Birds and Birdhouses

 

Ross Prairie State Forest is a great place to visit to see birds and wildlife. It's just West of Ocala on SR 200.

On this particular hike, I took the time to take photos of all the birdhouses I could find.

They are placed all over the forest and I almost missed this one!

It looks like something a fairy would inhabit!

I didn't see birds nesting on this hike but maybe we'll see some the next time we hike there.

These are some of the small birds we've seen this week.

Northern Parula

A good view of the back of the Northern Parula pulling on the Spanish Moss, perhaps to line a nest.

Carolina Chickadee

Raven (or crow)

He had one white feather sticking out of his side!

Warbler

It can be hard to spot some of the tiny birds!

And did I find a fairy in the forest? Well, of course! 

You just never know what you'll see in the woods. I hope you find a special place to walk in the woods. It's the best place to enjoy a hike!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

"Wildflowers and Woodpeckers"

 

I had planned a Wildflower post for April but when I looked at the photos I've taken this week, I decided to sneak the Woodpeckers in, too!

There has been terrible flooding in other parts of Florida but we haven't had any rain in our neck of the woods.

Passion flower

But the wildflowers are putting on a show in the forest!

The Passion flower is in full bloom at the hwy 484 trailhead.

And I also saw Red-headed Woodpeckers for the first time this Spring in that part of the Greenway. (Florida Trails West)

I was thrilled to see 2 of these beauties but they were quite a distance.

So I zoomed and cropped to get a better look at them.

Their heads look like velvet, don't they?

Pretty Pawpaws in the woods. 

Florida Pawpaw

They are showy and easy to spot!

And a regal Pileated Woodpecker on a pine tree. Hubby took the amazing photos of the Pileated!

It's a great time to be out in nature with so many wildflowers in bloom. And the wildflower attract butterflies.

Gulf Fritillary on Butterfly weed

There's so much beauty in the world around us and there's never been a better time to get out in nature!

Have you seen signs of Spring where you live? Our butterflies arrived before the wildflowers bloomed. They have been flitting around for a month already!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Red-shouldered Hawks, all grown up!

 

We've had the fun of watching the Red-shouldered Hawks grow up at Blue Run Park.

And something about the lighting gave us some of the best Hawk photos that we've taken!

I loved the background in each and every one of these.

And this Hawk was intent in watching for a 'catch' down below and gave us some neat poses.

I just have to bring out an old photo though! 

We watched this nest of Red-shouldered Hawks a few years ago and this is one of the babies.

They are all grown up now and we still see hawks on the limbs of this same tree or nearby.

When we hike this trail, our eyes are usually drawn to the Rainbow River that runs to the North of the trail. But today our best sightings were in the swamp.

This Great White Egret put on a show.

Walking along a log with his long 'toes' guiding him

He was fun to watch. 

Nature is always entertaining if you get out on the trails and take the time to look at the beauty that surrounds you.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Thanks to everyone that has taken the time to view the Ocala's Good Life magazine article about our hikes. My friend told me yesterday that it was my 15 minutes of fame. I'm trying to get 15 more minutes this week! lol 

Enjoy our article in Ocala's Good Life magazine HERE.

Open trails with Big views!

 As much as I like to hike the side trails through the forest, the open trails can give you views of the sky.

Bald Eagle

Even then, you only get a glimpse of some of the big birds that fly overhead.

I was fortunate to see this Eagle a few days ago.

But only managed 2 photos before he was out of my view.

Florida Pawpaws in bloom along the trails now too!

While hiking with a friend this Northern Harrier flew across the trail and landed in a tree nearby.

Northern Harrier

But he didn't stay long! So again I only got 2 good photos.

Look at the tuft of white feathers on the back of his head!

I got ONE photo of this Sharp-shinned Hawk on the same day that I saw the Eagle.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Another beautiful Hawk that flew across the trail and stopped to observe US! 

Take your TIME....look around!

And no matter what....don't give up! 

The photo above might turn out to be your best sighting! 

Photos all taken on hikes along the Majorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’ 

 and Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Have a beautiful Spring weekend! And here's the link to the Ocala's Good Life magazine again! Did you miss reading this article? 

     

Enjoy our article in Ocala's Good Life magazine HERE.