The Neighborhood Pond

 

I haven't shared photos of the neighborhood pond in awhile.

Mottled Duck (I think)

As a matter of fact, I don't go over there as often when we hike so much. But I'm sure I'll walk over at sunset more this summer. 

This particular day, I had been to the restaurant to pick up 'take out' and the back of the restaurant is all glass looking out over the golf course and pond. And I saw something amazing! But I didn't have my camera with me. It was a flock of White Pelicans. So that's why I went back over there in the evening to see if they were still there. Keep in mind that we live less than 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico but it's still unusual to see Pelicans at the pond. And yes, we live close enough to walk to this restaurant. (I had a fish sandwich and hubby had a Reuben. We live on a golf course and there are some very nice amenities that come with that.)

So even though I didn't get pics of the Pelicans, I enjoyed the walk over there (and even talked with some neighbors that were walking in the cool of the evening). 

And it was nice to stand under the shade trees,  looking out over the pond and watching the ducks.

Looks like a few young ones still with Mama.

And some others together as a family.

The sun was low and casting a nice glow on these.

The pond, a Grackle and a Red-winged Blackbird

When we woke up this morning, a flock of White Ibis walked through the back yard. 

Ready for another round of golf!

We love living in Florida. It's not for everyone, but we love it year round! 

Get outside and enjoy your day and the special place YOU live!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Wildflowers and Garden Flowers

 Isn't it nice that we don't have to choose? I am enjoying bouquets of red roses in vases from my flower beds right now and every time we hike we see more wildflowers in bloom.

PawPaw

Even the orange Butterfly weed is blooming this week!

I'll share photos without trying to ID them all.

Dandelion 

I learn a few new names every year but I forget a few too! lol

Emilia fosbergii-Florida Tasselflower. 

This is a new ID for us this year. It has a tiny red bloom.

And this flower bed is across the street with a variety of flowers in bloom.

The Easter Lily is especially pretty right now.

And this huge cluster of Lilies is in another neighbor's flower bed. 

Do you have a favorite flower that's in bloom right now?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

The Dolphin, a small-toothed cetacean

 

This will probably be the easiest post I've ever written. I could add one photo and one photo only. But of course you know I can't do that! 

We DID have an amazing encounter with a Dolphin on our drive over to the Withlacoochee Bay Trail on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

We were standing on an observation platform looking out over some shallow water and saw a Dolphin swimming our way. 

For starters, we can see the dorsal fin of Dolphins swimming out in the deeper waters. That's not unusual. But to have one swim right in front of us is most unusual and very exciting. 

Can you see the water coming out of his blow hole?

And then to have it splishing and splashing, fishing for it's lunch was something to watch!

Fish were flying out of the water, hoping to live another day! lol

It was an incredible display to be so close to with our cameras clicking away.

And to share a Tricolored Heron that we spotted from the top of the tall tower I bravely climbed (more on that in the previous post).

He was a beauty!

I'll finish with a cropped photo of the Dolphin coming out of the water to give us a smile! 

Amazing! We were very thankful to witness something so special!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

Weird Earth and amazing sights

 

Have you ever watched the program 'Weird Earth' on the Weather Channel? We've caught it a few times and always marvel at the strange things that people see all over the world. My husband even saw some of the tube like clouds one night when he looked out the window. (no photos of that)

Well, I took photos of the Gulf of Mexico and captured a few that fall in that category.

What do you think of this boat out in the middle of nowhere. It looks as if it is in the sky, instead of the water. And even the other boat appears to be staring at it. Something to ponder! lol

Another weird photo of boats that appear to be above the water.

And then there's the island in the sky! Doesn't it look like it has appeared out of nowhere?

It's a land mass....not a dark cloud.

AND these photos are straight out of the camera.

We see some pretty amazing sights on our hikes but nothing compares to this.

Where do you think I am? (do you see the death grip I have on that sign? at least I'm not holding onto it with both hands right now!)

Is that the marshes bordering the Gulf of Mexico?

Does it look beautiful?

Of course it does but the amazing part of it is that I climbed up a tower to see it all.

And if you don't find that amazing, ask my hubby or any of my 'kids' for their opinion.

I am deathly afraid of heights and this is the bravest thing I have done in a long time. And this is the closest I can get to the rail! hahahaha!!!

My Mother's day challenge! Climb a tower and enjoy the view!

Hubby helped me! And we watched an Eagle soar overhead!

We were at the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve in Yankeetown, Florida for this adventure. 

I hope your weekend was special too! Get out in nature and enjoy life!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

The Tortoise and the Hare

 

I've admitted to talking baby talk to the animals we meet in the forest. Now I'm naming them.

Meet Little Sooty

Isn't he tiny?

We drove over to the 49th Ave Trailhead of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway to check on the control burn/prescribed fire. They had burned a section just a few days before but it wasn't blowing smoke or even smelling bad, so we took a hike. 

Control burns are important in this part of Florida where we have forests. They reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires, and enhance the beauty of the land. They are also beneficial for the wildlife. I'll include the link HERE to learn more about them. 

The reason we called this little Gopher Tortoise, Sooty because he did have traces of soot on his underside.

He had clearly walked through the burned area.

Hubby picked him up and put him into the unburned side of the forest and away from big hiking boots and bikes riding by.

He didn't waste any time taking off in a tortoise RUN! 

RUN Sooty RUN! 

We also saw a big Cottontail Rabbit on the trail ahead of us.

 

He even had a snack while we waited!

We have time and plenty of film in the camera! lol

He watched us for awhile. 

Finally a bike came by and he scurried across.

On the side trail (limerock road) we saw this beautiful Brown Thrasher.

He made a series of calls that reminded us of a Mockingbird!

I'll show pics of the forest in a couple of weeks to show you how soon the forest recovers here in Florida. It will be green before we even get back over there!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the special mothers this weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.