Saturday, July 2, 2022

Can we at least drive out to Pruitt?


 I have all my 'ducks in a row'!


Well, we all know I can't just drive to the trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve without getting out for a short hike.


One lone Cattle Egret greeted me when I got out!


It has been unbearably HOT lately though so you can't stay outside for long.


It may look cool in the shade but it most definitely was NOT!

Doesn't that look like a monster in the trail ahead?


CLOSER!
 

I may have stood in the sun too long and I'm imagining monsters! lol


This looks like an owl! 


The Sandhill Cranes are smart enough to hang out in the shade of the Live Oak Trees.


I saw a Bobwhite walk across the trail in front of me too. He sauntered but I didn't get a good photo of him. Fun to see and watch out in the tall grasses.

Hope we get a break in the heat soon. 


I spotted this Mississippi Kite from my front window and stood in the driveway for the photos.


He was a beauty!


He flew right over my head!


Enjoy your weekend! 

Stay cool and safe! 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

41 comments:

Tom said...

...it's important to have all of your ducks in row.

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

You are brave to go out in that heat. I try to get out early in the morning. You still manage to get great pictures!

Lea said...

I would love to see Sandhill Cranes! Enjoyed your photos.
Shooting off fireworks for the 4th should make it rain to cool us off, at least I hope so!
It has been really hot and dry here.
Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

It has been hot and humid here too, we try to take our walks early in the morning. Great sightings of the Cattle Egret, Sandhill Cranes and the Mississippi Kite. Beautiful photos and I love your header photo. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy 4th of July weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

MadSnapper said...

so true about the shade, it feels good to step under a tree, but not for long. I came home from walking Beau yesterday and told bob I felt like I could cut and carve the humidity with a butter knife. the midday to 3 pm sun is killer and we stay out of it... glad you got a short hike in, to tide you over until weather calms down.

Rajani Rehana said...

Mind blowing pictures

Rajani Rehana said...

Mind blowing pictures

Ed Rosack said...

Great photos of the Mississippi Kite! I'm still looking for my first one.

Billie Jo said...

Your photos are amazing!!!!!!! My favorite? The shot from your Jeep, of all your ducks!!!!

R's Rue said...

Such beautiful photos. Regine
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Vee said...

Great pics! I have not been out in the heat and I saw the monster and the owl, too! So, tell me, how long are you able to saunter/walk/hike out there before you must stop?

Rostrose said...

Dear Diane,
I'm glad it wasn't a real monster you saw! To compensate, there were pretty birds to see. The Mississippi Kite was really a beauty!
In Austria it was also so oppressively hot that the shade no longer felt cool. But tonight there were big storms (not here but nearby) so today was a little cooler, AAAH! Splendid!
Thank you very much for your lovely comments :-) Of course I'll lend you one of my outfits or a colorful scarf if you come to visit! :-D
All the best and have a nice July weekend,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/07/farbtupfer-und-weitere-juni-impressionen.html
PS: Your art journals from the last post look really magical - beautiful small works of art!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The heat would be too much for me.

RedPat said...

I'm impressed that you did even a short hike in that heat.

Terri D said...

Great photos!! It has been hot and even a short walk is too much for me!! LOL Happy 4th of July weekend!!

Barbara said...

Thanks, again, for answering me question about the birds we saw at the cemetery earlier this week. Your photos of the Sand Hill Cranes are better than what I had sent to you, but this is most definitely the same bird.

As for the monster in the road, yeah, that looked pretty scary. It's the heat. It's been getting to all of us!

Bill said...

Beautiful photos! Stay cool in the hot weather.

John's Island said...

Hi Diane, Thank you for taking us along to the trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. I admire the way you are able to get out into the back country so quickly. The shade does look cool, but I hear you on the heat. Yes, I do see the OWL! 😊 Sandhill Cranes … wow, I love the sound those birds make. Neat shots of the Mississippi Kite. Thank you so much for the kind words you left for me on my blog. Always great to hear from you! Wishing you and yours a Happy July 4th! Best regards from Seattle! John

Kathy said...

You always find beautiful birds. Or do they find you? That did look like some creature in the road. I would have been fooled too. It's so hot here too. Stay inside and stay cool.

happyone said...

