When you walk the Withlacoochee Bay Trail to the Gulf Coast, you are constantly looking around.
The views are amazing!
Northern Cardinal
There are birds everywhere!
Gulf Fritillary
And butterflies?
Wildflowers and butterflies are in abundance.
This Gulf Fritillary made us stand on our heads for a good shot!
The one bird we were surprised to see was this Northern Harrier.
They are more commonly seen over the preserve and along the greenway.
But this one soared over the water.
The Queen butterfly stayed on the flowers long enough for us to get some neat photos.
It's not often that ALL most of my butterfly photos are in focus! lol
I've seen butterflies everywhere this week and even some hummingbirds!
We didn't see any Manatee this trip, but we'll be back!
Has it been a good week for you too?
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44 comments:
...this looks picture postcard perfect to me. Enjoy your weekend, Diane.
Gorgeous photos! I am learning things here as I was able to identify some creatures from their photos without reading. It must be that you continue to tell us what you are seeing. That's a good thing.
Butterflies are so tricky! Well done...
Love the photos, butterflies are always smile makers
None are showing up here yet in my Vermont backyard. White moths flutter around though.
the no seeums are abundant here, i saw an article in the news about midges and swarms of them in Florida. Hope they were not out there. we have the swarms at daybreak and dusk in our back yard. no photos ha ha... but we did have rain and one duck came back..
What a wonderful series of photos.
I think the Northern cardinal is really beautiful, this is a species that you can only see here in the zoo.
The butterflies are also very beautiful.
Greetings Irma
.... and a Cardinal is making a nest here.
Beautiful place for walking and it was delightful to see all your beautiful photos.
I've been seeing quite a lot of butterflies around my house!!
What wonderful butterfly images you've captured! Thanks for sharing the beauty in your world.
These are skillful shots! Thanks so much for sharing!
You always get the best photos. Especially love the butterflies. I have seen some large swallowtail butterflies flitting about, but not close enough (or still long enough) for me to get any photos. But I enjoy seeing them gaily going about their business throughout the day. And of course the birds are always a welcome sight. Thank you for sharing the beauty where you are. It brightens our days.
Love these butterflies
Amazing photos! I need to put this on my list of day-trips for when I can retire again! Thanks for taking us along! xo
I've seen SO many butterflies here at our camper/cabin this last two weeks! They love my wildflowers as do the bees!
Beautiful shots! I love butterflies.
Wow, it's beautiful there. That first photo is an awesome view. You sure saw a lot of nice things.
The butterflies alone would make it worthwhile. And they are probably not even banned in the books yet!
Hello Diane,
The views are beautiful, great captures and bird sightings. I love the Northern Harrier. The butterflies are all beautiful, wonderful captures.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
You had some wonderful sightings but that butterfly -- wow. (I know what you mean about butterfly photos and focus! They're tough to pull off!)
Great photos!
Love the butterflies!
Have a blessed day!
really awesome flight images of the northern harrier, we have them here but i have never seen one. lot's of beautiful butterflies...i have been releasing those that overwintered with me and planted lots of dill for this upcoming season!!
that may be the brightest cardinal i have ever seen!!
i have had a great week, hoping to get to the alpaca farm today. today, i shared pictures of some gorgeous fox pups i saw this week. it was all very exciting!!
Hello Diane :=)
Beautiful scenery and your photos of those gorgeous butterflies are really fab. Sadly I haven't seen many in these parts. Great sighting and photos of the Northern Harrier.
All the best.
LOTS of butterflies birds and pretty wildflowers there! Love all the pictures. ITS ACTUALLY CHILLY HERE yesterday and today!!---- enjoying that so much!! Lots of rain-- our gardens soaking it up! Happy Memorial Day weekend! Do yall grill out?
Great shots especially those of the butterflies. It has been rather cool here so the butterflies have not been out & about too much yet.
Nature is so amazing, and beautifully shown in your photography. Your new header image is so vibrant and colorful.
Your nature photography is fantastic and what a beautiful place to live ~ enjoy ` Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Beautiful captures. The butterflies are stunning and a great shot of the Northern Cardinal. Have a wonderful weekend.
Gorgeous captures all!
I always learn new species whenever I visit. Love the butterflies and Harrier and of course the cardinal. We don't have them here. The view overlooking the water is so pretty. Hope your weekend is fun and relaxing. x K
Great photos! The trail looks like a wonderful place to enjoy nature. The butterfly shots are special!
taking a second peek here...those gulf fritillary butterfly are really special. such a pretty color and wing pattern!!
Wonderful pictures of God's beautiful creations. Happy Memorial Day to you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Birds - Blooms - Butterflies!
What could be better?
Outstanding illustrations of why we live in central Florida. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your beauty!
Trying to absorb as much of these cooler mornings as possible while it lasts.
Another hike with gorgeous photos of such a variety of beautiful butterflies. Great weather for hiking! I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. I watched the 34th Annual Memorial Day Concert on PBS last night. It was a very nice tribute to the fallen heroes, and a "Thank You" to all the branches of the Military Service. A very Happy Memorial Day to you and Ron! Love, Aunt Helen
I am so pleased that when you walk the Withlacoochee Bay Trail to the Gulf Coast you take your camera and share your lovely photographs with us here.
Wishing you a good week ahead.
All the best Jan
Awww...all those butterflies! They are my favourite critters.
Love the Northern harrier too.
Have a great week ahead!
How beautiful, Diane! I've always loved cardinals and sadly they don't fly this far west.
Lots of beautiful wings to set against the cliuds. Thanks for dropping by my blog today Diane.
Much💖love
A perfect postcard indeed. :-) Oh how I love, wildflowers and butterflies.
xx oo
Carla
Diane - thanks for your visit to my blog and your kind comment.
I was thrilled to go around my garden this morning after a three-week absence - it is so GREEN! We don't have butterflies yet, but the hummingbird that was already here in early May showed up as soon as I filled the feeders!
Love your bird and butterfly shots!
Yes, I believe: that's really a wonderful place for holidays.
Thank you for sharing with
MosaicMonday
Hugs by Heidrun
The Gulf Coast is indeed postcard perfect!
Love the gorgeous photos, especially the butterflies.
Hugs and blessings, Diane
Butterflies do not cooperate when pictures are being made. They are too flighty. Lol.
Jeannie@GetMeToThecountry
Beautiful photos. I like the sunflowers. Have a nice sunday.
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