Saturday, April 9, 2022

AAARGH!!! We've run her AGROUND!!!

 
When you leave the house and get out in the big world, you just never know WHAT you'll see!


For those of us living in Florida, this is especially true.


Dolphins in the water

When we drove out to hike the Withlacoochee Bay Trail we spotted this from the observation deck looking out at the Gulf of Mexico.


This photo alone could inspire me to write a story, or at least talk like a pirate! hahaha!


I don't know anything else about it except that we were there at low tide and it was definitely stuck on a sand bar. Oh but the yarns we could weave about the Strider from Amelia Island!


But it's time to take photos of the birds and see what else we can see on this 2 hour hike!


Black Skimmers


Black Skimmers


Bald Eagle


Another HUGE Eagle!


 Juvenile Eagle

For some reason we don't think these birds are quite as 'elegant'!


Black Vulture


Black Vulture


Turkey Vulture

Hubby took these photos and they are so good (and I didn't take any vulture photos!) He also gets credit for the hummingbird at the end of the post!

On the drive over we saw Cattle Egrets and several Sandhill Cranes in a low marshy area (no photos) and when we got to the trailhead to park, we saw this wild Turkey!


Lots of beautiful flowers in bloom


Gulf Fritillary Butterfly on Verbena


and a Great Southern White butterfly!

The very last thing we saw on the hike was a hummingbird feeding from Coral Honeysuckle.


Amazing! 🌴

What was your favorite? Know any pirate quotes?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 


45 comments:

MadSnapper said...

they are all so beautiful. the hummer is like its moving almost 3d. we have seen several sailboats like this one, some have been there for years. this one is in good shape so might not have know about gulf waters, since it it if from the Atlantic. I don't think it will float again and still trying to think how they got it there in the first place..

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

You and your husband take awesome nature and wildlife photos. I hope the sailboat is not damaged. It is wonderful to watch the dolphins. Great captures of the Black Skimmers and the Eagles. The Vultures are cool, I love seeing all the birds. The Hummer photo is gorgeous. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

Teresa said...

Fue un precioso paseo, me encanta todo lo que he visto, un gran reportaje. Besos.

Irma said...

What a wonderful series of photos.
That sailboat is really unlucky.
Photo 9 is my favorite.
Greetings Irma

Billie Jo said...

I am always amazed at the stunning photos you share! So much interesting and beautiful wildlife! Ok. Maybe not the vultures! Thanks for sharing your world. Have a cozy weekend, my friend.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

All the photos are beauties. The humming bird is a memorable photo.

Mae Travels said...

Great bird photos!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Phil Slade said...

That was a great day out Diane. Those beautiful blue skies, the skimmers and of course the wonderful Bald Eagle. And, I like vultures! As for the stranded bot, well I guess the owners get quite used to it when there are low tides. Have a great Sunday.

Penelope Notes said...

The hummingbird photo is a charmer. Haha … didn’t most of us think when we were kids that being a pirate would be so much fun!!?

Tom said...

...I'm sorry to see that your boat, The Strider" ran aground and I was looking forward to a gator or two!

Barbara said...

That photo of the hummingbird's bill buried into the long neck of the flower is interesting. Our Creator God knew to give the little birdie what he needed to get his supper!

Bill said...

A wonderful series of beautiful photos. The hummingbird is a beauty as are the photos of the eagle. The owner of the boat won't be happy when he sees it in the current state. Thanks for sharing all your photos and have a very good weekend.

Billy Blue Eyes said...

I thought it was your boat to start with though it looks like your right the tide went out. Good selection of wildlife you saw

Lowcarb team member said...

You never know what you may see on a hike :)
Beautiful photographs on your post here, especially the eagle and the hummingbird.

Enjoy your weekend.

All the best Jan

carol l mckenna said...

Oh your photos and hubby's are all fantastic ~ no favorite ~ like them all ~ so creative ~ Xo

Wishing you love and laughter in your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

RedPat said...

The Hummer shot is wonderful. I always enjoy the hikes that you take us along on.

Marcia said...

I imagine once the tide turns the sailboat will be fine. Wonder when the hummingbirds will make it here. I guess I should check the map.

Villrose said...

My favorite is no doubt the feeding hummingbird!

Ann said...

Wow, you really saw a lot on your hike. All of these photos are absolutely wonderful.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

What great photos! Wow! You saw some good stuff!! Love the eagles, the hummer, butterflies, etc, etc, and that boat aground...yep, I bet they said a few pirate words. "People are what are scary...people". Blackbeard the Pirate.

