The Neighborhood Pond at Sunset

 This is one of my favorite times to walk to the neighborhood pond.

Mourning Dove

I'm seeing a trend on my blog lately, the word 'favorite' is showing up a lot.

It's probably because I'm experiencing my 'favorites' again after a year of hard times.

The lighting can be odd at sunset so you never know what your photos will look like until you get back home.

Downhill Ducks

Canada Goose

Goose with the broken wing

Just a few favorite pics after a walk to the pond at sunset.

Magnolia bloom in a cube effect (a fav!)

Do you have a good place to walk near your house?

Try to get out when the sun goes down and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

The Choctawhatchee River and Blue Springs!

 

We sure enjoyed our camping trip to Blue Springs State Park in Alabama!

One day we spent the afternoon hiking around the Springs and down by the river.

Clear blue natural underground springs pump 3,600 gallons of water per minute into two concrete ringed swimming pools and then out into the Choctawhatchee River.

The pool is a constant 68 degrees year round and clear enough to see the sandy bottom.

Here it is flowing down to the river.

Don't you love this pretty pond and it's stocked for fishing!

 

I loved seeing the ducks in the pond!

They added to the fun of taking photos!

This playground equipment looked like something from my childhood! (maybe it IS!) 

Some of the old picnic tables are pretty ancient too but it still looks beautiful in every direction!

How about these two trees that have grown together?

We are enjoying seeing so many interesting things when we travel and camp at the State Parks.

We have a big trip planned for this month too so I'll visit when I can get online! 

🎄 Have a festive holiday season! 🎄

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Walking out the front door to hike!

 It's hot....what can I say! 

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

This is not in focus and I usually like crisp and clear photos but for some reason I love this duck in flight!

I've walked over to the neighborhood pond a few times in the late evenings to get some exercise and see some birds.

Oh, and watch the sunset!

I watched a Canada Goose leading a flock of ducks in a late evening round of golf.

So what's the hold up?  Can you try to keep up!

Oh my, are all geese this bossy?

This is a female Boat-tailed Grackle. Thanks for help with the ID Wally! And thanks Eileen for mentioning with Whistling Duck. I'm still learning!

And this is White Ibis with some of the sunset colors giving him a golden streak.

There were several ducks on the pond with young ones in tow.

One more photo of how pretty the homes look here in the summer months with flowers blooming and flags flying!

Standing in my front door!

I hope you are enjoying some summer time walks!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

A short walk to the neighborhood pond for 2024!

 

It's always hard to get used to writing the new year! 2024! WOW! 

Let's take a walk to the neighborhood pond. It's not far so I don't count it as a hike but we made 143 hikes on the Florida trails for 2023 so I'm happy with that! 

I walked over there in the late afternoon so the lighting was kind of funny. And the Bald Cypress trees are deciduous conifers that turn a burnt orange and then lose their leaves (or needles) at this time of year. 

Some photos look lighter and brighter than others.

And of course I saw ducks!

When I first walked up, I noticed a whole line of ducks on the bank across the pond.

And this beautiful Great Blue Heron was crouched down in the tall grasses.

Let's see how close we can get!

It was just beautiful in every direction!

Some of the ducks I have tried to ID before and finally realized they are hybrid ducks. 

But if you have a better ID, please let me know and I'll add it to the description.

There were a few Moorhens in the mix too.

And one we see in the winter months....

the Ring-necked Duck.

They are so distinct and beautiful.

It was a nice warm 70 degree afternoon.

The perfect way to begin the new year!

Happy New Year everyone!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE ! 

The Red-tailed Hawk and 'friends'!

 

We see Hawks here on the golf course pretty often.

But this Red-tailed Hawk was a beautiful sighting.

I cropped some of these to look at him up close.

We were standing in our courtyard taking these photos as he perched on a tall pine tree.

I still take a neighborhood walk in the evenings some times.

It doesn't count as a hike but it's a nice chance to walk over to the neighborhood pond and see what's there.

A family of ducks was swimming all over the pond. 

The young ones weren't that small but you could tell they were a family staying together.

I think a Moorhen sneaked into this photo.

And a Great White Egret was across the pond.

Do you have plans to get outside this weekend? 

I hope the weather improves soon so that we can get out more.

It's been very warm and humid this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.