Saturday, January 27, 2018

A bird that says Meow?

Well, it’s actually more of a ‘catty mew’!

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And yes, it’s a Catbird!

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We get so excited to see a ‘new’ bird at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.

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You all know we go there often so it’s fun to see something ‘out of the ordinary’!

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All About Birds says this, “If you're convinced you'll never be able to learn bird calls, start with the Gray Catbird. Once you've heard its catty mew you won't forget it.”

It was the first bird we saw so we listened for it’s call all along our hike.

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After only a few steps we looked over into a swampy area and saw two Limpkins.

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They are such fun to watch.

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It’s a dark area and I walked up close before I realized they were there.

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I’m glad I didn’t scare them away.

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Hubby got some nice close ups! Thanks hubby!

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And we were happy to see our Little Blue!

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Guess what? He’s still white! heehee!

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But doesn’t it look like his head is turning blue?

The juvenile is white but will he ever grow up? lol

The weather has been so gorgeous that we have been able to get in two hikes a week this month.

Are you having a nice weekend?

Follow Your Heart

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

34 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Little Blue does look like his head is turning blue. What wonderful pictures you got this time!

I have always loved the southern saying about being "in the cat-bird seat" but don't know that I have ever heard one in person.

Have a great weekend- xo Diana

Vee said...

Hope to! My big weekend is getting warmer weather to help me chop ice. 😏 Great captures of these wonderful birds!

Susie said...

Diane, I love that you saw a catbird. I have seen and heard them here. I love the little baby , you can see his head is turning. Nice that you and hubby had some good hikes. You both are very good at getting those bird shots. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

eileeninmd said...

Hello, wonderful photos of the Catbird. I recognize their sounds and the crazy sound of the Limpkins. The Catbird is more of a summer bird for me, I hope you can send them back soon. Love the Limpkin and Little Blue Heron. Gorgeous photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I'm not far from you, but can't recall ever hearing a cat bird before. I've seen birds that look similar, but there are a couple other grays about...so ...

Nice shots

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am happy that the Grey Catbird gave you such pleasure. It will be a very common species here in a couple of months. I was able to see Limpkin in Cuba last November - great bird!

MadSnapper said...

beautiful photos and we hear the bird that sounds like a cat often here. did not know what it is and we never see it, just hear it. the limpkin is really attractive

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Such pretty photos! I've heard a catbird before and it made me laugh! Happy you and hubby are getting some hikes in! Hugs!!

Lea said...

Wonderful! Beautiful!
Have a great weekend!

Jeanie said...

Well, I've never seen a Limpkin OR a catbird -- just a cat that would like to get a slightly closer-up look at the birds outside! Lovely photos as always. What joy to see these!

Red Rose Alley said...

I've never heard of the Catbird before, how interesting. It's nice that the weather allows you to hike the trail already in January. That little white bird is precious. Yes, it looks like his head is turning a shade of blue. : )

Have a splendid weekend, Diane.

~Sheri

Small City Scenes said...

Mew!! Catbird very cool.
I didn't know Heron were white as youngsters. Clever
MB

Ida said...

Wonderful selection of birds. The catbird is really sweet looking. I also love the Limpkins. I do believe that bird's head is starting to turn a bluish shade.

happyone said...

Great photos. I used to see a lot of gray catbirds when I walked around the lake where we used to live.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful photos of our 'feathered friends' ~ great variety ~ love the cat bird!

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

Arlene G said...

Those are some pretty birdies...never heard one meow. I will have to see if we have them in our area.

Linda Walker said...

Diane,
Hi! these are some great photos! Your wildlife photos are always amazing! I love watching birds but I don't have nearly as great a selection of feathered specimens as you! Thanks for sharing with us!!! xo
Linda

Anonymous said...

beautiful photos! I have never heard a cat bird call!

gypsyrose said...

Hope you dont mind me putting a comment on just wanted to say how lovely your photos are It looks like a great place to visit love anything wildlife so have enjoyed visiting your blog thank you

Lowcarb team member said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures, always good to see.
Hope you are a having a great weekend...we have rain, in my part of the UK!

All the best Jan

Anni said...

I've never seen a Limpkin! Even in a zoo...lucky you!

Great photos, and as always I send along my thanks for sharing with us at I'd Rather B Birdin'.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Oh what charming birds - I really like them all. You have the best birds in your area. It has been so stormy lately - high, high winds and 4 inches of rain just this week, so we've been sticking fairly close to home, what with warnings to avoid river areas because of flooding and to avoid hillsides because of the threat of mudslides.Good weather for dressing dollies up for Valentine's Day and stitching on the crazy quilt.

I'm back from my blog break - and working on getting a more regular routine of blogging again - and finally getting around to catching up on blog reading. Happy weekend my dear.

Linda said...

Lovely birds!

Linda said...

Beautiful! You see such amazing things on your walks! Thank you for sharing them with us....

BeachGypsy said...

Yes, I defenitely think little blue is turning BLUE! LOL These are such great pictures of the birds, I sure love seeing them.I don't know anything about those cat birds, but have heard the name a long time ago. Hope you are having a great weekend! We are supposed to get alot of rain tomorrow, so glad we got to walk a little bit today.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane!:) Wow, great sighting of a Limpkin, I have never seen one either, or pictures of one in a book or on line. Lovely captures of the Catbird, a handsome bird, but I never knew until now, why it is so called. Don't see them here though, but can imagine how thrilled you were to see this one. Sweet images of the little Blue Heron, yes, it's head is turning blue!:)

Linda said...

Very good photos of the birds you saw. Looks like a loveky place for a walk.

A Colorful World said...

Several wonderful sightings, but I share your joy in seeing (and hearing) the catbird! It's a gorgeous bird.

Betty J. Crow said...

I've heard of cat birds, but never seen one. Nice close ups. Little blue :) does look like he might be getting some blue on his head. Nice close ups of the limpkins.

Terri D said...

You always have the most interesting photos to share with us! Perhaps one of these days we can plan to meet in person. You really are only about two hours from us here in Lakeland....

Carla from The River said...

Amazing photos my friend! You do capture them so well. I like the information about each too.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That’s such a great park ..and good to find a new bird! Yep, even I can recognize the catbird call. I’d never even heard of the bird the first time we saw one...what a surprise that was. I hope your “baby blue” stays around and you can tell us how long it takes for him to change into grownup color! He’s pretty in white though!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...


We have catbirds too, I love them. Great pics!

handmade by amalia said...

I don't think I had a proper appreciation for birds before I started reading your blog, Diane. These are so lovely and each with its own personality.
Amalia
xo