Summer sightings at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

 I've taken a few short hikes this summer and loved every minute of my time in nature.

Do you see the little Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in my new banner?

The web is full of caterpillars so he appears to be getting ready for a feast!

When I drove onto the dirt road that runs along the preserve, I saw this in the field.

It looked like a couple of critters waiting to greet me!

But it was a pair of cute cactus plants!

There were so many Eastern Meadowlarks singing their beautiful song.

Some of them flew along beside me as I walked. 

There were a lot of Bobwhites calling each other but I didn't get photos of them.

I did see a nice flock of Red-winged Blackbirds though with some young ones in the flock.

This is one of the most beautiful butterflies I've ever seen and it lit on some frogfruit.

Checkered White Butterfly

And I will report that I wasn't just hanging around the house all this time goofing off like this critter.

This Raccoon was in our backyard for a few days, cleaning out our bird feeders.

We left them empty for a couple of days and I think he's moved on now.

I got a lot done around the house on my break. So when the weather improves, we'll be ready to go camping! 

What's new with you? What did I miss?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

"Oddities" and time off for good behavior!

 I wanted to share photos of some of my sightings that didn't make it into a post this summer.

And as far as the 'good behavior'....it depends on who you ask! heehee!

This Utopia sign is at Ross Prairie State Forest, so we'll see what we've missed there!

I saw this Scarlett Tanager but it was deep in the dark woods so the photos aren't great.

But it sure was a good sighting!

I think this is a Painted Lady butterfly.

There were TWO of them!

I just wish it had stayed put for a longer photo shoot!

And this Gopher Tortoise was running as fast as his short legs would carry him when he saw me coming.

They really are surprisingly quick!

He was a beauty and close to our campsite at Ross Prairie.

Here's his home! 

The Cactus was in full bloom and I took these at the same time.

I am going to take a couple of weeks break from the computer to get some things done. We are busy with 'home improvements'. Nothing big, just cleaning out and tidying up! I finally removed the silk tree from my bedroom. 

I loved it but it was impossible to keep clean. The dust collected on it! 

Photos taken at different times of the year. I don't change much, just a throw pillow or two!

A view out my bedroom window. 

 Maybe we'll even do a few 'fun' things in the next couple of weeks. I hope so! 

See you later, gator! 🐊 Hugs, Diane 🐢

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !