Space exploration and development – more than numbers
Especially birds
It seems that since my retirement, the Florida wildlife around our house has grown dramatically!
And as of August 2023, on to life in Washington, DC.
We are now within walking distance of the National Zoo. And Pandas! Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comOK, I just can’t get enough of these chipmunks. Got a mouthful there! Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comWashington, DC has chipmunks! This one was right outside our window to greet us. Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comI took this picture as Hurricane Ian was starting up here in Orlando, FL. It may be the Bald Eagle that also appears in the two pictures below? 2022-09-28. Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comWe finally got a picture of the Bald Eagle last spotted in February. Not sure if male or female? Backyard, East Orlando FL, 2022-09-21. Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comWe finally got a picture of the Bald Eagle last spotted in February. Not sure if male or female? Backyard, East Orlando FL, 2022-09-21. Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comOne of the many hawks in our neighborhood, East Orlando FL, 2022-08-09. Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comOur first ever Owl sighting, out back in the Pine trees at a distance, having just caught a meal as the sun was setting. 2022-06-17, Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comWe now have a Downy Woodpecker in the backyard too. This male, hanging upside down, is trying to make a hole on a large dead branch of our oak tree. 2022-02-28, Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.com
BTW 2022-02-21
Spotted a bald eagle today landing high atop a pine tree outback! What a sight. I grabbed my camera, but unfortunately, the battery was dead. Agg. Then, it was gone in the brief moment I ran inside for another camera. We will keep an eye out.
Our local Pileated Woodpecker was at it all afternoon. We were able to get pretty close without scaring him away. Perhaps he is getting used to us? We have decided to name him Perseverance. 2022-02-02, Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comMy favorite picture of the local pileated woodpecker, now very much a fixture in our backyard. Zoom in – and look at those eyes. See the determination! 2022-02-02, Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.comThe Pileated Woodpecker paid us a visit today. It appears he (he from a distinctive red stripe on the cheek) is building another home in the dead tree in the backyard. 2022-01-21, Credit: Edgar Zapata, zapatatalksnasa.com
Zapata Talks NASA 