Florida Fish and Wildlife

We drove down to a boat dock and found ourselves at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission in Crystal River, FL.

I took a quick pic of their boat.

And then we drove around to see this huge nesting platform.

We didn’t see any birds on the nest but we did see a Swallow tail Kite in the sky. The nest may have been made by an Osprey.

But I just happen to have some photos that I took of an Osprey this summer!

He looked amazing with the sun shining bright on his light colored feathers.

He was high in the sky so I had to zoom to get these so they are cropped!

 

There’s always something to see!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

The Inglis Bypass Spillway

This was a fun drive and neat area to visit. There was a nice playground, picnic area and ball fields. Nothing was being used the day we went because of the summertime heat.

I think most people in this part of Florida stay inside or get out in the water.

It’s always a little cooler near the water.

(no swimming here though)

Don’t you love these beautiful cloud formations?

We’ve had a few pop up showers so everything is still green and beautiful.

Have you been able to get out this summer to see the sights in your area? There’s so much to see on the backroads here in Florida.

I'm joining Tex for Good Fences!

What could be better? A glass of cold water on a summer day!

I think we all know most of the benefits of drinking plenty of water.

I found a website HERE with a list of the benefits.

But do you know how to make water taste even better?

I do.

I’ve always loved drinking water. We filter our water and that helps too.

But the secret of a better tasting glass of water is…

are you ready?

Do you promise not to tell EVERYONE?

The GLASS of course!

I buy vintage glasses at the thrift store, scrub them with hot soapy water (don’t put them in the dishwasher, it can ruin the design) and ENJOY!

OKAY…you can tell somebody!

 

Go ahead and SHARE!

CHEERS!

I’m joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J HERE!

Which one do you like best?

Unusual Critters!

We see so much variety here in Florida and many times we see something we’ve never seen before!

But first let’s start with this beautiful dragonfly.

We were driving to a Park for a picnic and rolled down the car window for these photos!

A few of the pretty cattails we saw too. (not on a critter! lol)

Then later when we took a ‘short walk’ in the heat, we spotted this Broad headed Skink.

He made quite a rustle in the grass and actually scared me. He’s much bigger than the usual lizards, anoles and skinks that we usually see and the first one of this type we’ve identified.

I’ll end with some birds we see often here in North Central Florida.

Cattle Egret are common here.

(you can see the difference between the egret and ibis in these 2 photos)

I still get a thrill when I see the Ibis but they are regulars around here too.

We spotted the Ibis at the Inglis Locks.

I know I’ve taken better bird photos than these but these were taken this past week.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Spruce Boat Ramp in Dunnellon, Florida

We drive into Dunnellon pretty often for one reason or another.

And one day we went down a little side street to this public boat ramp.

What a VIEW down the Withlacoochee River!

It was spectacular!

Sometimes you see boats in the river and often people fishing off the dock.

When we drove over there last time, it was too hot to fish!

Too hot to FISH? Now that’s pretty hot! lol

Another common sight…

a bobber on a fishing line, stuck in the tree limbs!

(no it’s not mine! haha)

I'm joining Tex for Good Fences!

‘A Nautical Bracelet’ Craft Project!

I made something!

 

I know you think I drive around taking photos all the time, but sometimes I just have to get ‘creative’!

This was a project I saw on the Etsy blog and I had all the supplies handy to give it a go!

I won’t try to give you a tutorial because you can click in the link HERE to get the full supply list and tutorial with tips and excellent photos.

It wasn’t hard and I’ve worn mine several times and think it looks cute with summer time fashions.

I had hoped it would be so easy, I would make several, but so far I have just this one!

I’m joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J HERE!

Have you made any easy projects this summer?

Share the link to the tutorial if you have!

Happy Crafting!

A Boat-Tailed Grackle and a REALLY big baby!

We got the biggest kick watching this baby bird fluttering around and begging to be fed.

And it must be a full time job to keep this big baby fed!

He fluttered so much that he slid right off of the rail one time.

How many bugs and seeds does this young one need?

It’s enough to try a mother’s patience!

And it was neat to identify as a Boat-Tailed Grackle mama and baby.

 

You’ll have to think of a caption for this shot!

“Okay bud, the next bite is mine!”

My friend Margaret came up with this caption!

Thanks girlfriend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.