Saturday, August 28, 2021

Let's go for a drive!

 
We drove over to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve to see what we could see, not to hike! 


We've had a very hot August and fewer hikes as a result.


On one side of the gravel drive into HTP at the Pruitt trailhead is a horse farm. I lived in Texas for many years and still think of them as ranches but here in Florida, everyone calls them horse farms. 


Do you see a line of white birds on the fence?


We zoomed in but still didn't get very good photos.


But among the Cattle Egrets, Great White Egrets and Little Blue Herons (white juvenile stage), there was one streaked and splotched bird.


It was big and is probably a young Great Blue Heron. It really stood out, even from a distance.


There were also a few cows on the opposite side with a few Cattle Egrets.


And when we got home, a Red Shouldered Hawk flew onto the roof of the house across the street.


It was smaller than most so maybe it was a younger bird too.

Has it cooled down any where you live? 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

28 comments:

Tom said...

...a drive with the AC on is for me!

Vee said...

Yes, this bery day, the temp has dropped over 20° and I am very much enjoying the coolness. I have been waiting because I have chores to do.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Wonderful sighting of the Egrets and Heron on the fence. The Mottled looking bird is a transitional Little Blue Heron. It is neat seeing the Cattle Egrets walking safely around those big cows. The Red-shouldered Hawk is a beauty. Great collection of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, thank you for leaving a comment on my post.

Mae Travels said...

The heat at the end of August seems more bearable since it will soon be autumn. Fall migration of a few smaller birds is at its very earliest, and we are hopeful that birding will soon be more fun than in the slow summer season.

best.... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Wow, you got beautiful photos of the hawk!
Cooler here in Vermont for a day or two. The birds look like they've been measured apart like a marching band.

Marcia said...

Today is remarkably cool. Not even 70 yet. I've got a light sweatshirt on. You spotted some interesting birds.

carol l mckenna said...

Amazing hawk photo and the egrets and Heron too ~ lovely place to visit ~ Xo

Living in the moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Terri D said...

Not cooler here yet (like you) but I could sure go or some lower humidity, even if it stays hot. I enjoyed your photos!! Happy weekend! xo

Olde Dame Holly said...

We enjoy driving when it's too hot, too. I love the picture of all the birds along the fence, and the cows and the egrets. I had forgotten those kinds of scenes! So pretty. The hawk looks like it is considering a songbird dinner.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Great pictures! Still hot here, but in about a month it will be much better. I still am walking on the beach 3 times a week. I do it around 8:30 in the morning. There is always a breeze off the Gulf of Mexico.

RedPat said...

It is hot and humid here so I haven't been very far either. Love the birds on the fence.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Wonderful pictures! I love the birds...all of them, and the cows too. No, it hasn't cooled down any here yet, as you are well aware! LOL. Hot and muggy. Praying for the people on the Gulf, who will be hit by Ida most likely tomorrow. May God be merciful and cause it to come apart and not cause so much damage to those poor folks who have already had TOO MUCH! Just so very sad. Your hawk looks like our hawks here. Maybe they are cousins! LOL.

Billy Blue Eyes said...

That hawk is a pretty bird

Willow said...

I love herons and egrets!
I found your blog through Nutbrown Cottage.
Hurray on getting in so many hikes. We love hiking too, but it has been so humid that we haven't done many hikes, just evening walks (do those count as hikes?).

Cloudia said...

Such fabulous shots!

Ann said...

The photos of that hawk are amazing.
No cool down here. It's been hot, humid and miserable

happyone said...

Love those first to pictures - beautiful countryside!!

Linda said...

Interesting post. I love the hawk!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Red-shouldered Hawk is a handsome bird indeed.

Lea said...

Beautiful Hawk photos!
It has been a long time since I have seen Cattle Egrets here, though there are still lots of cows in the pastures. Love the first photo of the sky and fence - pretty scene!
Have a blessed day!

Hootin Anni said...

What a perfect profile of the R S Hawk!! Exceptional photo
Loved seeing all your birds & going on your day trip. I remember my first sighting of a juvenile blue heron, speckled...I thought something's definitely wrong with it!! LOL

Linking in this week, and sharing is much appreciated. Thanks, and happy birding!
~Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'

Edna B said...

Beautiful photos! Yes, it has been very warm here too. However, today is a bit cooler and quite comfortable. Keep sharing these photos. I love seeing them. Hugs, Edna B.

Debbie said...

i really understand the heat keeping you inside some. that line-up of egrets is amazing to see, i never see them in a group like that!! the pictures of the hawk are really incredible!!

it has been very hot and humid here but today, sunday, it has cooled down some!!

Lowcarb team member said...

I do like the photographs showing the Red Shouldered Hawk.

Enjoy the coming week, I can't believe it will be 1st September on Wednesday!

All the best Jan

Jeannie said...

Yes, it has finally cooled down here (southern middle Tennessee). The edge of Hurricane Ida flew over and even though it is still cloudy and dreary, the temperature has dropped. Normally the hot weather breaks in the middle of September, but this year fall might be early. I am ready for cooler weather.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

Teresa said...

Me encantó tu reportaje de hoy. Aquí hoy refresco bastante hubo una gran tormenta. Besos.

Red Rose Alley said...

Sometimes it's nice to take a drive to see all the interesting things along the way. That was a wonderful sight seeing all those white birds. They really are special. The one splotched bird was unique and unlike all the rest. I love to see the cows too, and often see them at a cow farm when I drive by. Those are splendid photos of the Hawk. Such a grand bird. Isn't that something that you saw him on your neighbor's roof right when you got home. : )

Yes, it's cooled down here in the mountains, and even the pine trees are starting to change in color. I'm anxious to see what happens here.

~Sheri

Becki said...

I wandered in here from Salty Pumpkin's place and scrolling through your pictures, I just want to say Im totally in awe of your shots of the Red Shouldered Hawk. Beautiful!