The Florida Scrub-Jays at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

 One of our favorite hiking trails in the cooler months is Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the SR 200 trailhead. 

Florida Scrub-Jay

It's a very open trail and there are areas of white sand that reflect the sun, so it's better for a cool day.

We have in the past seen Florida Scrub-Jays on the back loop near the Savannah. But they are banded so we knew these birds were a different flock.

They were very near the parking area and would be easy for someone to find without taking a full hike. 

We spotted one at the top of a tree as soon as we started our hike.

And then another one hopped out onto the firebreak and showed off for us.

He was really fun to watch!

We saw 4 while we stood there taking his photo.

One of them was really bright blue.

This one was shy!

They are so unique and it's so nice to have these habitats for this endangered species.

It's on the federal endangered species list because of the decline in habitat caused by extensive development. 

So we watched and marveled at this flock of friendly birds.

And then we walked the loop and saw a few more birds and lots of wildlife tracks! (deer, bear, turkey, coyote, raccoon, wild hogs and rabbits)

Black and white Warbler, thanks David Gascoigne for help with the ID!

Palm Warbler

Mourning Dove

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve is a nature lover's paradise!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

 Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

We were honored to be featured in the Ocala's Good Life magazine this month and would like to share a link to the online version below. Thanks to JoAnn Guidry for such a wonderful article! What a fun experience! Happy Trails!

     

Enjoy our article in Ocala's Good Life magazine HERE.

Florida Scrub-Jays lead the way!

 We finished out the year with Hike #163! And it was actually a trail we had never been on before. We named it Scrub-Jay Way!

 Florida Scrub-Jay

Do you think I could park any closer to the forest? lol

Through the back opening (near 49th Ave trailhead) and into the scrub.

We saw a few at the beginning of the trail but then saw a dozen or more in the back loop.

It was amazing to see so many flying from tree to tree and not overly concerned about us standing there taking photos!

Very cool to see the bands on their legs. (Phil!!!)

This orange band really stands out!

Walk this way!

You can see how tall the scrub is and it's the perfect habitat for these Florida Scrub-Jays that are endemic to Florida. There aren't many populations left here either. They are on the endangered list.

The other surprise was the Rufous-sided Towhees.

 

We hear them on just about every hike but they are elusive and stay hidden.

These were interacting with the Scrub-Jays.

We saw a few Flycatchers and some Warblers too but the Scrub-Jays were the best sighting and a perfect way to end the year.

Maybe I should take driving lessons this year! hahahahaha!!!

(NO trees were injured in the parking of this vehicle!)

I hope this New Year brings us all good health and prosperity 

and some time in nature to soothe the soul. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

The Star of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

 

Would the star of HTP be the Florida Scrub-Jays?

It is such a privilege to see this rare endangered bird at Halpata Tastanki Preserve that we would be quick to give these birds the title of "Star of the Preserve".

We've found a small flock of them there a few years ago and we usually spot them on the loop that we take. 

A good website to learn more about the Scrub-Jay is HERE. 

Lately they have been at the Savannah.

We love the Savannah with beautiful grasses and marshy areas as far as the eye can see.

This week we even spotted a Northern Harrier overhead.

What a magnificent bird!

And the little Phoebe flits around as we follow the trail.

But then!!! What's that ahead? 

It came out of the woods to the left of us, 

ran onto the trail 

kicking up dust

 sprinting down the trail ahead of us.

I'm not sure if something was chasing him or if he caught sight of us.

But as quick as a wild turkey can run, it veered off to the right, never to be seen again! heehee!

So we think since he was so unexpected and fun to watch

the Wild Turkey was the star of HTP on this particular hike!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

The Florida Scrub-Jay at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

 We were so excited to find a nice flock of Florida Scrub-Jays on the back loop at the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve near the Savannah. 

In fact I was so excited that I went back again the very next day to see if they were still there.

And they were!

The Florida Scrub-Jay is the only bird species that lives exclusively in Florida.

And it's on the federal endangered species list.

We were even more excited when we saw that at least one of the birds was banded. 

(this one was showing off!)

We didn't notice the bands on his legs until we came home and looked at our photos.

When we load our photos onto my computer, we hook it up to the big screen TV and look at the photos there. We can really zoom in and see everything up close.

The Scrub-Jays were flying back and forth across the trail so we just stood real still and watched them.

The Blazing Star is in full bloom so I'll include it here. The Gulf Fritillary butterfly loves it!

I love this time of year, don't you?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.