It does look like an owl. Good eye to spot that.

Cloudia said...

Cool! Wishing you more cool sights and temps 🌈

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I'm glad you at least got out for a drive and a little hike. Yes, it has been way too hot for much walking right now. We try to go either early in the morning or after supper. Tonight's walk wasn't quite as hot as it has been, but the air is very heavy with humidity, which makes it feel hotter. At least we had some rain this afternoon and some overnight. Not nearly enough, but a little bit and it watered my plants for today. Love the Mississippi Kite! They are so beautiful. We had a family of them here a year ago...they stayed in a big old pine tree in the dead top of it, but since then that tree has fallen and is no more...and we've not seen the kites come back here again. I like your "monster" in the road. We had one like that where we walk some time ago too. It sure looked like a monster to me too! Funny the things we see. I'm glad you got to see the Sand Hill Cranes. Ours come and go sporadically now that "Colt" is so grown up and can fly. We miss seeing them so much, but they are off to bigger pastures. Hope you have a blessed and wonderful holiday weekend.

21 Wits said...

How lovely to get out and snap some photos and experience it all up close and personal! Great place you took us to as well!

magiceye said...

Cool captures.

Linda said...

I enjoyed your post. I’m glad that wasn’t an alligator!

Irma said...

These are beautiful photos, the cranes are my favorite.
I am very glad that it is fortunately not so hot here in the Netherlands, then I would really stay indoors.
Greetings Irma

Ann said...

Yes, you definitely have your ducks in a row...lol

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Your photos are great and those cranes are huge! I need to start studying the names of the birds I see- I enjoy bird watching but am not familiar with what I'm seeing.! Good despite the intense heat that you were able to get out a little.

Debbie said...

it was so hot and humid here yesterday, the pool was little comfort. we stayed indoors, i had much paperwork to do!!

you have an awesome imagination, i always see figures in the clouds. your flight shots are wonderful, crisp and clear!! fabulous ducks, that sure is a fun thing to do!!

Jenn Jilks said...

That was a productive visit in terms of sightings! Good work.
(ツ) from Jenn Jilks , ON, Canada!

Bob Bushell said...

I loved the Mississippi Kite, absolutely stunning. Diane, you are a photographer.

Rainbow Evening said...

great experienced ....
thank you to share with us the experienced and beautiful photos...

Have a nice weekend

NatureFootstep said...

the Mississippi Kite is a beautiful bird and you got gorgeous shots of it. We too have hot days, but it seems like you have even hotter then us. Be careful. :)

Lowcarb team member said...

Your weather does sound incredibly hot!
Stay as cool as you can and keep hydrated.

I do like the colouring of the Sandhill Cranes.

All the best Jan

Shiju Sugunan said...

Beautiful pics! I did see the monster LOL

Nancy Chan said...

The shades will give you some comfort when you are out in the hot sun. I usually will come indoor before the sun is up. It is really hot after 2 days without rain.

Veronica Lee said...

I would have been inundated by the heat.

Great sightings, "monsters" included!

The sandhill cranes are beautiful.

Phil Slade said...

You have a good imagination Diane. I can't imagine the heat being so bad, even in the shade - well never in Britain anyway. That Mississippi Kite is beautiful bird and your series of pictures in real cool. Hope you had the aircon on to keep my jeep cool!

Inger said...

That kite was so beautiful, sailing overhead. I'm sorry about the heat. I guess it's humid too? But I'm glad you managed this hike and love that you see mysterious things in nature. I do too and it makes everyting so much more fun, I think.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane, :=) The ducks all in a row, the owl you saw, and the monster lizard, all put a smile on my face, :=) even the lone sweet egret. Beautiful landscape scenes, especially of the trees in the shade.Our weather is much like yours with a few thunderstorms as well, but it never cools off,and I'm keeping indoors.Beautiful Sandhill Cranes, and how fortunate you were to get those brilliant shots of the lovely Mississippi Kite.

Hugs from Portugal, and Happy 4th of July.:=)

Teresa said...

Por aquí también hace muchísimo calor y no se puede pasear. Me gustó todo lo que vistes. Besos.