Saturday, March 2, 2019

Want to go on a new trail?

When we got to the Pruitt Trailhead, we headed off in a different direction. 
A lot of the fields are holding water right now so it's a popular stop for all kinds of birds.


We got excited to see a big flock of Cattle Egrets.
I know they are a common bird but still beautiful to watch in flight. They swoop and fly in unison...most of the time.
But we better keep going!


La La La....remember this is how I hike much of the time.


And then hubby says, Turn around!!!


Yes, the flock we had been trying to zoom in on, was following us on the trail.


 Time for a few close ups!


I told you there would be a 'story' to tell! You just never know what you'll see when you hike with me.
Do you like my new pack? 


It's working out great! Light as a feather! I hardly know I'm even carrying it.


Posing by the Florida Trails sign.


Hubby too! 

Oh, and if you hike with me and take your time....


you might spot this Eastern Meadowlark in the field.


We actually heard it's melodic song before we spotted it!


I hope you've had fun hiking the Florida Trails!
And thanks to everyone for visiting Lavender Dreams too!
 
I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE


and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

46 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is really good to see the Eastern Meadowlark. Their numbers have declined precipitously in recent years. We are just starting a project to restore about forty acres of farmland to natural grassland so we hope to create habitat for them,

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You guys got some great pictures!

Joyful said...

I love the photo of the egrets flying right behind you. Wonderful shot! The meadowlark is very pretty.

Susie said...

Diane, I love all the wonderful things you show us. The egrets look amazing in flight. I would love to hear a meadowlark's song. I can see by the sign post that you are about the same height and with you husband by the sign he is a whole head taller. LOL I am so glad you both are back on the trail. Blessings, xoxo, love , Susie

Arlene G said...

I love your new bag. My granddaughter, Kendall , has a similar one that she carries to school. I believe hers is a Kavu. The picture of you with the birds in flight is amazing.

Vee said...

The Eastern Meadowlark is beautiful...must refresh my memory for its song. So funny that the egrets were following you and that you had the chance to take such up close photos. The pack looks great and if it is comfortable...so much the better! Fun sense of humor, Diane, self-deprecating and all that...lalalalalala 🎶

Net - "It's a Wonderful Movie" said...

Oh, I love that you are here to take us on this walk. Your pictures today are excellent... I loved seeing you both in them! And that's great when something new, like your backpack, works out so nicely.

How sweet that the flock of birds followed along with you. I guess they wanted to take a walk with both of you, too!

Happy trails to you... until we meet again!!! Blessings, Net

MadSnapper said...

BEAUTIFUL meadowlark and I love number 3, the photo of you with the flock in flight behind you. wow. I need a camera person who wants to wander around with me.. I love to see flocks of birds like this

Kim said...

How exciting to be followed by a flock of curious birds! That meadowlark is beautiful! Looks like a fun day!

carol l mckenna said...

You look like Pro ~ neat camera bag and awesome photography ~ hubby is cute too!

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

NanaDiana said...

I am so glad that you and your hubby have so much fun hiking. Love that the birds were following you---tables turned there!
So nice to see you 'back-in-action' again. xo Diana

eileeninmd said...

Hello, looks like another great spot for a hike. I think the Cattle Egrets are beautiful. It is nice they hung around for you and your camera. The Meadowlark is a gorgeous bird, I love the bright yellow on their chest. Wonderful post and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank also for leaving me a comment.

Jeanie said...

That would be one of the most magnificent experiences in my world, to be followed so closely by a flock of egrets. They are magnificent birds and they must have trusted you so much. I love it.

Tom said...

...I see a bunch of cattle egrets here on Maui, but you have me beat!

Terri D said...

Wonderful photos, as always! I've not heard of Cattle Egrets. I'll have to look it up. We just call them all Egrets! Thanks for taking us along on your hike!

Louca por porcelana said...

Such beauty...Thanks for sharing...You make me think about being old...Thank you for your kind comments in my blog too.Have a lovely day!Hugs!

Kate said...

The meadowlark song is always music to my ears - I used to hear all the time when I was growing up - now that I'm so grown up that I'm old it is a song seldom heard but I still enjoy it. Love the photos.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great photos. Egrets aren't that common around here (CT). We have them, but not in huge flocks like your photos. (They are one of my favorite birds to photograph.) And that Eastern Meadowlark is gorgeous.

Out on the prairie said...

Pretty funny being stalked by a flock. I have seen them up here once,

Adam Jones said...

Wow! So many Cattle Egrets. I struggle to see just one each year. :)

Lea said...

Lovely meadowlark photos! Looks like the cattle egrets are having fun with you!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Bob Bushell said...

