Well, there are fishing tales and there are hiking stories. This may be more than one tale if you get all the way to the end.
And since it's the first time I've told it, it hasn't had a chance to grow.
I have been known to 'zaggerate' from time to time. (Southern for exaggerate)
But this really is how it went.
We drove to the Gulf Coast and when we got on the dusty road to Withlacoochee Bay Trail, we saw an Eagle.
We hiked and saw a lot of neat birds and butterflies but we'll skip right over those for now.
It's time to eat egg salad sandwiches in the Jeep.
Hardly anyone there and no one is parked near us so we are relaxing with the windows down.
A BIG bird flies onto a limb that we can see to one side of the Jeep. Another big bird flies in crying like a Hawk.
They sit still for a few minutes and then the crying Hawk makes an aggressive move and the big bird flies right in front of the Jeep, face forward.
And it's a Barred Owl in all it's beauty.
The Hawk that scared it away.
I threw down my egg salad sandwich and got out to take pics of the Hawk. The Owl has flown away.
Another Hawk flies in and perches nearby.
We finish our sandwiches and get out to walk to the observation deck. At this time I could have said, "Let's get out so that we can see 100 White Pelicans overhead."
Because that's what we saw between the Jeep and the deck.
I cropped a few photos to get a better look at them.
We also watched this fisherman catch a really big Catfish with a teeny tiny fishing rod. His son had left it in the water when his wife and son went to the store.
So he let the Catfish swim and tire himself out and then he pulled it in.
In the water
On the bank
Catch of the day!
Amazing! A truly amazing trip to the Gulf of Mexico. (more pics to come)
The owl was huge, the two hawks were very vocal and the Catfish was the 'catch of the day'.
No need to 'zaggerate'!
The flock of White Pelicans may be over 100 the next time I tell it though!
I thought these were Wood Storks but Eileen said something about mistaking them for White Pelicans and now I think they ARE White Pelicans. If anyone has a positive ID, please let me know!
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51 comments:
...ah, to have catfish and hushpuppies!
i am guilty of southern zaggerating myself, it seems the longer it has been since the unfolding of the tale, the bigger it gets. Like that catfish might be a whale the next time you tell it. LOL... it was a really fun trip and sorry you missed the owl photos. they are hard to find in the day time. daddy loved catfish and hushpuppppies, not me. that was a big fish to catch on the tiny ride.
Diane, Ted and his fishing group used to call the "zaggerating"... "first liar doesn't have a chance". That is why pictures tell it right. Loved seeing what you saw. Amazing day. Blessings, xoxo,love, Susie
What an eventful day out in the wilds of Florida! No need to 'zaggerate' at all! Thanks for sharing what you saw out there.
What beautiful pictures of the owl and the bald eagle.
The fisherman caught a really big fish.
Greetings Irma
What a wonderful day! I had fun being with you thankswhat a wonderful day! I had fun being with you. Thanks!
Love this post! What a time y'all had bird watching. I was expecting a bird to swoop in after your sandwich. lol
Fantastic photos! And what a marvelous experience! I especially love the one with the wings spread -- that should be enlarged big and displayed. It's absolutely fantastic, Diane.
Well I counted them and there are over a hundred so go ahead and tell the truth. 😊 What an exciting day on the trail.
it's a great story!! but don't ever let the truth get in the way of a good story!! i enjoyed your pictures, especially the eagle!!
The picture of the hawk is amazing.
Love the tree in the second picture!!
Wow! What a bird tale and a Fish tale! They were both wonderful stories and I believe you! Yeah, I thought the bird was going to get your lunch too! LOL. What a great day. I've never seen so many wood storks before...that is amazing! And that eagle is gorgeous. You really hit the jackpot!
Great photos, looks like you're having a wonderful time:)
WOW!! My favorite is the eagle but what wonderful photos and to experience the hawk chasing the owl... and now I want an egg salad sandwich!!
Eagle is our football team's symbol. :)
Wow, that was some day. Love all the pictures but the one with the hawks wings out is awesome.
Hello Daine,
Wow, you had some great bird sightings on your outing. I loved the Bald Eagle, the Barred owl and the Hawks. I would have mistaken your Wood Storks for White Pelicans. I enjoyed your story and the post and awesome photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Oh awesome photos ~ especially like the owl and hawk too ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Truly an exciting day. I was thrilled when you revealed the big bird was an owl. I've yet to see one in the wild.. An eagle and an owl in one trip- incredible. I wish I could capture good photos but I seem to only be good (somewhat) at closeups and still shots. We see lots of pelicans on the beach and flying near our 15th story balcony on their way (somewhere) . Loved your post.
