Birds on Alex Gilliard Photography

American Kestrel Surveying His Domain at Sunrise

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

It’s a bit hard to make out, but that’s an American kestrel perched atop this excavator boom. It was just as the sun was starting to rise, and the fog really added a nice mood to the moment!

Anhinga Fish On

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Bald Eagle, Juvenile

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Barred Owl In Flight

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I was hoping to see one owl, but instead I saw four! This one had just finished a tasty crawfish snack and decided to take a quick bath. I was lucky enough to capture this shot as she launched out of the water and up into the tree canopy above!

Barred Owl Launching Into The Air

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Got to spend some time with several owls on this cool Saturday morning. This one had just finished his bath when I was able to capture him launching into the thick tree canopy above!

Barred Owl Looking for Breakfast

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Barred Owl Snacking On A Crayfish

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I spotted this guy down the trail and quickly raised my camera, but due to the low light, I just couldn’t lock focus while he was in flight. But as luck would have it, he landed right above me, and I was able to capture this image of him dining on his morning crawfish meal!

Barred Owl Stare

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Barred Owl with Turtle Snack

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Someone mentioned they had just spotted a barred owl dining on something, so I quickly rushed over to where they had seen him. He was perched low in a tree. He dropped something as I walked up, and after a minute or two he hopped down and picked it back up. At first I thought it was a snail, but then I realized he was eating a baby turtle!

Barred Owl Yawning

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

This barred owl was perched just off the boardwalk, and I was able to get very close. He was basically motionless for almost an hour, and then I caught this yawn!

Black Bellied Plover

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The early morning golden-hour light bouncing off the mangroves really made this image of a black-bellied plover pop!

Black Ibis at Sunrise

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Black Skimmer Chick Having a Yawn

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Black Skimmer Incoming!

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Black Skimmer Mid Yawn

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Black Skimmer Mirror

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I often get asked whether this image was made with Photoshop or AI, but that morning there was no wind, very few clouds, and just being in the right place as the exact right moment really paid off here!

Black Skimmer Showing Off His catch of the Morning

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

After coming almost every morning for several weeks, I think this black skimmer was happy to show off his catch.

Black Skimmer Up Close

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Black-necked Stilt Mating

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Blue-Winged Teal Duck Showing Off

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I saw a group of ducks about 50 feet offshore and noticed some tall grass to hide in. I quietly made my way to the shore and waited. In less than 15 minutes, the ducks were almost too close! The lighting was perfect, and they were basically posing for me.

Blue-winged Teal Taking Flight

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Boat-tailed Grackle Singing His Song

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

This little guy landed on the railing of the pier I was on and started singing. Not only was he close, but the sun had just broken through the clouds, and the light really made this one pop!

Coming In For A Landing

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Common Gallinule Chick Getting Breakfast

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Great Blue Heron With Its Catch of the Day!

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I was walking on the beach with my wife and ran into someone she works with when, all of a sudden, this guy started striking. I quickly got into position and captured the moment just before he devoured breakfast!

Great Egret at Sunrise

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

One of my all-time favorites. The light was hitting the bird just right.

Great Horned Owlet

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Grey Ghost, Northern Harrier

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Having a Bad Feather Day

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am owl, Hear me roar!

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Just kidding, he’s not roaring, he’s just trying to get a pellet out. The light was very low here, so I had to shoot thousands of shots to get a handful in focus. After waiting over an hour, he still never got it up, but I’m sure he did eventually!

Incoming Reflections

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Juvenile Bald Eagle Taking Flight

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I almost didn’t go out yesterday, but it had been a while since I’d done any afternoon shooting, so I made myself go. As I was walking toward a tree, I could have sworn this bird was an owl at first. Its head was turned around and tucked down in just the right way to fool me. Once I got a little closer though, I realized it was actually a juvenile bald eagle.

Juvenile Purple Gallinule out for a run

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Least Bittern In Flight

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

These birds are so hard to capture, but while waiting for the skimmers to arrive I saw this one getting ready to take off. I prepared for the shot and was able to come away with this frame!

Limpkin Calling Out to His Mate

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lone Black Necked Stilt

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lonely Sanderling at Sunrise

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I spotted this lonely sanderling hunting for breakfast just as the tide had gone out. I couldn’t have asked for better light.

Male Cardinal Having Breakfast

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Male Painted Bunting

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

To capture this image, I sat in camouflage for an hour. I have to say, it was absolutely worth it.

Mated Pair of Sandwich Terns

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I had taken off work to photograph a black skimmer nesting colony, but the nearby buildings were blocking the light. Then I noticed this pair of sandwich terns mating and quickly switched subjects!

Night Heron Looking Like He's in a Dream

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Night Heron Through The Grass

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I was walking on the beach when I spotted this guy slowly moving through the grass. I quickly got into position just as he was exiting!

