Saturday, December 9, 2017

A Polar bear in Florida?

I don’t think so…but if you squint real hard and tilt your head a little to the right…

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doesn’t this look a little like a polar bear?

No? Try again! heehee!

We DID see an Alligator on our recent hike to Blue Run in Dunnellon.

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(it was a small one and far away)

We also saw a big bird fly by and land in the water plants.

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We had trouble getting good photos but we are pretty sure it is an American Bittern.

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This was very exciting for us because we’ve never positively identified one before!

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It was a beautiful day for a hike! The highs were in the 70s!

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It’s a little cooler here this weekend but still nice!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

39 comments:

Latane Barton said...

Polar bear? Now, you are dreaming my girl. But, what a lovely post of the warmer clime.

MadSnapper said...

I can almost see the polar bear but what I saw her first is a white seal. Everything's looking beautiful we're supposed to be down in the forties tomorrow so I guess you will be too

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I see a slight resemblance to a polar bear. I love your American Bittern photos, great sighting. Pretty photos and scenery! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. I appreciate your visit and comment too. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

YOu have a great imagination. You should read my next novel.

:)

Sandy said...

You had me fooled for a second. I almost see your polar bear. Love the American Bittern.

Susie said...

Diane, Yes, it looks like a polar bear with a long neck. It's fun seeing new birds. Wow, your weather is so good for being outside. It is snowing here this morning....my brother in Alabama has more snow than we do here in Indiana. His will not last as long as ours. LOL Blessings to you and your husband, xoxo, Susie

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I don't see the polar bear but some creature with big ears. LOL! Great capture of the Bittern.

Linda said...

I DO see the polar bear! I love how much wildlife you see and you photograph them so well!!

Gayle said...

I'll go along with Polar Bear. But then I was born with an overactive imagination ;)

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

LOL - yep, I see it! Too funny. That bird is beautiful - you really got some good shots of it.

Stacey said...

I see it! :) The tree kinda looks like it if you look just right.

Nice to see all the beautiful green.

Red Rose Alley said...

The water is so lovely. It's been so cold here, that I haven't been out in nature much, and I really miss it. Haven't seen the American Bittern before. Yikes, that alligator! What a nice day for a hike.

Enjoy the weekend, Diane.

~Sheri

carol l mckenna said...

Yep great polar bear in the branch! wonderful bird photos ~

Happy Weekend to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Anonymous said...

a polar bear, imagine that!!!! amazing photos!!!!

Christine said...

I did see a polar bear head in the branch!
Great finding a bittern in the long grass too!

Anonymous said...

Pretty pics. I like your idea of staying in and sipping cocoa!

Terri D said...

Nice!!

happyone said...

Yes, I did see it.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Great pictures! You missed a lot of snow up here this weekend!! Bet you are happy to be back in Florida.

Tom said...

...I went hiking last week, no gators for me!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Ha ha I see the polar bear! Love your wildlife photos :D

Linda said...

Nice pictures; I like the "bear."

Lea said...

I am still half-asleep this morning and kind of blurred eyed, so yes! there's a polar bear!
Great photo of the Bittern
Have a wonderful day!

Anni said...

Love the partially hidden Bittern Diane! Awesome images.

Now, I tilted my head, twisted my eyeballs to where they crossed and I got dizzy, but all I saw was a creature from the black lagoon....like a smaller version of Loch Ness!! lol

Thanks so much for joining us birders this weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Your contribution is always so appreciated. Have a great week ahead...enjoy those birds!!!

Debby said...

It DOES look like a polar bear!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I see the bear - he's gazing away from the photographer slightly.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Cherdecor said...

That is my kind of polar bear! I could sit on him! We have a coupled of inches of snow this morning. This clipper is the first of three they said. The second clipper is coming on Tuesday. Here it comes and we are ready! Enjoy your warm weather!

Betty J. Crow said...

Yep! That's a polar bear for sure! Glad the alligator was far off. Nice post! Happy Sunday.

Carla from The River said...

Hello,
I heard on the news about the big Python that the snake hunters got in Florida.
I always enjoy when you share alligator photos. ;-)
Carla

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Congrats for the lifer bird! I don't know about that polar bear, but I am forever seeing alligator in Oregon (made out of roughly the same material as your polar bear ... logs along the road). And when we were in Alaska on the Denali bus, the guide said that every trip he takes someone would spot a creature he called a 'rock bear'.. (boulders on the hills that people think is a brown bear or grizzly).

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is indeed an American Bittern. Congratulations. Great bird.

Maggie Ann said...

How serene everything looks! Hope you've had a good week-end!

Buttercup said...

We've got snow and I've inaugurated my new winter coat, so your 70s look really good. Have a great week!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I do see the polar bear, Diane! What fun!

Lowcarb team member said...

Well yes, I can see a slight resemblance to a polar bear!
I do like the photograph of the Bittern.
Lovely series of photographs.

All the best Jan

Debbie said...

well, it looked like a polar bear to me...but i would not cross seeing one off the list just yet!!

your last image is beautiful!!!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Hi Dear Diane...I am so sorry that I have not been around, but life has gotten me and taken me in different directions. I am trying to keep up, but find it a little difficult, but promised myself to pull up out of it and make visits today. Those Alligators, Oh My...I love seeing them from a distance like you, but never too close. Hugs~

Jeanie said...

I wouldn't know a bittern if it bitterned me in the bottom! So hats off to you for even knowing what one looked like, much less seeing one!

Annesphamily said...

Lovely photos! You captured some wonderful shots. I am so happy I came by. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Thank you for the moments here to relax and enjoy your hike. HUGS