Tus fotografías están preciosas, me encantan las aves y las hay preciosas en tus fotos. Besos.
That's a super nice day out Diane. It's not often I see a hawk and an owl on the same day never mind the two having a ding dong. With those blue skies and sunshine I'm on my way. Make sure the Jeep is full of gas for me.
Great captures of nature among your Saturday's Critters, and the leaning tree what a gorgeous sight as well. Enjoy your weekend and extra hour of sleep with daylight savings time. Take care.
That was quite a day for you. A day to remember.
What a great day. And to have that drama happen overhead is amazing. Lucy you!
Hello Diane :=)
An exceptional day out, and exceptional photos. Sitting quietly in the car is sometimes when you see the most beautiful creatures. I enjoyed your fun narrative, and The Bald Eagle, Hawk, and Barred owl captures, and also the Pelican fly over in a fabulous blue sky.
All the best.
Absolutely stunning Diane, I love the Bald Eagle and Barred Owl, excellent.
What a wonderful day you had and great photos to remember this day forever.
What a lovely day out you had, great photographs you've shared.
All the best Jan
yes, owl is a beautiful bird... love it.
thank you to show a fisherman with his catches... interesting.
Hello Diane !!
Wow and OMG! What great photos of the Bald Eagle, the Barred owl, and the Hawks. Neat story about the catfish too! I suggest you submit that pic of the Hawk in your 6th image to Wikipedia or something. Wow! I hear you about throwing down the egg salad sandwich, and the photos are worth it! 😊 I sure enjoy your posts! Thank you for sharing and for your kind comments on my blog. I send you best wishes from Seattle!
John
Fantastic day! I enjoyed your story.
Fascinating captures!
Extraordinary tale!! And awesome photos Diane. If it were me there, I wouldn't want to go home.
Have a super week ahead, happy birding and thanks for linking in.
Some great photos!! The eagle is just fantastic!!
Have a happy Sunday...
Titti
Delightful story, Diane. And I wish that Hawk didn't scare away the Owl, as I would have loved to seen it. They are special birds, and the Hawks are grand as well. I loved the Eagle photo, its terrific! And the Hawk in flight is beautiful.
Have a restful Sunday and good week ahead.
~Sheri
This was a true adventure! Great pictures and story-telling, with or without the "zaggeration"!!
Good evening Diane, you could see me smile, if you would be here. I admire your Serie of captures... they are fantastisc again. And I must smile about zaggerate, I understood.
Happy MosaicMonday have a wonderful week
That was a wonderful outing and I love the photos of the owl, hawk, pelicans and catfish. I love your story. Have a good week.
I always enjoy looking at your photos of your hikes. I love the pretty birds in the sky and the water. Enjoy your hikes this week Diane.
Eagles, hawks, owls, pelicans, fish.
All that is enough to make me wish I was a Floridian. Oh - wait - I ARE one! :)
Terrific photographs and fishing tale, Diane!
I love it, what a perfect day and no 'zaggeration' about it.
xx oo
Carla
Wowza, wow, wow, Diane! You fortunate woman!
I love barred owls....they are one of my favorite birds! When I read your title, I thought: I didn't know Diane enjoyed fishing! ;P
capturing birds in trees are not easy. But oftem there are no choise if you want a photo to remember with :) Nice shots.
Wow! It is all happening in your part of the world, Diane.
Amalia
xo
You really were birdin this day! Great photos! I had never seen a catfish before! So neat! You will have a few days of no hiking now, as we expect the hurricane winds and rain. Enjoy your days of togetherness with Hubby! Love, Aunt Helen
Sounds like an amazing day out in the wild!
Love the photos, especially the owl and eagle shots. 🦉
Hugs and blessings 💐
Fabulous hawk photos! We play a "game" when traveling of spotting hawks along the way and assigning points according to what the hawk is doing. (ha ha... no winner or loser, just fun watching for these gorgeous birds.)
I loved seeing all the raptors in your post, Diane! I also enjoyed seeing the fisherman's catfish catch. My Dad was an avid fisherman and we ate a lot of fish growing up, including catfish--so good beaded on cornmeal and fried!
Wow, Diane - what a tall (mostly true) tale!!! I was stunned by the beauty of the 100 pelicans! Gorgeous photos! Have a super weekend!
I`m late ... nevertheless, I admire the Mosaic here. It`s simply stunning in the nature around.
Thank you, being part of MosaicMonday
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