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!

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!

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  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 ! 

Sunset at the Pond

 I love to walk over to the neighborhood pond at sunset. 

It's not the best time for bird photos and it doesn't count as a hike but it's a relaxing evening stroll just down the street from my house.

I was thrilled to see so many Ring-necked Ducks. Thanks Wally for help with the ID! They are similar to the Scaup Ducks but when you see photos of them side by side, it's easy to tell the difference! Whew! I'm still learning!

I kept taking photos knowing they wouldn't be in sharp focus.

But the water did take on some sunset colors and looked beautiful.

One more before it gets too dark!

There were lots of other ducks and birds there so I'll share a few.

Great Egret hiding in the long grass along the bank.

Red-winged Blackbirds singing louder than the other birds.

A mosaic of the bird, purple Irises and roses.

And all along, you can see that I was lifting my camera to capture the spectacular sunset.

What a wonderful way to end the day.

One more mosaic of the Red-winged blackbird.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

The Neighborhood Pond

 

I haven't shared photos of the neighborhood pond in awhile.

Mottled Duck (I think)

As a matter of fact, I don't go over there as often when we hike so much. But I'm sure I'll walk over at sunset more this summer. 

This particular day, I had been to the restaurant to pick up 'take out' and the back of the restaurant is all glass looking out over the golf course and pond. And I saw something amazing! But I didn't have my camera with me. It was a flock of White Pelicans. So that's why I went back over there in the evening to see if they were still there. Keep in mind that we live less than 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico but it's still unusual to see Pelicans at the pond. And yes, we live close enough to walk to this restaurant. (I had a fish sandwich and hubby had a Reuben. We live on a golf course and there are some very nice amenities that come with that.)

So even though I didn't get pics of the Pelicans, I enjoyed the walk over there (and even talked with some neighbors that were walking in the cool of the evening). 

And it was nice to stand under the shade trees,  looking out over the pond and watching the ducks.

Looks like a few young ones still with Mama.

And some others together as a family.

The sun was low and casting a nice glow on these.

The pond, a Grackle and a Red-winged Blackbird

When we woke up this morning, a flock of White Ibis walked through the back yard. 

Ready for another round of golf!

We love living in Florida. It's not for everyone, but we love it year round! 

Get outside and enjoy your day and the special place YOU live!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.