots on each wing and is found in southern states. The Matchstick weed has tiny purple flowers around the top of a seed stalk that resemble a matchstick, hence its name.