Friday, November 18, 2022

"A Tall Turkey Tale"

 
We started our hike at the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt trailhead.


I'm calling this a Florida Christmas card!

But we hiked a different trail. When we got to the Arrowhead, we turned left.

 
And then when we got to the point we were planning to turn around, we kept going on an old roadbed to the South.

We went farther down that road than we've ever been before and we saw so much wildlife!


There was an Armadillo digging up a storm and not the least bit bothered by us.


And when we walked away from him, we saw a dozen or more Wild Turkeys down the trail.


They were TALL and chasing each other back and forth across the trail. 


So we had a good sighting but they were so far away, our photos are a little washed out.


It looks like their are some young ones with the flock too!


I think these were talking about US!


It was fun to see so many.


And as soon as they left the trail, a White tailed Deer walked out. 


He looked away from us most of the time but finally looked around.


Then he went back to browsing. 


We heard the Sandhill Cranes overhead and turned our cameras to capture them.


Hubby even had a photo bomb in one of his pics. There's a Buzzard in this photo, going the wrong way!

Lots of other sightings for the day but I'll save those.


I hope you get outside to enjoy nature and maybe even find a spot you've never been before. You just never know what you'll see! Don't turn around TOO soon!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

46 comments:

MadSnapper said...

that tree is awesome! and my 2nd fav is the deer when it looked at you like it was posing. I have never seen a live armadillo, only a few as roadkill on the roads. would love to see one

Tom said...

...these are FABULOUS!!! But no gater???

Teresa said...

Me encantรณ tu paseo con tantos avistamientos, nunca he visto un armadillo en la naturaleza. Un abrazo.

It's me said...

Wowwwww amazing…happy weekend love from me and Leaf ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ’—๐Ÿ€

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, the deer you saw, what a wonderful sight! I never get tired of seeing them. They are special animals for sure. You got some pretty pictures of her, and the one that spoke to me the most was the one where she's on the left of your photo and looking in the distance. Love that one. The Armadillo is such a strange looking one, and those turkeys are too funny. I would see them often in my old town, right in my neighborhood! Yes, they seem to be as curious about us as we are about them. That twisty gnarled tree is beautiful. I'm glad you made a left turn, and found a different trail and got to see some wonderful sights.

~Sheri

*oh, that sweet little bird on your Header is sooooo cute.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Wow! Great pictures!
I bet the turkeys were planning their attack if y'all got closer. Beautiful birds with a cranky side. The leaping deer is holiday card fantastic.

NanaDiana said...

WOW---that tree is fantastic but that Christmas Card is perfect! Love it. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. xo Diana

Ed Rosack said...

That does look like a Florida Christmas card!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

To not turn around too soon is great advice. Your header, by the way, is spectacular.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, these are all so great!! I love every one of them! The deer are my favorites, but I love seeing the turkeys and armadillo too...and of course the cranes flying overhead and that buzzard causing almost a head on collision! LOL. Such a beautiful trail for seeing the REAL Florida that so many miss! Why go to Disney and see fake animals and captive animals, when you can see the real deal out there in our beautiful woods? For free!!!! Love these photos so much. I miss our walks in Salt Springs/Ocala Natl. Forest, but we do have our pond and see some interesting sights here. So thankful for God's creation. Thank you for sharing!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Diane, all your photos could be Christmas cards. My favorite is the one that has the photo bombing buzzard. Happy Thanksgiving!

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely to see your photographs.
What a lovely White-tailed Deer :)

Enjoy your weekend.

All the best Jan

HappyK said...

The turkeys were probably discussing where a good hiding place was till after Thanksgiving. :)
Like the armadillo - have never seen one in person.

Linda said...

WOW!!! You saw some amazing things! My favorite is the photo bomb one! It made me laugh!

Terri D said...

Wonderful sightings and photos for us again!! Thanks for always taking us along on your adventures!! Wow... what a fun hike you had! xo

Irma said...

What beautiful photos.
The deer and armadillo are beautiful.
I think it will make a nice Christmas card.
Greetings Irma

Ann said...

Wow, that's quite a variety of sightings. I never even noticed the buzzard until you mentioned it.

Jeanie said...

I don't think I've ever seen a picture of an armadillo. I'd love to touch one, although it might not like it so much if I did! And the deer photos are beautiful -- there's something about them -- looking rather casual, yet alert, not scared, just aware, and so elegant. Lovely post, Diane.

Wally Jones said...

Taking the path we haven't traveled is a good thing!

Outstanding series of photographs, Diane! You hit the wildlife jackpot. That group of gobblers know Thanksgiving is coming up so were discussing where the safest place to hide in the forest might be.

Loving these cooler days!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
What a great outing, so many wonderful wildlife sightings. The deer are always a favorite for me, they are so darn cute. Love the turkeys and the armadillo. Great shots of the Sandhill Cranes in flight along with the vulture. The tree in the first photo is a beautiful sight. Great photos and post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Phil Slade said...

