Happy Thanksgiving from Florida

It's just the best time of the year here in Florida!

And this week I'll share the 'yard birds' I've seen around the house!

These turkeys were hanging out on the golf course.

You can see how many leaves have fallen from the Poplar tree this week.

Their feathers are so beautiful.

But they better stay on the run to avoid the roasting pan this week!

We had a wonderful surprise when we looked out back and saw a big flock of Robins.

They usually show up on Christmas day.

But this year they were early and it sure lifted my spirits to stand outside and watch them. And isn't my neighbor's Poinsettia gorgeous!

We had a Great White Egret walk through the neighborhood.

He's across the street in these photos.

And a small flock of White Ibis even showed up for the holidays.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and a blessed week.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

"Manatee Springs State Park" Gorgeous!

 

I tried to think of a better word than 'gorgeous' but you'll have to help me there. 

If after you look at the photos, you can think of a more descriptive word, I'll use it in my next post.

I'll include a link HERE if you want to read more about this park. This is a first-magnitude spring that releases an astounding 100 million gallons of water daily!

We spent a week camping here and had such fun. 

There are a lot of hiking trails and the Springs were only about 1/2 mile away from our campsite so we went every day. 

It was nice going at different times of the day to see wildlife and birds. We did not see Manatees on this trip but we weren't disappointed in our sightings each day.

Deer walked through our campsite. A raccoon climbed the tree next to the picnic table and we got back one evening to see a pretty white cat waiting for us.

And the Springs are just gorgeous!

Ibis in the water

The first evening we walked down there we saw a Barred Owl fly into a tree nearby.

You all know that's one of my favorite sightings.

And then we saw him 3 nights in a row in the same area. 

I have about a hundred photos. 

Want to see them all?

OK....OK! 

How about this Little Blue Heron!

And here's a mosaic of the owl preening!

I'll share more photos of some of the hikes we took in days to come. Hope you'll come back to hike with me!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Hike #129 Blue Run Park in Dunnellon

 We've hiked quite a bit this week because of the beautiful weather.

Ibis

And there are SO many birds and critters around right now.

I thought I would just share the entry from my hiking journal and then show a few photos.

#129 Blue Run Park to the bridge, beyond to the pond

74 degrees 52% humidity, 1 hr 42 min, 2.2 miles 

Gorgeous! Perfect sun and some clouds! Good day!

Large Swamp Gator, head out of water, mouth OPEN, all sizes of teeth!

Tricolor Heron, Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Green Heron, Hawk, 4 Kingfishers, 3 Kingfishers chasing each other-neat, turtles, Grebes, Moorhen, Warblers, Cardinal, Wren. 

Hawk on ground near our home. 

Large Purple Aster in full bloom! Bumblebee preening on the trail. Stinkbug on flower.

Driving back on the hwy near a Dunnellon airport, small plane flew RIGHT in front of us, scared us both!

Yes, we walk slow when we go to Blue Run because there's so much to see! And I write in my journal after every hike which is a fun way to keep up with what we are seeing from year to year. 

Here's a few of the birds and critters we managed to photograph!

Red shouldered Hawk

Anhinga

Green Heron

Tricolored Heron

Purple Asters on the Withlacoochee River

Purple Asters

Bumblebee on trail

Swamp Gator

I warned you that his mouth was open showing his teeth!

Turtle soup?

Banana Trees

It's perfect hiking weather in Florida! Come on down!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

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’. 

A Walk through Deer Woods

 

I like to name areas along the trail and this is definitely Deer Woods. It's Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt Trailhead and we usually see deer in this area.

 

This particular day, we saw several.

Some of them aren't very concerned about us trekking through the woods.

They still take the time to have a snack as they are crossing in front of us.

(my favorite photo of the day, I made a banner out of it!)

Look how well they blend in to the grasses!

And I wouldn't normally share a shot of the 'tail end' but it was such a neat photo of the white flag (his tail) and his legs on the bound that I just had to share! lol

OK, hide now! I know you are embarrassed! 

We saw a lone Sandhill Crane close by. They are usually in pairs or a family but we only saw this one.

Ibis flew overhead and dragonflies are in abundance now. It's gotten 'warm' but we still love to get out!

Has it warmed up at your house this week? By warm....I mean we are already seeing some 90s for highs! It's May in Florida and I love it! It's just about my favorite month of the year!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.