Catching up with the Sandhill Crane family!

 It's always fun to drive out to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and hike the trail from the Pruitt trailhead.

And there are usually good sightings when you drive in the front gate.

I was happy to see the Sandhill Crane family, alive and well.

It was funny though when I stopped and hopped out of the Jeep to take the photos. 

My camera fogged over from all of the humidity!

But I waved it around and luckily the Crane family stayed close by their photo shoot!

I think this bird is a young Mockingbird.

It always confuses me because they seem more tan than gray.

I KNOW what this bird is! haha!

Northern Cardinal

I thought this was a small grasshopper with really long antennas but now I wonder if it a katydid. Anyone know?

Lots of beautiful plants and wildflowers this summer.

We've had summer pop up showers and that helps.

Oh and now we've finished the hike and I'm driving the Jeep back out on the gravel road.

And look what I saw!

Papa Crane was crossing the road ahead of me. Mama and young one were already across. I slowed down and waited!

Have a wonderful weekend! Take your time!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

The Gulf Coast, Postcard Perfect!

 

When you walk the Withlacoochee Bay Trail to the Gulf Coast, you are constantly looking around.

The views are amazing!

Northern Cardinal

There are birds everywhere!

Gulf Fritillary

And butterflies?

Wildflowers and butterflies are in abundance.

This Gulf Fritillary made us stand on our heads for a good shot!

The one bird we were surprised to see was this Northern Harrier.

They are more commonly seen over the preserve and along the greenway.

But this one soared over the water.

The Queen butterfly stayed on the flowers long enough for us to get some neat photos.

It's not often that ALL most of my butterfly photos are in focus! lol

I've seen butterflies everywhere this week and even some hummingbirds!

We didn't see any Manatee this trip, but we'll be back!

Has it been a good week for you too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Florida Flannel and Fleece

 

We had cold air come down and stay for a few days but we're back into the 70s now! We took a drive on Christmas day and a hike on the day after Christmas when it was in the 50s! We put on our long sleeve flannel shirts and fleece vests and braved the elements to hike at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. lol But we didn't get photos of the best sightings. We saw a coyote. The same one we saw a month or so ago. It's bigger than usual and darker so it's easy to remember. We also saw deer...but no photos.

Northern Cardinal at HTP

So let's take a drive to the Gulf Coast when it's in the 60s and nicer to get out and walk.

This is a view of the Gulf of Mexico from the end of the Withlacoochee Bay Trail at low tide.

It was the lowest tide we had ever seen and the exposed mud was popping and snapping and making all kinds of crackly noises. I laughed out loud! 

And here are some of the birds we saw there.

He's blending in!

Dipping for something to eat!

Willet

Great Blue Heron

Great White Egret

Belted Kingfisher

Another Kingfisher with belt showing

Birds all along the exposed sandbars!

Oystercatcher

Cormorant

I hope you've had a lovely holiday and I'm wishing you a Happy New Year!

Enjoy each and every day! 

And get out in nature whenever you have a chance!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Jungle Birds

 

I was in the bad habit of calling birds by whatever name I thought fit, back in the olden days. 

When I lived in the mountains of NC, I encountered a large bird that flew up and down the creek, making sounds just like a jungle bird. But since I've never been to a jungle, that may be my imagination too! lol 

It turned out to be a Pileated Woodpecker. And I heard him for a long time before I ever got a good sighting.

Pileated Woodpecker LINK

At Blue Run Park, they are a regular. But of course they are still fun to see and hear!

Another bird I saw this week with a flaming crest was a Cardinal.

Northern Cardinal LINK

Usually the male is the showiest but the sun was just right to show off the pretty colors of this female.

We've had some rain but no bad weather here at our house. We watched the weather channel and saw the damage just East of us though. One lady even sat in her car as a tornado tore through the area. We had no idea any of that was happening, but it is the time of year for violent thunderstorms here in Florida. The rain has brought some of the most beautiful wildflowers and along with those, butterflies galore! 

Always something beautiful to see in nature!

Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly LINK

I hope you have a chance to enjoy it where you live too!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.