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!
44 comments:
...I bet that Spanish moss makes a cushy next! The first birdhouse blends in well with its surroundings. Have a super weekend.
it does look like a fairy bird house and the fairy must live in that other tree. LOL.. love the yellow warbler
Lovely post as always!! Love the rustic birdhouse. Have a grand weekend!!
The birds and birdhouses look amazing. Your pictures really capture the beauty of nature. Thank you!
A few houses ago, I decorated my home with hand-painted birdhouses, purely for design, not for occupancy. I like the way the house you featured is snugged up against an old tree trunk. Very attractive.
Carolina Chickadee is truly a cutie. I don't get to see that here
Como siempre me encantó tu paseo, los pájaros que vistes son preciosos. Un abrazo.
Like the bird house and all your photos are a joy to see.
I have a whole big woods to walk in at Happy Trails!! :)
What fun to find so many birdhouses in the wild. What a great idea! Always lovely photos!! Thanks!!
We are not experienced birders like you and Hootin Anni!
Still, we enjoy seeing our birds here at home and at the ranch.
I am happy to say that all our bird houses are occupied as I write tonight.
We keep several feeders full for the birds and hummingbird feeders are filled and hung....
Always love seeing what YOU see!
What beautiful photos these are.
The Northern Parula is my favourite, this species does not occur here.
Greetings Irma
I love that birdhouse and it does look like a fairy home. Maybe that one you found in the tree lives there :)
Cute little birdhouses and how fun to find them all on your walk. Your shots of the birds are so clear and beautiful and I love that you identify them (so I can learn the names). The little fairy was perfect ending for the post.
Hello,
The birdhouse does look like a good home for the fairy. It is nice that the park has provided the birdhouses. Love the Northern Parula and the Palm Warbler. The Chickadee is a cutie. Great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Nice area! I love whimsical birdhouses well placed. I also like the angel that you found.
That black bird is definitely a crow not a raven, but in Florida both American Crow and Fish Crow occur, so I am not sure which species you are showing us here. If you hear them vocalize they are easy to tell apart.
Love the fairy! ;) :)
Love the fairy. ;) :)
That's so cool that they've put the birdhouses (and the little fairy) around the trail in these beautiful woods. They are a perfect addition. Your birds photos are fantastic, I would love to see a Northern Parula especially. I keep meaning to thank you for the book reviews on your sidebar; I read the one that's here "Hang the Moon" and left your site to go put it on my Library wait list. Then I went to Amazon and debated whether to spend $14.00 or so and buy the Kindle version instead of waiting for weeks. I still haven't decided (such a big purchase LOL) but while I'm thinking I came back to thank you for the review and as always for sharing the beautiful birds on your latest hike.
Oh, look at that cute little bird house. A fairy must surely live there hehehe. And I love that purple fairy sitting there on the tree stump. I wanted to tell you that your Header is so pretty with the sweet little bird. That's a great photo. I love bird houses, and when I moved to this house, I was told that they used them to cover the pipes in the winter, so they don't freeze. That bird with the yellow belly is also very pretty.
Have a pleasant weekend, Diane.
~Sheri
ps.....the photo of the black crow with the white feather stuck to it is very interesting, and indeed, it has a special meaning behind the photo. So wonderful that you caught that when you downloaded the picture.
Hello Diane :=)
What a delightful post Diane with a touch of humour that is unmistakably yours. Those bird houses do look like fairies live in them, and you saw one so you know it's true. All your bird sightings and photos are lovely. I have never seen a Northern Parula before, what a beautiful bird. The Yellow Warbler and Chickadee are cute.
Enjoy your weekend
All the best.
the northern parula is so pretty, i saw one once at the lake i visit!! i adore the little warblers, they are so sweet and have such beautiful colors and markings!! this looks like a great walk, i'm glad that people are leaving the fairy for everyone to enjoy!!
Wow! Love that bird house ~ lovely photos of our feathered friends
There is an island in Maine that has 'fairy houses' in the woods ~ magical feeling to see those ~ same with this bird house ~
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I love the little birdhouse. Great sightings of all the various birds, they are pretty to see. Have a wonderful weekend.
What a wonderful little birdhouse that is. I love that you spotted a fairy!
So many beautiful birds. The Fairy was very sweet!
You had some wonderful sightings, lovely photographs.
I also liked seeing the birdhouses.
Yes, always good to find a fairy in a forest :)
Have a lovely weekend.
All the best Jan
The nest builder is pure joy. Great photo
I love that birdhouses have been placed in the woods for the birds to use! I wonder if anyone ever cleans out the old nests? You saw some beautiful birds. I love seeing them too. Used to see the Northern Parula when we lived in Salt Springs, but I haven't seen any here where we are now. Just not woodsy enough I guess. Love the fairy!! What fun!! Thanks for sharing all the beauty around you.
Adorable and real bird houses. The bird photos are excellent. You are a really good photographer for sure.
Great photos!
Have a blessed day!
The fairy would surely find a perfect home in that birdhouse. The Northern Parula and Palm Warbler are both such pretty birds.
That looks like a terrific spot for walking and photography! Beautiful photos, Diane.
How fortunate that you have all of that beauty and wildlife to enjoy so close by.
Birdhouses are a favorite of mine, occupied or not, but I prefer occupied as you :)
Thank you for sharing your hike, and sweetness.
Hugs,
~Jo
Wow Diane, such a nice walk and I love the birds and nature. I hope you enjoy the week and happy May.
What a gorgeous place to walk. I'm impressed with the variety of birds you see - all so beautiful.
We were just talking about adding some birdhouses in our yard. The squirrels have chewed holes in the entrances of our current birdhouses. I do not think our wren's who usually nest in the birdhouses like that the squirrel did that.
Great photos as always! Love, Carla
That is an interesting placement for the first house. I can see why you almost missed it. A very nice assortment of birds. So glad you also found a fairy :).
Beautiful birds especially the Parula. I never saw that before.
What a great post! The first bird house is so cute! maybe it really is a fairy house. You sure captured wonderful shots of the birds! Happy May!
xxoo
I'm counting down to my Florida days in August so looking with interest at your birds here, I hope I get to see some of these!
Wren x
wonderful ....
yes, we may find a lot of surprises in the forest....
excellent photos of birdhouses.....
Good Morning, Diane!
Thank you for another wonderful post reminding us that one never knows what nature has in store for us on the next outing!
I have not been to Ross Prairie SF but you have motivated me to seek it out.
A small bit of rain has our woods and fields turning all green. Have a great weekend.
Love the birdhouses, Diane.
Your photos are a joy to see.
Hugs and blessings
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