Wow. You did have a good day. It's as if not many other people have your stamina and perseverance. Armadillo in the wild I would love to see. And Wild Turkey too. Thanks for the Christmas card even if it is a little early.

EricaSta said...

Your walk with this lovely captures could be from a fairy tale, Diane. Most of all I love the deer.

Have a wonderful time.

LA Paylor said...

I'm still shaking my head at the beauty of the deer shots.... how to paint those... the armadillo was about the business of eating... too busy to worry over people.

John's Island said...

Hi Diane, A very good Saturday to you! ๐Ÿ˜Š I love this post! First of all, your first image really does look like one of those expensive Christmas cards one can buy at the store, or on Amazon, for that matter. ๐Ÿ˜Š The Armadillo … goodness sakes. In the evolutionary process they are some sort of winner! And then, Wild Turkeys … do you think they get a bit nervous this time of year? Lastly, hubby’s photo bomb with the buzzard will have me smiling all day! Thank him for me! And thank you for sharing your blog and your very kind comments on mine. I send you a hug from the other end of the country! Take care, my friend! John

Debbie said...

beautiful captures of the deer, they are always my favorite!! had you not mentioned the buzzard, i would not have noticed, it kinda' blended in!!

those turkeys better start high-tailing it, turkey day is getting close!!

have an awesome weekend!!

carol l mckenna said...

Love the 'Christmas Card' ~ and wonderful series of nature shots you have taken ~ Xo

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka(A Creative Harbor)

RedPat said...

These shots are fabulous. What a fun hike you had. I have never seen a wild turkey so would have been thrilled with all of those ones.

Bill said...

What great captures of wildlife you got on your hike. The Christmas card photo is a stunning shot. Have a wonderful weekend.

Mae Travels said...

The colors in your photos are really beautiful. Seeing an armadillo must be entertaining — what a strange creature!

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Vee said...

It's hunting season. I think twice before taking a drive without walking. I really like the colors in your deer photo. It does look like a Florida Christmas card.

Lorrie said...

Love the Florida Christmas card! The colours are perfect. Armadilloes are certainly interesting looking creatures.

Happy Thanksgiving, Diane.

Veronica Lee said...

All your photos make perfect Christmas cards, Diane!

Such glorious sightings!

Hugs and blessings!

magiceye said...

Gorgeous captures!

Inger said...

Thanks for sharing the Florida wildlife. As a fellow train fan, I just wanted to let you know that we are close to the Tehachapi Loop, which is always fun to see both in real life and on the train cams. Sadly, we didn't get any rain from those promising looking clouds. But I'm glad it rained somewhere in So. California.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane :=)

Your Header is fabulous, :=) and all your deer photos are kind of magical, with soft autumn colours, and Christmas Card worthy. I love the moss on that old tree, and how fantastic to see the Turkeys and Especially the Armadillo. I saw one in the nature reserve quite recently but to see one in the wild must be a real treat. Your hubby's photo is great. You defiantly took the right path on your hike Diane, and I have enjoyed every photo.
All the best.

Anni said...

Wild turkeys!!! Soooo perfect for a Thanksgiving week. How lovely. And also...some great additions of Florida's wildlife.

Terrific post as usual. I always enjoy stopping by for a visit. Thank you for linking in.

Lydia C. Lee said...

How amazing!! That's fantastic. Esp the Armadillo!! We don't have them, I'd love to see them. THe turkeys look pretty crazy running around like that - playing or spooked? #SaturdayCritters

Rainbow Evening said...

beautiful views....
love to see Armadillo

Nancy Chan said...

Great photos from your hike. They look like paintings and will make beautiful postcards. The tree in the 2nd photo is very unique.

Rhodesia said...

Wow, I enjoyed that virtual walk with you especially the sighting of the Armadillo.
Keep well and take care, Diane

Linda said...

Lovely pictures! Have a good week.

Violetta said...

I hope these turkeys will not be eaten at Thanksgivin.
Have a good time
Violetta

Jill Harrison said...

I really enjoyed seeing the wild animals you saw on the trail. Thankyou for showing us. And I think the washed out look and the perspective down the trail was perfect. We see kangaroos, and sometimes we something flit across the track - a lizard or a snake..maybe... and birds of course. But a lot of our wild animals we might see here are night time creatures. Wild horses, dingos and wild camels, oh and crocodiles in the north. Enjoy your week, happy trail walking, stay safe, and thankyou for visiting my blog this week to say hi.

BeachGypsy said...

love these pictures and wanted to say happy thanksgiving my friend!! Hugs! love the deer....we now have deer in our yard every single night, they are so fun to see!!

Little Wandering Wren said...

What a fabulous wander with nature all around you at every turn new wildlife to appreciate! Have a great weekend. Wren x

Aunt Helen said...

This was a super hike with your wonderful photos of so many wonderful animals!! I have never seen an Armadillo! Thank you for taking me along on all your hikes. I never would have seen all these great places and so many of Gods beautiful creatures. Love from Aunt Helen