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?

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  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

A nice long hike at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

 

I finally got on the trail at Pruitt for a nice long hike. 

It was less hot, less humidity with a breeze! 

Those days are few and far between in the summer months.

I took my time and took wildflower photos to my heart's content.

I saw 4 Bobwhites and 1 deer and a Hawk (no photos) but I took my time and enjoyed 2 hours in nature.

A quick photo of the wild honey bee hive, still active.

One small airplane flying overhead,

as well as Swallowtail kites and buzzards.

It was a welcome sight to see the Eastern Meadowlark and I enjoyed the song they sing.

Velvet Ant

The old shed with all of it's rustic beauty.

And a spider.

I got back to the Jeep and thought there was NO WAY I would stop for another pretty flower and neat bird. I had apple slices to munch and water to drink and I was ready to go home! 

But as I drove the dirt road to the hwy, I looked out in the pasture and saw a family of Sandhill Cranes.

So I took my one last ounce of energy and got out to walk the fence line and take pics. 

They walked and I tried to keep up!

Mama staying close to the young one!

Papa with all of the brightness of his colors! 

And the little one trying to keep up!

Getting to see the young Crane and this beautiful family was worth the effort!

I hope you find a nice day to get outside this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

The "Birds"!

 What you focus on in this photo is the beautiful melodic Eastern Meadowlark.

He's always a welcome sighting at the Pruitt trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

But what you might notice on closer observation is 100s of black birds in the background.

They are crows! Hundreds of them! They streamed through until I gave up trying to count them.

It's Spring and the birds are on the move. And there are birds around that I don't normally see. 

I looked out at this beautiful tree and saw deer browsing. Later 3 more walked across the trail in front of me.

It's probably a good thing I don't get photos of everything I see. I walk slow enough as it is! 

They weren't the least bit concerned about me from that distance.

I watched a Swallow-tailed Kite overhead.

And then spotted this American Kestrel.

He's a little ruffled by the wind.

I saw several on this hike but they usually perch too far away for a good photo.

A few more sights along the way and we'll head back to the Jeep!

Oh and here's the 'monster' of the day!

Doesn't this piece of pine bark look a little like a gator?

I hope you are enjoying the birds of Spring where you live!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

February brings signs of Spring!

 We definitely see signs of Spring in the month of February here in Florida.

I'm sure that's why so many people visit the state during this month.

I've seen more birds, wildflowers, colorful leaves and an abundance of butterflies already.

And I want to give an update on the honey bee hive at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

The bees are busy making honeycomb and it changes from week to week.

I thought in the beginning that it was a swarm and they would leave after a couple of weeks.

But they have been there for over 4 months now!

Here's the same photo taken a week apart and put together for comparison. You can see the same stick in each photo.

While I was on this particular hike, I got to watch 2 American Kestrels in all their glory!

This one was particularly cute!

Kestrel in flight

And even saw a few Eastern Meadowlarks!

They always show up in the Spring!

The weather has been beautiful allowing me to hike just about every other day for the month, which makes me very happy!

Are you seeing any signs of Spring where you live? Don't worry, it will be here before you know it! 

AHHHH Chooooo!!! lol

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !