Saturday, January 29, 2022

Princess Pocohantas Parkway?


 Do we have time to turn at the pink elephant to explore the parkway? 


No, not this time! It's my birthday day trip! 


I wonder how many more posts I can do for my January birthday?


All of January? lol

But I had my choice of places to go and I chose to drive back out to the Gulf Coast and hike on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail.

It's become my favorite getaway now! I don't think anyone got my invitation! 


And we had weather in the 70s that day. We've had a week of colder temps so I was happy to have a beautiful day for this little trip. I mean it was only 60 when I hiked a couple of days ago! lol


I don't know how many banners I need! 

So here's some of what we saw. One of the highlights of the day was seeing a dolphin coming all the way out of the water...twice! But the photos of that didn't come out good. Too much excitement!


Cormorant


Spotted Sandpiper


A really LONG garter snake! (possibly an Eastern Ribbonsnake)


Red Admiral Butterfly (the first one we've seen)


A beautiful Eagle flying overhead....


and a Juvenile Eagle, too.


A Mockingbird (thanks Wally J. for help with the ID!), it never made a sound so I just couldn't understand a mockingbird that didn't 'mock'! 


So our plans for the day weren't exactly plan A but very close! And we'll save a trip down Princess Pocohantas Parkway for another day!

Have you had a good week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

49 comments:

Marcia said...

You have been stretching out your celebration. Looking forward when we can do more outings. Winter really not the best time here in NH for hiking!

Rostrose said...

Oh, happy belated birthday! <3 <3 <3
Your day trip looks very successful - nice weather, beautiful surroundings, lots of animal sightings. And even if you don't have a good photo of the dolphin, you will remember the sight and remember it with joy :-)
All the best after my blog break!
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/01/blogpause-beendet.html

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

What a great birthday outing. Beautiful scenery and I love all the birds, butterfly and the snake. The Spotted Sandpiper is adorable. Great Eagle photos. All you photos are beautiful. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

MadSnapper said...

that garter is really big for a garter snake, great shot. now i am dying to see that parkway. you have a couple more birthday days and Feb will hit with valentines day, our anniversary and both my sons birthday and one sons anniversary. Feb is The Month with Oct being the month for my hubby, DIL and SIL

Martha said...

I love the little pink elephant and of course the rest of your photos are fantastic too. Enjoy what's left of your birthday month and stay warm out there today!

MadSnapper said...

I just tried to find Princess Pocahonta Pky and there is none on the maps. phooey

Tom said...

...my, how things look different down there!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Looks like a great place to hike.

NanaDiana said...

I love that you get so much out of your birthday month. As a kid, I always felt kind of cheated because my birthday was close to Christmas and just got kind of glassed over. lol
What a great park. I can see why it's your favorite. It's beautiful. Great pictures as always ..and looks like you have a couple more days to celebrate! xo Diana

Caroline said...

Beautiful photos. It's a long snake. Happy weekend !

Kim said...

Sounds like you're really enjoying your birth month!

carol l mckenna said...

Good to see all your lovely photos as I sit and look out my window of 'blizzard conditions' in MA ~ Happy Birthday to you and lots more ~ healthy and happy ones ~ Xo

Wishing you lots of love in your day,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Phil Slade said...

Wow. That garter snake is so long. I wonder if it's because it's older than the average one? There I go again, asking too many questions.

And about that Jeep. It's too big. You should donate it to someone who really needs it.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

That looks like the perfect way to celebrate your birthday. How nice to have such warm weather to enjoy your hikes. Have a nice weekend.

21 Wits said...

Well Happy Birthday to you. What a group of lovely photos and amazing outings. Enjoy your weekend.

Lea said...

Great photos!
Have a wonderful weekend!

RedPat said...

You are lucky to be able to get out and about for hikes. It has been so cold here this week that even the birds are hiding.

Bill said...

Beautiful photos and some great sightings. Enjoy your final birthday weekend. :)

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane, Haven't you done a birthday post before? Ha ha, :=) Well I guess If you can celebrate your birthday month, all the better. You did see some fantastic creatures. The eagle images are first class,and the snake, but it gives me the creeps. All great sightings.
Have a happy weekend.

Ed Rosack said...

I think since it's your blog, you can celebrate as long as you want to - happy birthday!

Great selection of photos - I enjoyed your post!

Jenn Jilks said...

