Saturday, June 2, 2018

Swallow tailed Kites and Soft shelled Turtles

Florida is turning into a jungle with all the rain we’ve had but it sure makes everything lush and beautiful!

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My sweet cousin Cindy and I went to Sholom Park one day while she was here. (don’t we all have ‘camera envy’ when we see hers!)

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And then another day I went back to walk in an area where I usually see the Swallow tailed Kites.

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One of the workers caught up with me on his ATV and asked what I had seen.

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He said there were 4 Kites nesting in the trees nearby. I sure would love to see baby Kites, wouldn’t you?

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It was funny that when Cindy and I were there we saw hundreds of tadpoles but when I went back a couple of days later, they were all gone.

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Food for someone, I’m sure.

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In this photo you can see the Koi deep in the water, turtles coming to the surface and tiny fish swimming about. Of course there are lots of birds that stop by to eat at the pond too.

We saw something VERY unusual too!

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TWO Soft Shelled Turtles! (here’s one close up)

When I took this pic, the reflection gave it an eerie look!

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Spooky!

What have you seen this week? How much rain have you had?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

25 comments:

Arlene G said...

The sun is finally shining here today and as I have a wedding to attend, I am glad for it! The lawn and plants do look good though.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I haven't been out shooting. I'm getting the DDTs. Need to get out...but I think I'm catching my wife's cold now. Argh

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Love the Kites photos. I would love to see the baby Kites! They are cool raptors. That is a lot of tadpoles. The turtles are a favorite, The soft shelled turtle is cool looking. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend! PS, thanks for the comment.

Susie said...

Diane, Your cousin camera is wonderful, but I think you have taken some very good photos for today's post. You do get to see lots of birds and water creatures. So fun. Hope the humidity doesn't get too high. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Linda @ A La Carte said...

The kites are so pretty. Would love to see babies! It's just so green here after all the rain but the humidity is awful. No perfect weather, aw well.

happyone said...

Wow that is some camera she has.
Beautiful photos.
I've never heard of a soft shell turtle. I'm off to look them up.

A Colorful World said...

Your friends camera brings to mind Crocodile Dundees "That's not a knife THIS is a knife!" Well, that's a camera! :-) Loved the shots! The kites are beautiful!

A Colorful World said...

I wasn't sure my comment posted! I said the friend's camera reminds me of Crocodile Dundee "That's not a knife, THIS is a knife!" :-) That's definitely a camera. beautiful photos! Loved the pretty kites.

Vee said...

Is your cousin going to allow you to share one of her photos? I think you’re doing just fine with your own camera, but I confess to a bit of camera envy. Glad that you two enjoyed some time together. Hope the rain quits until you need it again.

Terri D said...

Wonderful photos! Lush and green, yes indeed! You always find the most interesting subjects to photograph and share with us!!

Jean said...

Great photos! Guessing the turtles ate the tadpoles? Hope you're having a great weekend.

Kathy said...

You always get such good pictures of the wildlife. I have never seen a softshell turtle before. Wow!

We haven't had any rain for awhile until tonight. Now it is pouring and we are having a bad thunderstorm. It's supposed to last the rest of the weekend. Hope not. We need the rain but it seems to rain most Sundays around here.

Anni said...

Ya, those turtles are ones only their mother could love! Great post Diane...those kites (I am envious)

Thank you for bringing your birds to us for our viewing pleasure over the weekend.

Debbie said...

oooh that last picture, spooky indeed!!

we have been having a lot of rain and a lot of gray skies...the sun has really been mia!!!

your flight images of the kites are really awesome! and i like cindy, that girl knows how to dress (purple), it is nice to have a friend to walk with!! have an awesome sunday!!

Anonymous said...

Fun photos. We've had about 15 inches of rain the last 2 weeks. Our flowers/shrubs are growing fast. Thankful today to have clear skies. Wishing you a nice day.

Phil Slade said...

I'm always amazed how quickly tadpoles disappear. Like you say, food for thought Diane.

I'd love to watch Swallow-tailed kites. If I ever get to Florida it's first on my list.

NatureFootstep said...

wow, loved to see the Swallow tailed Kites. I think I have spotted one in one of my trips but it was too far away. Love your shots :)

Sam I Am...... said...

Kites....I've never seen them in person....great photos! We've had rain too and I mow again but it's too wet yet. I've seen nothing! LOL! Well, I do see birds and butterflies but I don't know what they are.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

I love your photos Diane and the last one is great. We have a lot of rain too here. One day it's warm and sunny and the next is cloudy and cold. I can't wait for sunshine every day for a week. LOL.
Hope you enjoy your week
Julie

Lowcarb team member said...

Always good to see your photo's ... especially the swallow-tailed kites.

All the best Jan

Angie said...

Those turtles are amazing, but my eye was drawn to the size of the koi under the water. My goodness - they probably ate the tadpoles (and more besides)! On Saturday night we saw a small fox running ahead of us on the road - he finally had the sense to go off to the side. It was too dark to get a proper picture, but I have the memory!

betty-NZ said...

Great images! We do learn to appreciate the sunshine when we have so many days of rain. :)

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Preciosas fotos de la naturaleza

Red Rose Alley said...

Oooo, that last picture is spooky, indeed. It looks more like a sea monster hehehe. I've never heard of the soft shelled turtle - they look different than the original turtle. I'm glad you're getting lots of rain. Your park looks so green and lush.

~Sheri

Jeanie said...

Your bird-in-flight shots are always the best. I just got back from vacation in Maryland and it rained on the way, all through my visit and then when I got home in Lansing! Ugh!