Bees and Bugs and Birds

 

We headed out on a warm muggy morning to hike Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt trailhead.

It wasn't terribly hot and there were some clouds in the sky but the humidity was high and there wasn't the slightest bit of breeze so it felt pretty oppressive. But we have to pick and choose hiking days in the summer months. And I was SO ready to get out in nature.

This bee looked like he had enough pollen collected to head back to the hive!

And hubby took a great photo of this beautiful green dragonfly.

But then we saw that a Robber fly had captured the dragonfly.

They were very still for a few minutes and then the Robber fly flipped it over and gave us a stare down.

Doesn't it look like something from a Science Fiction movie?

We saw Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Hawks, Grackles, Ibis, Warblers and Herons.

We heard Bobwhites calling to each other all along the way and thought we saw one at a distance.

We zoomed in for the photo but it appears to be a Meadowlark. 

Possibly a juvenile Meadowlark. Another good sighting.

Halloween Pennant

It was a good hike and worth a little 'perspiration'. Hike #88!

We are supposed to be in the high 80s for the next few days. I know it's hotter in other parts of the country right now. What are your temps this weekend?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Where the Rivers Meet

It's so beautiful to stand on the bridge and look out at the Withlacoochee River. 

This is where the Withlacoochee River meets the Rainbow River and there are beautiful swirls of color in the water!

And today we had the treat of watching a River Otter swim.

He went under water for so long, we had trouble keeping up with him.

We never knew how far down the river he would go before popping his head up.

They are so entertaining.

Can you find him in the center of the photo?

Another fun sighting on this hike at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon was a pair of Great Blue Herons.

They were 'chasing' each other and putting on quite a show.

One of them swam through the water like a Swan....

so graceful!

The other one was 'king of the brush pile' and then flew up into a tree and 'honked'.

It was a beautiful day to hike with lots of neat sightings. January is a great month to spend in Florida.

Have you had a good week? Have you taken many photos?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

The Blue Grosbeak and the Crazy Heron!

I stopped by the Pruitt Trailhead of the Florida trails for just a quick 'look see'! It was early afternoon and already in the 90s so I didn't plan to hike. But I had my camera to walk around and look.

While I was watching a Heron fly into a tree, something BLUE streaked by in front of me at eye level. He was bright blue and stopped nearby to perch on the fence, but just long enough for one decent photo. We have so many Eastern Bluebirds, Blue Jays and Scrub Jays here that a bright blue bird is not rare.

But this one WAS rare! We don't see any kind of Grosbeak here and this one is a 

Blue Grosbeak! 

I was THRILLED to see a bird I've never seen before! Look at his big silver beak! Amazing!

Oh and back to the bird I was watching fly into a tree! 

You tell me! heehee!

I know it's a Heron and I've gone back and forth as to which one.

I think I've settled on the ID but I'll consider all your input!

What do you think? 

And is he a fluffy juvenile?

 Planning to take on this dragonfly?

Whatever he is....he is the cutest sighting! (well except for that Blue Grosbeak!!!)

Hope you can get outside and look around and see what nature reveals to you!

 I was headed to the shade of those Live Oak trees for these photos!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE  

  and I’d Rather B Birdin’.