Saturday, December 18, 2021

Winter in the 'real Florida'


 I know everyone is busy with their holiday fun but it's the perfect time for us to get out on the trails.


So here are a few of our favs from our hikes this week!


Blue Run Park 


White-eyed Vireo


We were SO excited to identify this bird...don't remember ever seeing one before. We have so many Warblers here right now that we thought it was a Warbler but then it didn't have a Warbler beak! lol


This Red-shouldered Hawk had just taken a 'dip' in the river!


Shake shake shake!!!


AAahhhh....that's better!


Little Blue Heron


And some turtles!


Use your imagination! (it's a leaf! lol)

I'm planning to do a post on Monday with some holiday decorations around my house and then I'll take a couple of weeks off. I'm wishing all of my critter and birding friends a very happy holiday! God bless you during this special time! Please try to get out in nature to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. Get some exercise...Breathe...Feel the stress drain away...and HAVE FUN!!!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

47 comments:

Tom said...

...don't over heat!

MadSnapper said...

gorgeous pics and real florida is my favorite,the first one

Lea said...

Great photos!
Have a wonderful weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I enjoyed your walk and nature images. The Vireo photos are awesome. The hawk looks a ruffled and wet. The Little Blues are one of my many favorites. The turtles are so cute. Great photos. Enjoy your break! Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Mae Travels said...

Yes, the less-spoiled parts of Florida are wonderful. Isn't it painful to think about what the beaches were like 150 years ago?

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Beside a babbling brook... said...

I am still getting better, but we are trying to get out a little every day, to smell the fresh air even. It is so helpful.

Today we are expecting snow, so we may not 'get far.' But we can still smell the fresh air, even from under the garage roof. -smile-

Please show us your decorations, before your break.

🎄🌟🔥🎄🔥🌟🎄

RedPat said...

It is snowing here today so all the creatures are hunkered down somewhere. Have a Merry Christmas!

Marcia said...

Some really neat picture especially the turtles balancing out of the water. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

Linda said...

Happy holidays to you and yours, we are getting some snow today, so it might be a white Christmas

Phil Slade said...

You captured the video beautifully there Diane. And the hawk was very accommodating in allowing you to take those portraits. I find that raptors are very nervous and fly off too soon. Stay warm, wish we were. Very foggy here.

Bill said...

Beautiful shots! Enjoy your weekend.

Debbie said...

i have never seen nor heard of a white-eyed vireo, what a beauty!! you took some great shots of the hawk, they are so pretty and i enjoy seeing them, i wish they didn't eat my little song birds!!

the little blue heron is gorgeous, nice and slick!! i will stop by tomorrow BUT merry christmas, just in case i don't!!!

Inger said...

Thank you for your Christmas greeting. I wish you a wonderful time off from blogging, but will miss all your wonderful photos of the real Florida. And you are so right, I would have had no idea that this too is Florida.

carol l mckenna said...

Magnificent feathered friend photography ~ Fun to see the hawk shake dry ~ much better looking ~ LOL `

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and family ~ enjoy your time away from Blog Land ~ Xo

I am a bit behind in commenting ~ Hope to catch up soon ~

Happy Day to you,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

John's Island said...

Hi Lavender Dreamer! Wow, wonderful photos from your walk at Blue Run Park. Your White-eyed Vireo is amazing … just like in one of the birding guide books! Love the Red-shouldered Hawk shaking to dry out! :-) Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a happy week ahead! John

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Thank you for more stunning photos that brighten my day!

BeachGypsy said...

That little wide eyed bird is so cute! Soon as I saw you put "shake shake shake" by the hawk picture my mind went straight to the old song by KC and the Sunshine Band--"shake shake shake shake shake shake your booty shake your booty!!!" ha ha ha LOL Couldnt' resist...I loved all the old KC and the Sunshine Band hits, fun dancing music. Wow, and era so so so far back in the past now........

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Gorgeous pictures of our beautiful Florida wintertime. We are certainly blessed to have such wonderful weather, aren't we? I was happy to get out and walk this morning. I needed the fresh air and it did revive me. Your pictures are wonderful. Thank you, and Have a very Merry Christmas!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Every one of your hikes is amazing. I love the bird photos. xo Laura

Ann said...

So many wonderful sightings. It looks beautiful there too. It's rainy and gloomy here today.

Lowcarb team member said...

Thank you for sharing these lovely photographs, I especially like the Vireo ones, such a lovely looking bird.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

All the best Jan

happyone said...

I like the turtles most of all. :)

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Congratulations on your first White-eyed Vireo, a lovely bird. Enjoy the great outdoors as you always do. There is no better way.

Cloudia said...

Gosh what wonderful images! Thank you for bringing us a bit of Joy my friend ♥️

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

I enjoyed seeing your lovely hike and those great photos of the feathered friends you encountered. The hawk capture is wonderful. Great timing!

Lorrie said...

Lovely hike with great bird photos. Yes, getting out in nature is so important. Wishing you and yours a merry Christmas, Diane. I always look forward to reading your posts.

Linda said...

Great photos! Enjoy your holidays!

Shiju Sugunan said...

Blue Run Park seems to be a nice place for hiking. My favorite among these is the White-eyed Vireo.

My latest post:
https://craniumbolts.blogspot.com/2021/12/few-birds-from-hoskote.html

Jeevan said...

Lovely capture of birds and turtles from the hike! I too, prefer being outdoor during this time of winter and experiencing the cool weather that's only available during this time at my place. Have a great holiday and enjoy the season.

Jenn Jilks said...

Enjoy your time off!
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

Ricki Treleaven said...

The little red shouldered hawk is so cute! I love the photos of him. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Diane!

Rostrose said...

Those were wonderful outdoor activities! And such beautiful bird sightings - you took great photos of the Vireo and the Hawk, so close! Nice also the heron, the turtles and the snail with the pointed house (haha, that came out when I used my imagination on the leave ;-DDD)

I also wish you fun and little stress and a lot of nice time in nature, as well as a good blog break! And that your dream of Italy will come true - maybe 2022, who knows? In any case have cozy Christmas days and a pleasant change into a hopefully great New Year!
All the best, Traude ✨🕯️❣️

Anni said...

A glorious array of beauties Diane!! Love the ruffling of the wet hawk especially. And those white eyed vireos have such a beautiful song...stop and just listen!!

I hope to remember to come back tomorrow to view your holiday at your home. You may have to stop by hootin' anni's to remind me! I need all the reminders I can get these days.

Have a blessed holiday season, be safe and healthy! Thanks for linking in this week.

Debbie said...

i LOVE your new header, i did not notice it yesterday!!

DeniseinVA said...

Great advice Diane, and thank you for these critter photos. Nature is amazing! Enjoy your break and wishing you a Very Happy Holiday season.

Terri D said...

Great pictures for us again!! Thanks for taking us along! Wishin you and yours a very Merry Christmas!! xo

Wally Jones said...

What a wonderful series of terrific Phlorida Photos!

Mid-December, warm, sunshine, blue skies, birds everywhere. We certainly are a blessed bunch of folks!

Doubly blessed as some take the time to share all that beauty with the rest of us!

Gini and I hope your holiday season is filled with peace and nature's joy.

margi said...

Great shots and lovely walk!

Henny Penny said...

Oh your pictures are absolutely beautiful. I love all the birds but I think the wet hawk is my favorite. You're right getting outside. We have been inside all day long because of the wind and blowing rain with this cold front coming through. I finally got my coat and told Dan I was going out with Ellie...he followed with Eli. The walk made us feel so much better. Merry Christmas!

Nancy Chan said...

Enjoyed your nature walk and beautiful critters. Wishing you Merry Christmas and happy New Year. Enjoy your holidays.

Teresa said...

Tus paseos siempre me encantan. Te deseo una felices fiestas y disfruta de tus pasos. Feliz Navidad.

Jeanie said...

Your bird sightings are remarkable. I'd love to be on a FLorida walk with you!

Vee said...

I always enjoy your lovely home. I saw a huge snowy owl highin a tree today, but I am not quick enough with my camera like you!

Adam Jones said...

Lovely images, and really like that Vireo. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Red Rose Alley said...

That's such a pretty photo of the Hawk. He looks so regal after shaking his feathers from taking a dip in the river. That's a great photo of the Blue Heron too. And the yellow birds are so sweet. I just love to see them out in nature. Have a merry Christmas week. ; )

~Sheri

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane, Happy New Year! I always enjoy seeing your photos of nature at it's best. I have seen a White-eyed Virio in the Algarve, but my photos didn't turn out as well as yours, and your's are beautiful, especially the first image. Wow, what a beauty. I enjoyed seeing the images of the Hawk, drying off his feathers, great shots.
Enjoy this New Year with good health, and happy moments of walking the trails.
All the best, hugs from Portugal.

Gillena Cox said...

Happy New Year Diane.
I am hosting The Twelve Days of Christmas at my blog Lunch Break
Will be back at Monday WRites next week

Much🥂love