Saturday, March 23, 2019

The Loggerhead Shrike!

We hiked the Florida Trails starting at the Pruitt Trailhead ...again! 


It's getting to be one of our favorite hikes! And the Dock weed is so red and pretty along the fences and in the fields.


We saw this bird and thought at first it was some type of Flycatcher because they are so common in this area. Imagine our surprise when we got home and looked in the bird book!


It's a Loggerhead Shrike. The first time we've ever seen one!


We saw the Eastern Meadowlark again but he was a long way off. We had to ZOOOM to get this Kestrel!


 And be quick to photograph two Canada Geese flying overhead!

 
The hiking trail comes back to the horse trail for a short distance and we saw these friendly folks. That was nice!


 And now we'll finish with a song! The Paw paw is in FULL bloom! 

So everyone...altogether now...

Now when you pick a pawpaw
Or a prickly pear
And you prick a raw paw
Next time beware
Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw
When you pick a pear
Try to use the claw
But you don't need to use the claw
When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw
Have I given you a clue ?
The bare necessities of life will come to you
They'll come to you!

The last time I shared Paw paw pics, Jeannie from Get me to the Country had this comment, "What about picking a pawpaw from the song "Bare Necessities" from Jungle Book?" The lyrics are from her too!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE
and I’d Rather B Birdin’.




40 comments:

Tom said...

...a new bird to me until a few minutes ago. Betty posted this:
https://bettycrow.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-weekend-roundup-l.html
Enjoy your weekend.

Susie said...

Diane, You saw some wonderful sights on your hike. I love that pretty bird. The horses are nice too. Love the pretty row of dock weed, I have never heard of it. I do not think I have ever seen a pawpaw either. I remember a song from childhood and "picking up pawpaws and putting them in a basket". Blessings for a fun filled weekend there. xoxo,love you, Susie

Lea said...

The first time to see a bird is always so special! I have never seen a Loggerhead, but the bird maps show that they should be here.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Arlene G said...

That looks like the perfect place to walk and to ride a horse. I always learn something from your blog Diane.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, great sighting of the Loggerhead Shrike. Congrats on your sighting. Great shot of the horseback riders. I remember watching the Jungle Book movie with my son when he was young. It is a cute song. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for the comment and visit to my blog.

Debbie said...

this turned out to be another awesome hike!!! congrats on seeing the Loggerhead Shrike, it is a beautiful bird, one i have never seen!!!

i enjoy seeing horses on our trails, we often do. the paw paw is so pretty...

have a wonderful weekend!!!

Out on the prairie said...

That shrike is gorgeous

Adam Jones said...

The Shrike is such a stunning bird. You got some great pictures.

Abigail Joy said...

That song makes much more sense now that I know what a pawpaw is! I've always wondered. {{smile}} My nieces and nephews call my father "Paw PAw", because that is what we called my grandfather.
Blessings!
Abigail Joy.

Mia said...

Lovely photos, my friend.

Kate said...

Isn't he a handsome fella!! ^^

Terri D said...

We used to sing "...way down yonder in the pawpaw patch" Beautiful photos, as always!

MadSnapper said...

love the paw paw poem. I remember and old song called Picking up paw paws, but can't remember the words. not these though. love that little bird, the shrike. I have not seen one either. thanks for your kind words today

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is not hard to see why you enjoy this trail so much.

Charlene N. K. said...

Looks like a beautiful trail. The loggerhead shrike is such a lovely creature!
Thanks for visiting my blog and the comment.

happyone said...

What a pretty little bird.
Looks like a great hike.

Betty J. Crow said...

I was so excited the first time I saw a Loggerhead Shrike. The first was last year right after we moved from Illinois to Oklahoma. The one I posted a picture of must have a nest at the end of our road because I see him in that area almost every day. He also doesn't fly easily. He seems to wait around for me to finish taking pics. You got a great shot!

Vee said...

