Look UP! "Swallow-tailed Kite"

And you really need to look UP every time you go outside here in Florida. We have so many wonderful birds that live here and many more that migrate through the central part of the state.

 

I watched this Swallow-tailed Kite from the driveway.

 

He was so far up in the sky that most of my photos are a little blurry.

 

But at least I could see that he had something in his talons. It looked like a twig maybe.

 

I learned more about these beautiful birds at Wikipedia HERE. "They are endangered in South Carolina, threatened in Texas, and rare in Georgia. A key conservation area is the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida." And we live very near that area.

 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

I know the weather is changing in many parts of the US right now! So be sure to look UP when you go outside!

Window Boxes on Fences

That's a catchy title...don't you think?

 

I took these through the window of our car as we were driving through Williston, FL.

 

It was across from the Ivy House but we didn't stop! The Ivy House is an AMAZING place to eat though if you are ever in this neck of the woods.

 

What a beautiful day for a drive!

I'm joining Tex for Good Fences!

The Purple House

Well, our house isn't really purple...it's more a lovely light shade of lavender! 

 

This is a 'before' pic! Progress photos coming soon!

 

A quick pic of the guys laying sod on the side of the house, making the flower beds smaller. 

So that's what's keeping us busy this month. We've had old shrubs removed, grass planted so that our flower beds aren't so wide, and new plantings are going in every day. Thanks Honey! He's planting and watering every day! 

 

When I look at the past month, I see how much we love the outdoors and viewing nature. It will be nice to get our yard back in shape to make it easier to maintain. Then we'll have more time for hiking!

I’m joining Beautiful Sunday and

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday 

Amaze Me Monday HERE  

Talk of the Town HERE and

  Thoughts on Home on Thursdays HERE.

 

The temps will be near 90 every day this week! Summer comes early in Florida! How's your weather this week?

 

Black-Crowned Night-Heron

I wasn't quite sure what this bird was when I saw it at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon, FL. It was in the same area that we saw the Black-Crowned Night-Heron that I posted HERE.

 

But it didn't have a black head. 

 

So we think it's a juvenile.

 

From the back, it looked like a gray goose! lol

 

Here he is in the swamp.

I'm glad I was able to get down the trail and get a better look at him. And don't you DARE laugh at his 'hair'! Just be glad I couldn't take a pic of MY hair! lol It was windy!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

April's Pink Moon

Did you stand outside and look at the full moon last night? If you didn't, it will still be beautiful tonight.

 

The Farmer's Almanac HERE says that it's the smallest full moon of the year, as the Earth and the Moon move to the furthest points from each other. They even have a live cam that you can watch.

 

Well, hubby and I both took photos but he has the winning photo again this month.

 

Let's look a little closer....

 

and then a cropped portion.

 

When you zoom in, you can see that he actually caught a airplane flying across the face of the moon.

We didn't see it until we put the photos on the computer and looked at them together!

AMAZING!!!

Follow Me! Dudley Farm State Park

Let's go through the gate and watch them plow the sugar cane field!

 

We had such a good time at Dudley Farm State Park and appreciated all of the volunteers that made it special!

 

Especially these amazing animals and their owner.

 

Aren't they magnificent?

 

I'm joining Tex for Good Fences!

Happy Birthday Deb!

Did you know it's Garage Sale Gal's birthday today? I know it is! Because she sent ME a present!

Yes, she's that kind of crazy blog buddy!

 

We've had fun blogging together for years now and when I guessed when her birthday was, she sent ME a gift!

 

All wrapped in pretty paper and filled with all of my favorite things! She even found a Golden Book that I didn't have!

 

I worked on the top shelf of my baker's rack and put the tags she sent me along with some others I had. I love my pretty things! And thank you, Deb for sending me a package filled with pretty things!

 

Have a wonderful birthday sweet friend. 

You can visit her blog HERE!!!

Today let's shop at 'Born Again Country'!

I've had so much fun shopping in Dunnellon, FL lately. It's about 15 miles away so it's an easy drive and filled with wonderful shops. 

This one has handmade things galore.

 

The lady I met makes the hand painted items. She said she has a couple of ladies that sew and bring in many of the other things.

 

I love everything and bought a few note pads and a couple of things to give me ideas for my own projects. (I'll share them soon!)

I sure love beautiful quilts!

 

And friendly people!!!

 

 Don't you love to explore shops that are a little 'out of the way'? I've seen this one from the main road but had never driven over to find it. I'm so glad I did! I'll be back! Wanna come?

 

I’m joining Beautiful Sunday and

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday 

  Amaze Me Monday HERE  

Talk of the Town HERE and

  Thoughts on Home on Thursdays HERE.

 

 

Little Blue Heron in breeding plumage

When I went shopping in Dunnellon, I just couldn't drive past Blue Run Park without stopping.

 

So I grabbed my camera and went for a hike! I was so pleased to spot this Little Blue Heron.

 

It was between the path and the Rainbow River in a marshy area and you can see by this photo how hard he was to spot.

 

I've learned so much from Eileen and Anni and knew right away that the bright turquoise on his bill was part of his breeding colors. He has more color on his neck too.

 

How wonderful to see something so beautiful on my hike short walk! lol

 

I hope you've been able to get out in nature and see something amazing this week too!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Are you ready to take a Sunday drive?

We took a drive last Sunday and happened to spot two beautiful horses in this pasture.

 

I was so glad there was a safe place to pull over so that I could get some pics.

 

This was the sign on the gate! Very unique, don't you think?

 

One more fence for good measure!

 

I'm joining Tex for Good Fences!

When I'm away....

....the 'kids' will play!

 

Look at Cricket!!!

 

She's learned to play the piano this week. 

 

Of course I'm pretty sure someone 'tall, dark and handsome' helped her find a box to sit on and maybe learn some of the basic notes! haha!

 

I had her all dressed in a soft yellow gown with a bonnet trimmed in lace.

 

I even gave her a soft lamb to play with.

 

But it's just too much fun to get into mischief while I'm away. 

 

Frogs are still 'here, there and everywhere' in my house. 

 JoAnn is sharing photos of her cute dolls. Visit her HERE.

Don't forget to have fun 

and take time to PLAY!!!