The Bald Eagle flies over the Florida Trails!

 Calling all friends of the Florida Trails!

We sighted a Bald Eagle flying overhead!

We were taking a morning hike and we had stopped on the hill that I call The Bluebird of Happiness Hill to take photos of this pretty little Downy Woodpecker when hubby looked high in the sky and spotted an Eagle!

But the funny part was we had just talked to a bicyclist friend and he told us he had spotted Eagles this past week (not here though). So we said we would be on the lookout for them! He rode away and about 10 minutes later, we saw this Eagle overhead! 

It appears to be a young adult, maybe in it's 4th year. It had a solid white head, dark body but a little band of black on the end of the tail feathers. When it is a full adult the tail feathers will be all white.

Another day we hiked Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and saw this interesting flock of birds fly over.

We are starting to see more migratory birds we were wondering what birds were in this flock.

There were White Ibis with the curved bill....

some Juveniles with splotched colors!

but there were also several Little Blue Herons flying along!

We love Little Blues and rarely see more than one at a time. They are not usually in a flock. See the differences in these beaks? 

They even stopped to take a break in some trees near by.

But they had trouble getting 'perched'!

And isn't this Great White Egret funny?

We are starting to see a change in the weather and more birds! YAY! 

Have you had a chance to get outside and see what the skies hold near you?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Sharing 'this and that'!

 I was going to title this, 'the beautiful and extremely ugly' but that didn't sound very 'inviting'! 

But it's another week of seeing neat things as we hike. 

The weather is so gorgeous that we are hitting the trails just about every other day! And one day we made TWO hikes! Don't ask....we won't try that again any time soon! We were BEAT!

The little pond at Pruitt is perfect for horses AND birds.

And they are always SO beautiful! 

I have never seen so many butterflies as this year and we saw one we hadn't seen before.

I think it's a Viceroy!

Not great photos but what do you think Debbie?

And I met a fellow 'lady hiker'! YAY! She was a delight to chat with and has made lots of interesting hikes. I hope we see her again soon! She is the beautiful part of this post!

There was only one other car parked where we park so that started the conversation.

You know I love stickers on a vehicle! 

We've seen a couple of caterpillars that look like Halloween.

And a scary spider that has a face.

Hubby took my photo on the Florida Trails.

And if the photo I took of him looks a little askew, it's because he is taking a photo of a snake and I'm not standing still! lol It was a harmless Black Racer....but I was anxious to keep moving!

A neat spider web....

and one with water droplets!

And now we're out of here! For those that celebrate Halloween, the spiders and webs and snakes are for YOU! 

Nature can be scary! But don't be skeeeered! Get out there and ENJOY!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

 

The Mysteries of life!

 

Well, my title is a bit of an exaggeration but believe me when I tell you I am a person 'prone to exaggeration'! heeheehee!

I'm sharing some of the strange sights I've seen this week. And might even need your help in figuring out what in the world I have actually seen.

We started a hike at Blue Run Park a few days ago with the sight of this hand painted truck. 

I was going to tell you all that I painted my truck but I knew you would then ask when I traded my BMW for a truck. hahaha!

There was a tiny Bible on the ID sign at this Water Oak tree.

And painted rocks by some of the other signs. I even decided to pick one up. I plan to take it to another trail head and leave it there. But when I looked at the photo, I wondered what it was? What is the painting supposed to be?

We saw some amazing airplanes this week! An old Biplane, an Opsrey and the President's airplane as he flew over for a rally here in Florida. 

A few people lost their bobbers in the trees when they were fishing this week.

The Florida State Wildflower, Coreopsis is in full bloom right now.

And then there is this! Let me explain! 

It was growing on the side of a huge Oak Tree. It is BIG! About the size of a cantaloupe! I know it's some kind of fungi but haven't determined exactly which one. Anyone ever seen this before?

It's been an interesting week so far!

 How is your week shaping up?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,

AND my Monday post HERE.

The American Kestrel and friends

 

Fall is the perfect season to get outside in this part of Florida. The weather is mild, humidity is lower and there are interesting birds at every turn. 

Some we haven't seen in awhile.

Like this American Kestrel.

I don't usually get a photo that shows the bright color he sports.

And then how amazing to look up in the sky and see two more soaring overhead.

Can't leave these beautiful birds out on this hike.

The Northern Flicker

And even a photo of his back.

The pretty Eastern Bluebird.

A Red-headed Woodpecker.

A Pileated Woodpecker.

A Tufted Titmouse

Rufous-sided Towhee

Prairie Warbler

Palm Warbler

and a Blue Jay!

All taken on a 2 hour hike on the Florida trails near my house! 

Amazing! I know! 

Have you seen any interesting birds near you this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.