Superb taking of the Cattle Egrets, and the Eastern Meadowlark, love it.

Bill said...

What a wonderful place to hike and see a flock of Cattle Egrets. Beautiful photos. I do like your new bag, it looks comfortable. Glad your blog was returned and have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Meditations in Motion said...

Oh, those meadowlarks make me long for spring! It will be almost 2 months before they arrive here in PA. I love their song. Cattle egrets may be common to FL, but not in PA! That new pack looks wonderful. Makes me feel ready to go hiking!

gypsyrose said...

Your Easten meadowlark is so pretty I love following your blog its good to see the different places and wildlife that you have in your country.

Kathy said...

You put a smile on my face with the birds following YOU! Love that Eastern meadowlark. What a beautiful bird.

Rose said...

What a fun thing to happen...that with the egrets!

Cherdecor said...

PHEW!(Wiping my forehead) Finally, you are back! I thought you were gone for good! I kept getting those dreadful messages scaring me to death. There were things I wanted to tell you and now I don't remember the name of the book that Alan said you should read. I'll have to check again.

I am so sorry about your blog, but happy now that you are back in business. I need to go back over your posts to see what I missed. I saw where your husband chained your hiking shoes together. He tickles us to death. You two are so fun!

I will get back here when it isn't so late in the evening. Talk to you soon.

Debbie said...

oh diane, you are looking pretty spiffy, do you have a new hat too??

i rarely see groups of egrets like that so it was a thrill for me!!

the meadowlark is beautiful, singing it's little heart out!!

My Tata's Cottage said...

Good to see you back to blogging! I Keep thinking there must be a way to move our blogs elsewhere but I am unsure where to start. You and your hubby look so happy hiking and being followed by the birds. LOve all the photos you share.
I have lost touch with you for a bit. I will have to share with you sometime soon.
You are enjoying a hike and bird watching and we are receiving a new blanket of snow tonight. It started early this afternoon and getting lots of the white stuff.
Our youngest daughter drove to Vegas with our grandson Colton and Jacey. I am hoping they will be able to make it home safely.
I am happy I stopped by. I hope your weekend has been wonderful and you enjoy a lovely new week. Take care HUGS

Hootin Anni said...

I so enjoyed taking the new trail with you two!! Fabulous photos & always exciting commentary. Oh, and Diane, once again it's fantastic to have your blog back in our midst.

I want to send along my thanks for linking in & sharing your post with us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin this week!

Phil Slade said...

Diane. I just read what happened to you and your blog. That was a terrible thing for Google to do for a totally innocent blog and your good self. Judge, jury and executioner!

Good to see you back with some splendid birds. Just love that gang of Cattle Egrets and the way they stick together - just like bloggers.

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh Diane, what great shots with all of those egrets flying around you! Hearing and seeing that Meadowlark would have made me so happy! I'm thankful your blog is back, what a horrible time. Take care and keep enjoying your wonderful hikes!
Hugs,
Nancy

Janey and Co. said...

So happy you are back! Beautiful pictures...Janey

Ellen D. said...

Love your hikes! You do a wonderful job of explaining what you see and making me feel as if I am hiking along with you. Great pictures too! What a talent you have! Thanks so much!

Vicki said...

Awesome shots, especially of the birds in flight!

Debbie Harris said...

Your photography is beautiful!

I enjoyed a hike with you in Florida, thank you for sharing your beauty with us.

Have a blessed day ~

betty-NZ said...

A great series of photos from your hike! I'm so glad you won your fight with Google :)

Ann said...

How funny that the egrets were following you. That meadowlark is so pretty

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The meadowlark is fabulous! I can almost hear it singing. And I love the way you hike with the egrets...those are amazing pictures.

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, that Meadowlark is so pretty. Such a bright yellow belly. What a sight it must have been to see all those Egrets. I love that third photo of them flying in back of you. Glad to see a hiking post again, Diane, and your Header picture is awesome.

Happy March days to you.

love, ~Sheri

Little Wandering Wren said...

Those egrets are clever birds, perhaps they are hoping you have brought some birdseed with you in your new bag?!
Sorry to read all about your blog woes, glad to see you are back up and running. Phishing be gone!
Wren x

handmade by amalia said...

Another great hike, Diane. And the header is stunning.
Amalia
xo

Nancy Chan said...

That was a wonderful hike with great photos. I love the ones with the birds in flight and you in the center. Have a great week!

Lowcarb team member said...

Great to see your photographs.

All the best Jan

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

We used to see cattle egrets all the time when we lived on the VA eastern shore. They would fly around the wild ponies on Chincoteague.