Saturday, October 12, 2019

Witnessing a Miracle!


When you get out in nature you never know when 'time and chance' will put you in a place to see something amazing. 


We always see beautiful birds at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.
I'll feature a few of the birds we saw on our hike.


And save the miracle for the end of the post.


The trail was mowed so it was easy walking!

This Eastern Meadowlark surprised us because it didn't sing it's usual melodic song.


We were very happy to see it fly and then perch in a tree along the trail....and tweet!


It's always neat to see a Hawk.


And this is the photo you get when the hawk flies right over your head!


I love the backgrounds in these photos. 


And now for the miracle!


I tend to be amazed at most things in nature but watching a turtle lay her eggs was a once in a lifetime event.


 She took her time preparing a place for it, tunneling down into the soft dirt. Then after she laid the egg, she rested.

I'll include 2 short videos...


they are similar but so much fun to watch. 


We saw her lay about 10 eggs before we decided to leave and give her some privacy.


Have you been able to get outside and enjoy nature this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

     and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

44 comments:

Sandy said...

Wow, that is indeed very cool!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I have seen turtles lay many times, but it never ceases to be a very special event. You were fortunate to have come across it.

Susie said...

Diane, That is amazing that you saw all that on one of your hikes. You do have a great places for walking. I wonder how many turtles will make it out of that group. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Arlene G said...

I love how you take the time to enjoy your nature walks Diane. Thanks for sharing with us.

Jeanie said...

I would have called ALL of these a miracle. BUT, you're right -- that turtle and egg is a special gift.

MadSnapper said...

wow, oh wow!!!!! absolutely AMAZING!!! I have never seen a turtle lay eggs except in videos and movies and photos. this is next best to be there. you are right, a miracle indeed. she is so gentle and careful with each egg. the second bird singing looks so HAPPY.....and I love the Hawk In Flight shot....

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Wonderful sightings and photos. I love the Meadowlark, they are beautiful birds. It is so cool to be able to see the turtle laying the eggs, great videos. Great critter post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, Enjoy your weekend. PS, thanks for the visit and comment.

Xanadu said...

How wonderful it must have been to see! :) Now spring is here down south I imagine I'll get to enjoy nature more. It's good to see you are still posting.
Hugs,
X

Debbie said...

What a neat video! Turtles have laid eggs in my garden, and a few on our beach...unfortunately, racoons have found the eggs sometimes. I've never seen the turtles lay the eggs...so this was fun to watch. Thank you for sharing this!!
Debbie
xo

Tom said...

...life is filled with major and minor miracles. I think that all of these are rather major!

Lea said...

Beautiful birds, but Oh, Wow! the turtle! What an amazing experience!

Vee said...

That’s not something I have seen before, but then I am not much of an outdoor gal. Thanks for the pics and vids! That hawk flying overhead is pretty amazing.

Edna B said...

I love your photos, but oh my, what a special miracle! I've never seen a turtle laying eggs. This was so special. Thank you so much for sharing. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Connie said...

So does she dig a separate hole for each egg, or does she pad in dirt around each one to keep them from breaking each other? It just seems like the dropping of one on top of the other might cause cracking. Thanks for the nature videos and the photos . . . you do an amazing job of teaching us about the wildlife around your Florida home. I love walking the trails with you :)

Phil Slade said...

That is something I could only dream about seeing for real. It's always shown on TV as the highlight of nature programs. I'm so jealous Diane.

happyone said...

Oh wow. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Amazing to watch!!

You already know I'm outside every day!! : )

Bill said...

What a truly amazing event to witness. Nature is gorgeous, isn't it.
Lovely photos!

Ann said...

WOW, how cool. What an amazing thing to see.

RedPat said...

Wow - what an experience to see that turtle laying its eggs!

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Wow what a nice event for you--the timing was perfect!!!
I did sit out in the gazebo this afternoon knitting for awhile and today-across the street was some birds just singing away--and I watched a Monarch butterfly visiting some plants along the fence line--
luv,di

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful images.

carol l mckenna said...

Your nature photography is awesome and so creative ~ I love being out in nature as does my little yorkie too ~

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

A Bit of the Blarney said...

How wonderful and incredible!!! Just to witness that miracle must have been heartwarming. Thank you and have a wonderful day!,

Latane Barton said...

That was truly amazing.

Latane Barton said...

That was truly amazing.

BeachGypsy said...

I love all the bird pictures, you are sure getting some great ones! I've never seen any of those birds around here, except the hawk. Speaking of the hawk......MERCY!!---if one flew that low over MY HEAD I would be hitting the ground!! ha ha LOL The turtle pictures are just amazing, I've never seen that in person, just on t/v maybe. So cool you just happened up on it!! You're right, you never know what you'll see!! Most of our walks are city walks but you'd be surprised how much nature we do see!! When it's cooler we love to go out to the old plantations and hike around, alot more nature out that way. No hiking here today, we went on a short 45 minute walk, it was up in the 80s and I was burning up all day. Hope you are having a great weekend my friend! Hugs!

Linda said...

Awesome! Congratulations to Mother Turtle.

Irma said...

How wonderful that you could experience this with laying the eggs of the turtle.
The photos are great too.
Best regards, Irma

Anni said...

What an exceptional post this time Diane.
Thanks for stopping by & sharing your blog at I'd Rather B Birdin this week.

Giancarlo said...

Bellissime fotografie, quella della tartaruga che depone le uova è favolosa,
Buona giornata.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

awwwwwwwwwwww

it's HIKING season!!

Jenn Jilks said...

What a lovely jaunt!

Debby said...

Wow, how you caught that turtle laying eggs. Amazing. Beautiful nature shots. Thank you for sharing.

SImple and Serene Living said...

What an amazing treat. The change in the weather is allowing me to get back out and do some hiking. I haven't seen anything like that though. xo Laura

Kit said...

Oh wow!! That is incredible! Thanks for the videos. I have never seen a turtle lay eggs. So cool that you got to see it. 😊 Kit

Red Rose Alley said...

A miracle, indeed. Thanks for sharing the videos, Diane - we got to see it too! : )

~Sheri

NanaDiana said...

OMGOSH! I have never seen a turtle lay eggs either. What an amazing thing to watch! I hope you have a good week but probably won't be able to top that! xo Diana

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh my gosh Diane!! That turtle mama really was a miracle to witness. Thank you for sharing. Can’t imagine how wonderful it would be to stumble on that . Wow. ....nice birds too .... (the meadowlark is doing the *only* kind of tweets I’m interested in hearing about ))! ). ... it was odd that it wasn’t singing wasn’t it! Just resting his voice I guess.

Terri D said...

Wow. Thanks for filming the miracle to share with us! Loved the birds too but those videos are amazing.

NatureFootstep said...

the bird in the second shot really looks happy :)
And what a treat. Congrats to the sight of the turtle laying her eggs. Thanks for sharing :)

Lowcarb team member said...

Your photographs were all lovely to see … and then we came to the turtle!
Wow! Great videos, wonderful to see. Thank you so much for sharing this most special happening here with us.

All the best Jan

Rose said...

So awesome that you got to witness the actual laying of the eggs. And love your meadowlark shots....I never get the opportunity to photograph them. They are always out at the strip pits in the summer, but are so shy, they fly before I can get close.

Debbie said...

gorgeous birds, you captured some fabulous images!! the bright yellow in the meadowlark is stunning!!

now on to the surprise, wow, the videos were amazing...that may be the coolest thing i have ever seen!!!

Debbie said...

ooooh and yes, i did get out!!!