Terri D said...

Absolutely amazing photos. Wow!

magiceye said...

Delightful captures all but the eagle portrait is my favourite!

Linda said...

I am LOVING the train web cam!!!! Thank you! THANK you!!!

Hootin Anni said...

I've heard of being a stick in the mud, but being STUCK in the mud at low tide is a whole new thing for me, even if I do live on the coast.
Loved seeing all your birds Diane!!

Thanks for taking time to link in and share your birding expertise with us. Great photos!!
~Anni @I'd Rather B Birdin'

David M. Gascoigne, said...

You say that when you get out into the wide world you never know what you might see, and that is especially true for those who live in Florida. I am curious to know why you think that is especially true in Florida. More so than Thailand, for example, or Queensland, or Montana, or Montreal, or in the highlands of Scotland.......

Inger said...

The eagle is my favorite. He looks so majestic, as if he knows he's representing the United States, the American Bird.

Wally Jones said...

Just poring over all your wonderful images makes me feel better! I can feel the sun, hear the gulls, smell the fresh salt air. Florida!

My favorite photos are the skimmers and the vultures.

The first pirate quote which came to mind is when Captain Henry Morgan had just divided up the results of a looting in Cuba among his men. Each of the crew received 20 gold pieces in a leather pouch. In an effort to boost morale, Capt. Morgan shouted: "Raise your pouches, men and shake your booty!"

I understand his rallying cry was made into some sort of song in recent years.

Arrrr, Matey, sorry about all that!

Have a great new week, Diane!

NanaDiana said...

Oh! That boat!!! I got stuck one time in Lake Okeechobee one time and we had to walk the boat from a sand bar back to the boating channel. It was an all day job because you sank in silt up to your knees with every step. It was pretty scary. I am a boat jinx! Ask anyone!
Lovely pictures of the birds, Diane. xo Diana

Revrunner said...

Your photo reminded me of the cargo ship still stuck on a sandbar in the Chesapeake Bay. :-)

Penny Carlson said...

How beautiful! I love all of the pictures. The bald eagle and hummingbird are my favorites.

Debbie said...

what a great variety of wildlife and beauty today!! we see a lot of dolphins here, and they are often quite close to the shoreline. i really enjoyed seeing the butterflies and the hummingbird!! but the biggest treat for me today was seeing the bald eagle, what a beauty...oh and you too!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I just left a comment but under an old google account....sorry Anyway loved the bald eagle and hummingbird photos!

21 Wits said...

Oh my boats and water and deep rich blue waters at that and weather to write home about! Lucky, lucky you. Enjoy it all and have a wonderful week ahead take care!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane,:=)

I see you chose hubby's photo of the hummingbird for your header too, it really is lovely. It was a great outing, with a blue sky, and so much to see. All the bird images are fantastic. The Vultures and Bald Eagle are beautiful images. OK, the vultures are not pretty, but the images are great. The Black Vulture is new to me and the Gulf Fritillary. How exciting to see the Dolphin, and the boat. I feel sorry for the owners of the boat, there is a mystery for you to try and solve Diane. Get your Deer Stalker hat out Diane, ha ha!!Great capture of the Black Skimmers,...it could not have been a better day! Lovely post.
All the best, hugs.

Bob Bushell said...

The Black Skimmers are a beautiful and Vulture's are to flying, brilliant.

Carla from The River said...

WOW! What happens if they can not get the boat out? Do the Coast Guard have to come help?

The photos of the Black Vulture would be perfect for a Halloween Card.

NatureFootstep said...

love the Black Skimmers even if I never have seen any. But really want to.
Love the hummingbird to. But that one I think I have seen.

Low tide, yes that can leave boats stuck on sand. :)

Creations By Cindy said...

You always get the most amazing pictures on your outings. I love it! You are so right girl...one never knows what they will see in Florida. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Tanza Erlambang said...

enjoy life with wonderful sceneries ....

Have a great weekend

Yvonne said...

Interesting day at the beach. The hummingbird photo is a treasure.

Nancy Chan said...

If I see a dolphin I will get excited. You live in an interesting place. My favourite will be the huge eagle. Have a great week.

Lorrie said...

The hummingbird photo is gorgeous. What a great shot! When I read the title of your post, I thought that something had happened to your red Jeep!

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

I really enjoyed todays photos, especially the sailboat. You look gorgeous as usual!!

Linda said...

I'd hate to run a boat aground!

My Tata's Cottage said...

Pretty birds especially the bald eagle. Love all the photos. Take care and nice to see you here.