Crested Caracara

Caracara are somewhat vulture-like birds in the falcon family. We started seeing them while driving towards Lake Okeechobee. I really wanted a photograph, but we couldn't get one while driving. When we got to our contractor yard, I saw a Caracara land in a live oak. As I was snapping pictures, she got some company. I was very happy with the timing. You can see the bands on the male's legs. An interesting fact is that the color of the facial skin can change in seconds from gray to yellow to red.