Saturday, November 27, 2021

The Storks have landed!

 
Hopefully they didn't make any 'deliveries' in our retirement community!


But they sure were a surprise when we got to the bridge over the Withlacoochee River at Blue Run Park.


We'll zoom in!


Wood Storks


We had seen them earlier in the week, high in the sky.


And how nice that these perched on a colorful Maple tree.


We don't have many Fall colors at this time of year so this was a surprise.


It won't freeze here for another month or more. And then we usually just have a few frosty nights.

But we do see some pretty colors at the end of summer.


Only a face that a mother would love?

I love them too!


They stayed in the same spot changing their pose now and then. How nice of them!

Another bird flew in for just ONE photo! 


Belted Kingfisher

And if you think it's too crowded to visit Florida at this time of year when the weather is fabulous....


look at the parking lot at 3 pm when we were getting ready to leave. It surprised us too! Another part of the parking lot had cars though. 


Have you ever seen a Wood Stork?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

42 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I have always loved the Wood Storks, they have one of those cute-ugly faces.
The closeup with the leaves is a pretty view. Great shots of the Wood Stork and awesome capture of the Kingfisher. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend!

Tom said...

...NOPE, this is the first time, thanks!

Mae Travels said...

I love the wood storks in your part of Florida! Great photos.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Jenn Jilks said...

I have never seen one! We are pretty frozen, though, and lakes are freezing up soon.

Ed Rosack said...

Wood Storks might not be "pretty" but they're interesting birds and I always enjoy spotting them. Great photos and I like the touches of color in the trees.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful photos of the Woodstocks and the Kingfisher too ~ Hope you had a great Thanksgiving ~ Xo

Living in the moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

MadSnapper said...

I love storks, the first time I saw them here was in 2006 while I was out with a friend and our new DSLR cameras. she is a bird watcher and when she pointed them out to me i was in love instantly. I love pelicans and vultures because they are ugly and the stork makes three uglies that I just love..

Cloudia said...

Such a pleasure to be with you my dear! Thank you for sharing the beauty

Phil Slade said...

I couldn't work the first photo out. Silly me thought it was a mushroom but My excuse is that I was using my phone. When I clicked on the later pics I saw how well you'd done. I've only ever seen White Stork, the European equivalent.

Bill said...

Never seen one until now. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane,:=) I have never seen a Wood Stork. Your photos, especially the last ones are fantastic,showing great detail in the face and feathers. He's not a handsome fellow, but like you I love his long beak and strange appearance, a face with character! ha ha!!
Have a happy weekend.:=)

RedPat said...

They are such large birds. I have seen them in Florida at the Corkscrew Nature Reserve. Hundreds of them!

Olde Dame Holly said...

The wood stork somehow reminds me a a pelican! Beauties, for sure. I do love them! I have NEVER seen a real one in person. I think they are one of the most fascinating of birds. And that's saying alot!

italiafinlandia said...

Hello, the Storks are lovely, but the Kingfisher is as beautiful. 🙂

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh my goodness - what a nice surprise! I have never seen a stork. They do have interesting features - like something out of a fairy tale! I have seen a kingfisher, though. Amazing to see them. x K

Powell River Books said...

Do storks arrive seasonally? With a face like that I would think it would scare a baby. - Margy

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

How fun seeing the storks! I have never seen one.

Lowcarb team member said...

I haven't seen one.
I did enjoy seeing your photographs.
Have a lovely weekend and a great new week.

All the best Jan

happyone said...

No, I've never seen a wood stork. They are pretty ugly but beautiful in flight.

magiceye said...

Never seen them before. Thanks for sharing.

Terri D said...

I see lots of wood storks on our Lake Morton (bird sanctuary). I'll have to drive over there and see if they are visiting us now. The weather sure has been beautiful!! I loved your photos, as always! xo

Carla from The River said...

Amazing bird, the wood stork.
My friend Deb is traveling to Florida on Monday. She will stay with our friend Bonita for a week.
I know she plans on going to a few trails.

I agree with you, I am decorating less this season too. I need more outside time, that is what I truly love best, is the outdoors.

NanaDiana said...

I don't think I have ever seen a wood stork...but what wonderful pictures!!!
I hope you have a wonderful blessed Sunday, Diane. Hugs- Diana

Irma said...

The storks are beautiful, but the kingfisher is just as beautiful.
Greetings Irma

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The lack of people in the parking area may be a reflection that so many are reluctant to get out and walk. Right after Thanksgiving excess it would probably be a a good thing too. The last Wood Storks I saw were on Cuba during my last visit there. The Zapata Swamp rivals the Everglades for diversity, without all the introduced exotic species.

Vee said...

The storks are uniquely majestic. I've never seen one in person. ☺️

Jeanie said...

Now those wood storks are something for which to be thankful! They're gorgeous!

Debbie said...

awesome captures of the wood stork, i have never seen one. the colored leaves are pretty too, i did not know if you experienced fall colors!! and a beautiful picture of the kingfisher, although we have them here, i have never seen one!!

my son was here so I am late to the party. enjoy your sunday, i hope you had a nice thanksgiving!!

Inger said...

What a great post! While there are many storks in the south of Sweden, there are none in the Stockholm area, where I am from. And I don't think there are any storks in California either, not sure, but will Google. I just learned it's too warm for moose here, even in the high Sierras. So now, let's find out about storks. I actually see very few animals here these days, because of the drought, I believe.

Edna B said...

No, I've never seen a wood stork. They really are quite beautiful. These are gorgeous photos. I miss my trips to Florida. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Yvonne said...

I've never seen a wood stork or belted kingfisher, but your photos are pretty amazing. Thank you for always stopping by my blog and leaving an appreciated comment. Have a happy Sunday.

Ann said...

What a nice surprise to see the storks.
I wish all we got here was a frost. It's been snowing here off and on all day.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Nice pictures. Takes a bit of focusing to figure out where the face is. In one photo bottom right, there's a little face made by white maple leaves.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Wonderful pictures! Yes, we have seen one wood stork here at our pond. At first I wasn't sure what it was with that face that only a mother could love...but someone told me right away it was a wood stork. He hung around for a little while, and then flew away, and I've never seen another one here. Maybe it's time for them to return? I'll keep watching. Love the maple tree. Yes, there is a lot of pretty color out there in places now, especially wherever you can find maple trees. Thanks for sharing with us. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Linda said...

How interesting to see wood storks! Have a good week.

Lorrie said...

I have never seen a wood stork, what long beaks they have. Kingfishers are hard to capture on film, great job on the image you took. (I say film, but we don't use it any more!) Have a great week, Diane.

Nancy Chan said...

This is my first time seeing a wood stork. I would be very excited if I get to see one here.

Hootin Anni said...

Awesome sighting!! Aren't they terrific? And stunning photos Diane.

My Santa legs are "revealed" today. Have a wonderful week.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh yeah!! I have a Stork family portrait on my photo gallery wall, that's how much I love them too ))) (but they do fall under the category 'so ugly they're cute!'). And yeeeks, no deliveries please!!!

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Yes!! I have seen a Wood Stork- in fact I've seen a group of them in a pond off of the intracoastal where I live in South Miami. I've only seen them once- and I ran home immediately to try to identify those large birds and did realize they were word storks.

Teresa said...

Fue un lindo paseo. Por aquí hay bastantes cigüeñas, pero son distintas a esas. Besos.

NatureFootstep said...

I have seen this stork in one of my travels. It is the ugliest bird I have seen when it comes to the head. Such a difference to the beautiful body.