Northern Harrier at Sunset

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I was out for a walk and wasn’t even on the lookout for a harrier, but as I was enjoying the setting sun, I saw one off in the distance. It appeared to be heading straight toward me. I was partially camouflaged by the surrounding grass and shrubs, and she banked just as she got within about 15 feet. I was able to get one frame, this one, in focus!

Osprey Sunrise

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

This was probably the best shot I got all morning. The sun was only out for a few moments on this cloudy day, but I think this was hands down my favorite image from this trip!

Osprey with Fresh-Caught Dinner

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Oystercatcher Chick

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Oystercatcher Looking Out for His Flock

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Oystercatcher Sunrise

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

On this morning I decided to go to a part of the beach that usually isn’t very active. Just as the sun was cresting, I spotted this family of oystercatchers having breakfast, and the lighting really made the image.

Painted Bunting, Male

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Patiently Waiting

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Purple Gallinule Chick

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Purple Gallinule Jumping

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I had just gotten my new lens in the mail earlier that day, so I went out to test it. I was lucky to capture this adult purple gallinule hopping between lily pads.

Purple Gallinule Taking Flight

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Purple Gallinule With Its Dinner

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ready to Strike!

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Red Winged Black Bird Singing

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

After photographing the eagle, I spotted this little guy singing his heart out from a lone bare branch. As soon as I saw that background, I dropped down quickly and fired off a couple of bursts using pre-capture, hoping to catch him at just the right moment.

I ended up getting him with his beak wide open in mid-song, perched against that beautiful scene of warm orange and yellow bokeh from the setting sun reflecting off the reeds, with a clear blue sky above. For such a small bird, he definitely put on a pretty big show.

Reddish Egret at Sunrise

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Reddish Egret Close Up

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The best thing about this spot is that the birds really don’t care that you’re there. They only care about breakfast! I just happened to be right next to his, and he got extremely close. This is probably one of my most detailed photos.

Reddish Egret Getting Breakfast

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

This was one of my first outings with my Sony A1 using pre-capture. I was kneeling in the water about 25 feet from him at first, but he kept moving closer and closer until he was almost too close. I kept my finger on the trigger, and eventually he struck the water and emerged with his catch!

Reddish Egret Hutting a Ribbon Fish

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

It wasn’t until I downloaded the photos to my computer that I realized I had captured the ribbonfish being chased.

Reddish Egret Mid Chomp

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Redhead Duck, Male

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Male

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sanderling

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I remember this day starting off slowly, with very few birds to photograph. I decided to sit and focus on shorebirds, and I knew immediately this frame was a keeper. It later earned a spot in the St. Pete Audubon Calendar for 2025.

Semipalmated Plover Having a Stretch

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I had been photographing this little guy for a while, and when I saw him stretch, it made me think of a DeLorean.

Skimmer Cleaning Its Beak

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Skimmer Incoming!

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Another photographer to my left and I were photographing a reddish egret doing its dance when he yelled, “Skimmer incoming!” I quickly spun to my right, and by that point he was almost too close, but I was able to capture this shot!

Skimmer Through The Grass

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Skimmer With Chicks

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

There must have been 200-300 birds in this nesting colony, but I focused on this little family at the edge. The parents took turns going out to catch food and bring it back to the chicks.

Skimmer With Their Catch of the Day

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Skimming Through The Grass

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I love capturing a frame within a frame. This guy was constantly flying parallel to me, and I kept firing even when I thought I had no shot. I ended up capturing this brief moment where he wasn’t obscured by the grass!

Spoonbill Wake Up Call

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

It’s always a good day when the spoonbills are out and singing their song. Sometimes they like to hang back in the shadows, but this morning they were in excellent light.

Sprinting Purple Gallinule

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Stilt Photo Bomb

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I had found the perfect spot, and the stilts really didn’t seem to notice me. I shot so many images trying to capture the beautifully lit birds that I didn’t even notice I had captured this least sandpiper flying over this black-necked stilt as he was foraging for food.

Sunrise Reflections

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sunrise Sandhill Crane

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The sun was just coming up as I pulled up to my spot, and I saw this adult, another adult, and their two juvenile chicks, which were almost as big as they were. I wasn’t able to get all of them grouped together. In fact, this was the only image I captured of them that was in focus, but it still ended up being my favorite!

Sunrise Skimming

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sunset Snowy Egret

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Forest Has Eyes

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

My wife and I had plans to go to Fort De Soto on Saturday morning, but I forgot to check the website first and found out there was a 5K going on, so the park was closed. I was pretty aggravated, but we headed back home, changed clothes, and decided to go look for owls instead. Within about five minutes, we spotted this beautiful female barred owl tucked away in the woods.

Why are you looking at me?

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Wild Florida Turkey

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Wild Florida Turkeys

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I got a tip from a fellow photographer on where I might be able to see some wild turkeys. The temperature dropped to the mid-30s, and they were about a 2-mile ride on my e-bike, but I’d say the suffering was worth it!

Wood Stork With Its Catch of the Day!

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

This wood stork tried to swallow a flounder for nearly an hour before finally giving up.