The Wandering Disciple

An anhinga sits along the lake with its wings spread in the Florida sun, drying out so it can take flight. Unlike most water fowl, the anhinga lack oil glands to keep their wings dry. So after its dive, it needs to perch on land, fluff its feathers and stretch out to dry in the sun. (Photo: December 26, 2020)

A little blue heron sits along the lake at the rookery in Venice. Believe it or not, the white bird in the background is also a little blue heron. Little blue herons are born white and will remain white for about year when they get the blue coloring seen here. The little blue herons are typically found bodies of water in the southern US. (Photo: January 11, 2019)

A Great Egret comes in for a landing as the sun sets on the Venice Audubon Rookery. This park features an lake with an island known as a rookery. A rookery provides a safe nesting site for birds like the egret and other wading birds. The rookery creates a castle type arrangement for the birds, the water from the lake keeps predators like raccoons from raiding the nests. So each night as the sun sets, there is always a flurry of activity as the birds return to the island for the night. (Photo: December 25, 2018)

Lurking in shadows and hunting under the cover of night, the Black-crowned Night Heron is a nocturnal wading bird found throughout the Sunshine State. While they can be seen during the daylight, the night heron is most active at night. They have a more hunched appearance then daytime herons like the Great Blue Heron. They also feature bright red eyes helping to distinguish them over other herons. (Photo: March 20, 2015)

A group of birds retire for the night on the rookery island at the Venice Audubon Rookery. Each night as the sun begins to set, hundreds of birds from various species fly into the rookery to get a good nights sleep. The island provides a safe oasis for birds to roost for the night free from predators. (Photo: January 31, 2015)

A double-crested cormorant stands still as a statue along the banks of a lake. The cormorant is a wading bird that when not in the water can be found along the edge either standing still awaiting its next meal or drying its wings after a swim. Unlike ducks and other water birds, once in the water a cormorant can not fly immediately so it needs to dry its wings before flight. (Photo: January 25, 2015)

A great blue heron sits on the nest, protecting the eggs from predators at Venice Audubon Rookery. Herons tend to build their nests withing trees on a rookery island. The trees provide shelter and some protection while the water surrounding the rookery provides even more protection from land based predators. In fact, while most people avoid alligator filled lakes, the herons actually prefer it as the gator acts as a deterrent for predators t to the nesting site. (Photo: January 25, 2015)

Every night as the sun begins to set below the horizon, hundreds of wading birds settle in to a tiny island in the middle of a pond. The rookery is a safe haven for these birds. The alligator filled water surround the island provide safety from predators allowing these birds to sleep and raise young without being harassed by their predators. (Photo: November 30, 2014)

With a long slender neck that resembles a snake, the Anhinga has been given the nickname snake bird. When swimming, only the neck is visible, resembling a snake that is about to strike. (Photo: November 28, 2014)

Forget two men and a truck, how about two birds and a wire as a pair of birds sit together as guards for their flock, scanning the park for threats. The Venice Audubon Rookery is a hidden birding gem nestled between two major highways and provides a night time safe haven for resting and nesting birds. (Photo: April 20, 2019)

A Great Blue Heron shows of its feathers on the rookery island at the Venice Audubon Rookery. The island is home to many species of nesting birds including herons, egrets and more. (Photo: January 25, 2015)

Venice, Florida: The Venice Audubon Rookery is becoming a popular spot as the nests are very active. There are many of species of birds that have nested on the island and many of the eggs have hatched, making it very busy around the lake.  On today’s visit we photographed: Anhinga  Black-crowned Night Heron  Double-crested Cormorant  Great Egret  Great Blue Heron  Northern Mockingbird  Palm Warbler  Red-winged Blackbird  Snowy Egret  White Ibis  The Venice Audubon Rookery is located in the rear of the South County Administration Complex. It features a large lake with a roosting island in the center of the lake. A gravel trail leads around the lake with several benches available to sit and watch the activity.  Click on the photo to view photos from the Venice Audubon Rookery .

A Great Egret collects sticks to build a nest on the rookery island at the Venice Area Audubon Rookery.  The rookery is a popular nesting area for the egrets and other birds.  The island which is surrounded by a lake with gators is a perfect place for the birds to build nests since it helps keep four legged predators away.  (Photo: January 25, 2015)

A cormorant sits in the sun with its wings stretched out to dry at the Venice Audubon Rookery.  The cormorant spends much of the day in the water looking for prey, but can not fly until it's wings are dry.  So they can usually be seen along the banks of the water with its wings spread to dry.  (Photo: November 28, 2014)