That is fun seeing dolphins. I went whale watching in Tofino, a few years ago. It was amazing. There were 7 in a row, swimming side by side. They were sleeping and would all come up at once and go down again.

Ricki Treleaven said...

Pink elephants! Now don't be drinking and driving that cute red Jeep!!! LOL I love these photos, but you seem to be too close to the snake....

Vee said...

Wonderful getting your birthday's worth out of the celebration! The way I have it figured, the party 🎉 🎈 🎊 is over February 1. The birthday 🎂 party that is. You don't need a birthday to party. Goodness the cold has sunk way down there, hasn't it?

Bob Bushell said...

A great treat going to the park, with the Cormorant, snake, and the raptors. Beautiful party.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Looks like you've made the most of your birthday month and you've seen a lot of wonderful Florida beauty. But I am curious about the Princess Pocahantas Pkway and the Pink Elephant! Not sure of the significance of that! You must go check it out and let us know! Love the photos...always love to see an eagle...that's such a treat! Everything was great, even the snake. Those are the harmless good kinds so we don't mind seeing them!! Happy Birthday all month long!

Debbie said...

you can have a birthday "month", it's a thing now!! awesome images and great sightings but for me the eagle stole the show!!

have a wonderful weekend, we are digging out from 19 inches of snow!!

Jeanie said...

I'm glad your weather is warming up. You know you have a climate issue when your temps are almost the same as ours!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Happier Birthday!
lol. The pictures have so much sun, it is good to see.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am especially attracted to the flight shots of the Bald Eagle. Well done!

Susie said...

Well Happy Birthday month pretty girl. My Twins bday is Jan. they wanted it to last a month also. LOL Do not tie anything up with that ribbonsnake. It sure did look long. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

happyone said...

Beautiful photos but my favorite has to be the eagle. Fabulous.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

The pink elephant is so cute and I must say unexpected! Fun times celebrating your birthday along with great photos. Love the eagles.

Terri D said...

Great photos!! The eagle is so gorgeous! That snake is really pretty and I've not heard of ribbonsnake! You still have a couple more days to celebrate in your birthday month!! Enjoy!! xo

Shiju Sugunan said...

Happy birthday! Really beautiful pictures.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Such a treat to see an Eagle.. Happy Birthday and thanks for sharing all the beautiful pics.

Connie said...

I love the fact that you're spreading your birthday celebration out through the whole month. I enjoyed all of your photos, wait a minute, maybe not the snake I have a total fear of snakes. Again happy birthday!

Linda said...

Happy birthday! I'd like to get some good eagle pictures like those.

magiceye said...

All lovely captures!

Belated Happy birthday!

Anni said...

Except for that nasty snake, a lovely day celebration!!
It's always a pleasure visiting from your link shared. Thanks. And happy birding! (And happy birthday month!)

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Happy Birthday!

Love that pink elephant!!!!!!

I do have sunlight streaming in, up here in North Land. But we still have very cold weather. It's the cold, which is getting to me. LOL

But I should not grumble any more, on this topic. In a few months, I will be bemoaning the awful heat!!!!! -grin-

🌲⛄🏠🔥🏠⛄🌲

Edna B said...

Simply awesome bird photos. Thank you. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

Ann said...

I definitely think the entire month should be celebrated for your birthday. Wonderful photos as usual.

Lorrie said...

I think you should definitely celebrate all month! There's only one day left. Great birds photos, but I did hurry by one of the above ones - hate, hate, hate those slithery things. Enjoy the cooler weather!

Wally Jones said...

Salt air, birds, blooms, snakes, elephants, BBQ.

Now THAT'S the way to celebrate a birthday!

Icing on your cake for us - you shared it all!

Lowcarb team member said...

What a super birthday outing.
Lovely to see your photographs.

All the best Jan

Teresa said...

A mí me ha encantado tu paseo y veo que estabas feliz. Besos.

Red Rose Alley said...

Love that little pink elephant at the entrance of the trail. You had a wonderful birthday hike. And the special gift of seeing the soaring Eagle. I like the name of the trail, Princess Pocohantas. One of my favorite Disney movies. ; )

Have a pleasant week, Diane.

~Sheri

NatureFootstep said...

you have such good places to go. I am glad to follow your steps. :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Everything is so pretty in your neck of the woods -- through your camera plan a, plan B, no plan at all turns out wonderful.