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“The better you understand the subject’s habitat and behavior, behavior — for instance, Castroverde was able to snap a great egret
the better chance you’ll have of getting a great picture,” Castroverde flying with some nesting material in its beak. The egret is one of
says. “If I’m going someplace to shoot something, I always do a bit many birds that takes on enticing physical characteristics this time
of research on what it is that I’ll be photographing. I want to of year.
understand where these creatures live and why they live there. The “This is an all-white bird, but during breeding season it has a
more you can understand how a particular animal is going to move patch of skin on its face that turns neon green and some long
or react to things, the better prepared you are.” plumes that grow from its back,” Castroverde shares. “This is one
This dedication to his craft has served Castroverde well in type of bird that will nest in mixed-species colonies. They’re one of
Northeast Florida — especially in the spring, when many birds are the first species to arrive.”
even more colorful than usual.

Great Blue Heron

Then there’s the anhinga, which can be spotted at just about
“That’s when a lot of birds get their breeding plumage, meaning every lake or lagoon in Florida. It’s frequently called a “snake bird,”
they get more vibrant and they’re more elegant,” he explains. “I Castroverde explains, because it swims underwater to catch fish, and
always joke that in the human race the females are the beautiful when popping up to the surface, only its neck and long beak are
ones, but with birds the males are the more attractive.” visible. Castroverde photographed this particular anhinga at sunset,
soaking in the last few rays of warmth and light.
Florida’s Fabulous Birds “The anhinga has its wings open because this type of bird has
poorly developed oil glands, so its feathers are not very waterproof,”
During his decade as a shutterbug, Castroverde has encountered shares the photographer. “When coming out of the water, it perches
some coveted subjects, and among the most dazzling is the painted with its wings wide open as to dry and warm its body.”
bunting. The artist captured a stunning image of this colorful Often Castroverde is lucky enough to snag astonishing images
songbird in Texas when one flew down to drink from a pond, but in his own backyard — literally. He hangs bird feeders outside his
they are also highly visible right here in the First Coast. house and sets up perches where his photographic subjects can land.
“They’re a bird that everybody gets excited about,” he says. “The Cardinals, which are extremely common in Florida, are frequent
male looks like you dipped it into a box of crayons, with its vivid visitors in Castroverde’s yard. He has also spent plenty of time at
blues, greens, yellows and reds. Most everyone wants to see a Blue Cypress Lake in Central Florida, where spring is the prime
painted bunting at some point.” season for photographing ospreys.
“There are hundreds of beautiful cypress trees that grow in the
shallow end of the lake, and during breeding and nesting season you
“The better you understand the subject’s end up with probably about 200 nesting pairs of ospreys,” he
explains. “This particular photo was taken in April, which is when
habitat and behavior, the better chance you’ll
the chicks are born and the parents are flying back and forth with
have of getting a great picture.” food.”
Castroverde has also been lucky enough to document some of
the region’s lovebirds during mating season, such as a nesting pair of
In addition to finding eye-catching subjects, every wildlife great blue herons silhouetted by the setting sun, or in his own
photographer hopes to score unique and memorable shots. Spring backyard, a tender moment between a female pileated woodpecker
presents the opportunity to catch birds engaging in some exciting and her two chicks.

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