We didn't have any damage from Hurricane Eta here in North Central Florida. Damaging winds and rain and of course tornados are always a threat but it passed through without any of that. We woke up in the middle of the night to wind, rain and leaves hitting the bedroom window but it wasn't bad.
Now we are left with much improved weather! And even more birds that usual.
We are seeing big flocks of birds fly through, some we haven't been able to identify!
And one day we drove in to the Pruitt Trailhead and saw these Sandhill Cranes under the trees, where we expect to see them.
You've seen a photo of ME here at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.
And I've taken a 'few' of sweet hubby here.
You've even seen a coyote on the trail a month or so ago.
But what do we see through the grasses before we turn the corner?
Sandhill Cranes on the trail?
Yes, they were finding all kinds of bugs and insects on the trail.
Eat them all!
Then there will be fewer to eat on me! lol
Several times I've seen them flying overhead.
Time to migrate to Florida! Come on down! 🌴
42 comments:
Beautiful photos Diane, the last one is my favorite. So glad the storm passed your area without any problems!
The cranes are so big! Very neat photos! I'm glad you were safe from Eta! :)
Hello,
You do have some great bird sightings during your walks. The parks there are great. I love seeing the Sandhill Cranes, nice to see you and your hubby walking on the trail. Great series of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day. Have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
The sandhill cranes are always special I know so beautiful! But also the beauty is there in the trees and the bushes and the grass and all the gorgeous stuff you see on that trail
Oh Diane, I know the sandhill cranes left Ontario to go south a while back as a birder on facebook talked of it. I wonder if they go all the way to Florida. But it must have been a thrill to see these large birds and also lucky they eat their weight in bugs every day too. Added bonus!
Hello. Beautiful photos. I love cranes. They are fantastic birds.
Have a nice weekend.
By now you have convinced me that the only thing I wouldn't like about Florida is the humidity. I lived in Princeton, NJ when I first came to the US and I was sick a lot. I just couldn't handle the humid climate. And I was young then. I have been thriving here in the dry air.
Other than that, your nature photos, the Florida trails, the birds, and all the other animals, you would have me convinced. The picture of them flying is amazing.
happy to hear you "weathered" the storm and did not have any problems. the cranes are so pretty, with that pop of color on top!!! gorgeous clouds and your flight images is amazing!!!
Glad to hear the storm passed without damage. The Sandhill Cranes are beautiful, and if they eat bugs, so much the better for you! Wonderful photos.
...GREAT news!
Diane, You sure get the big birds there. Oh I know what you mean about the biting bugs. By the time those no-se-ums died out here, we didn't have many nice days to sit out and enjoy the sunshine...cause we had to work on the chores they drove us from. LOL So very thankful you are safe. Blessings, xoxo,love Susie
I love those Sandhill Cranes. That last photo is awesome. I've never seen this myself. Enjoy your day, I'm enjoying your walks. Hugs, Edna B.
Our local forest preserve has as many as three pair each year, and when they appear in late January/February with their skinny legs standing in snow, I wonder why they ever leave from where they migrated too. Please give them a wave from us, for they may be one of our favorites too. This is the miracle of blogging---finding the common threads! Sandi
Majestic and big but so graceful birds.
They have gone long ago from Finland too...
Wonderful to see Sandhill Cranes!
Have a great weekend!
Migrating to Florida for the winter sounds very nice :) So happy to hear that you were safe from the storms.
You are blessed to have such a beautiful property.
Glad to hear you didn't have any problems from the storm. Those Sandhill Cranes were having a feast.
The cranes look so elegant!
Yes, I love it when the S.H. Cranes come calling after a storm...they love to peck at the ground and get whatever has come closer to the surface because of the rain. I am still watching for our Canadian Geese to come back. I know there are some flocks in the area on other lakes, but they still have not landed on our pond. I hope they don't pass us up this year. They were such fun. That and the ring-necked ducks. But it may still be early for them. Looking forward to the cooler weather this next week! Bring it on!! And likewise, Eta blew right over us without hardly a sound. Just knocked a few little branches out of the oak trees, but that happens with any wind. Very thankful!!!
Glad you didn't sustain any hurricane damage. Loved all the photos of the Sandhill Cranes, another bird I'd love to some day see in person. Hope you are having a terrific weekend so far!
I'm so glad you didn't have storm damage. And seeing the cranes is quite a sight. They make a stop here in Michigan en route to the South but I've not seen them for a few years. Lovely!
Those sandhill cranes are so cool. Great images of them. The red spot really stands out.
Those cranes are amazing. My daughter pointed out three hawks circling above us as we drive north on I-95. Not quite the same... 🙃 I had lunch with a friend who is eager to migrate to Florida right after the holidays are over.
The Sandhill Cranes always fascinate me. They are beautiful (and noisy)!
So glad Eta passed by without a lot of fuss and bother. We saw a few Sandhill Cranes here at the Refuge this week. We live near the refuge so we see all kinds of wildlife as we are on our way to Decatur.
I'm glad to hear you were unscathed by the storm. The bird photos are wonderful. Have a safe week ahead. xx
I am glad you were safe from the storm and those beautiful birds as well. YOur photography is inspiring and uplifting. The photos feel so peaceful.
Glad you are safe. I love the crane photos!
Sandhill cranes are one of my favorite birds if all!
Thanks for stopping by & adding your shared link at IRBB.
Me alegra que todo esté bien. Las grullas son unas aves que me encantan, las de por aquí son distintas. Besos.
Are you near the place where a very small number of whooping cranes hang out in Florida? We managed to see one once.
Sandhill cranes seem very adaptable -- they live in a park near us (as well as in wild areas) and have become very tame. They are also widespread in other areas of the US right down to you in Florida.
be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Well, Diane, the ONLY time I've ever seen one is in captivity so YOU are very fortunate that they vacation in your neck of the woods!!...:)jp
I have never seen a Sandhill crane. What interesting pictures! Glad you made it safely through the storm.
Sandhill Cranes are superb birds, and if I am not mistaken the Florida population is non migratory. They can be prodigious eaters of large insects like grasshoppers and katydids, but I doubt that they put much of a dent in the ones that bite you.
I sure do enjoy seeing your wildlife photos. Cranes are so majestic and cool looking. My sister gets them now and then in the summer by her pond near her condo and she lives upstairs and has a great view of them.
Stay safe and well.
Hello Diane!
The pictures of the cranes are wonderful!
I have no chance to see them in nature.
Hugs and greetings.
Lucja
Rain often has the same effect here. It drops the migrating birds/. Why would they fly through bad weather. Sounds like you're on a migration path Diane.
Very big birds, and you managed to get some wonderful photos of them.
are your cranes still there? Ours left almost two months ago. Your Sandhill cranes have such a nice head :)
I like those towering clouds. :)
So pleased the storm passed your area without any problems.
Some very nice photographs here.
All the best Jan
Those Sandhill Cranes are so unique looking. Love their red heads. And this is a wonderful photo of them in flight. So glad to hear you didn't have any damage from the hurricane. That must have alarmed you to wake up to the wind and rain hitting the window in your bedroom. We've had winds here too, but only a couple days of rain so far. Stay safe, you mean a lot to me. : )
~Sheri
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