The Shrike is so handsomely marked. Glad that the weather has been so fine and that you are able to get out to your favorite trail to hike. Would you like to ride? I think I’d like to ride one of the horses. Can I rent one? 😉

Debbie said...

What a great photo of the Shrike!! I like the picture of the horses, too. The one on the left looks identical to my very first horse, a large paint named Cherokee. Spring is getting closer here in Michigan! Happy weekend to you.
Debbie
xo

Lorrie said...

The Loggerhead Shrike is a new bird to me, and a very pretty one. Glad you're enjoying the hiking these days. It's certainly a beautiful start to spring here.

Linda said...

What a precious bird that shrike is!

Jeannie said...

You mentioned my name! I feel so important except that I was being silly when I commented. Let me stick my big foot in my mouth and that is when I get noticed. I appreciate the shout out. Sorry I didn't check your blog earlier today but I was busy...
Pickin' up pawpaws and puttin' 'em in my pocket
Pickin' up pawpaws and puttin' 'em in my pocket
Pickin' up pawpaws and puttin' 'em in my pocket
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.

Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

Irma said...

Congratulations on the observation of this Loggerhead shrike.
You also see this in the Netherlands, but I have never seen it.
Best regards, Irma

Phil Slade said...

That does look like a lovely trail. It's always nice to see a shrike - we have the same one that we call Great Grey Shrike, but it's a visitor from Europe in small numbers.

Anni said...

Okay now, you've gone & done it ...I will be humming all day!

Looks like it could very well be a favorite trail for me, too. I remembe the 1st time I saw a shrike I thought it was a mockingbird...'til I heard it's song.

I thank you for taking time out in your day to link in and share your blog with us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin'

Ann said...

LOL, love the song. When I got to the end of it I thought it reminded me of the bare necessities.

Kathy said...

I always love looking at your trail pictures. I've never seen most of those birds (except for the Canadian geese -- we have lots of those). It's always interesting to see something new.

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely nature shots ~ favorite is that little bird on the fence ~ ^_^

Happy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

NanaDiana said...

I have never seen that bird, Diane. Isn't it a pretty little thing? I never even knew it existed. It is fun to see people on horseback -- I know you are in horse country in Ocala.
Have a blessed Sunday- xo Diana

Small City Scenes said...

I really like the Shrike and you got a good clear picture. I have seen that bird only twice and only got a picture once. Lucky you
MB

Danice G said...

What a cute bird! Never heard of that species. The paw paw, something I only recently heard of. The song ditty is cute. Happy trails to you!

Carla from The River said...

I love the Loggerhead Shrike, what a beauty. Do they have a pretty song?

I also love the Jungle Book!! It is one of my favorite Disney movies. Do the Paw Paw blooms have a scent?

Linda Walker said...

I am not familiar with that little fellow you saw for the first time. I was just telling my husband today that you always see such wonderful wildlife on your hikes!! Hope all is well, I've been offline for a bit. Stopped by to say hi!hugs, Linda

Janey and Co. said...

Well,

That little bird is just precious! Sorry not to have stopped by lately...need to get back into a regular routine!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

There’s just something so funny about the word paw paw! And wonderful catch on the loggerhead shrike! I’ve seen one only once when we were traveling and in the South somewhere (lol, I will have to read my own blog to help me remember!) . We did the same thing as you , so surprised at learning the ID when we downloaded!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Nice clicks

Lowcarb team member said...

How good to see the Loggerhead Shrike:)
A nice selection of photographs here too.

All the best Jan

Jeanie said...

You've introduced me to a new bird, Diane! Nice capture!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Diane, what beautiful views from your home! I've never seen anyone playing golf in the old-fashioned "plus-fours" before. Cool!

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, that sweet little bird. I always enjoy seeing Florida birds and flowers, Diane. That pink prickly thistle is so unusual. And I love to hear the Geese honking LOUDLY above us.

Thank you for keeping my son in your prayers, Diane. I'm thankful that he is healing now and doing better. I am blessed with blog friends like you, who are there when we need them the most.

Enjoy these Spring days. : )

love, ~Sheri