Birds and Birdhouses

 

Ross Prairie State Forest is a great place to visit to see birds and wildlife. It's just West of Ocala on SR 200.

On this particular hike, I took the time to take photos of all the birdhouses I could find.

They are placed all over the forest and I almost missed this one!

It looks like something a fairy would inhabit!

I didn't see birds nesting on this hike but maybe we'll see some the next time we hike there.

These are some of the small birds we've seen this week.

Northern Parula

A good view of the back of the Northern Parula pulling on the Spanish Moss, perhaps to line a nest.

Carolina Chickadee

Raven (or crow)

He had one white feather sticking out of his side!

Warbler

It can be hard to spot some of the tiny birds!

And did I find a fairy in the forest? Well, of course! 

You just never know what you'll see in the woods. I hope you find a special place to walk in the woods. It's the best place to enjoy a hike!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Shorter Hikes, smaller birds

 

It doesn't always work out that way but we did see some pretty birds this past week on the Florida Trails.

Ovenbird

We were determined to go hiking even though the weather was in full 'summer mode'!

Red-headed Woodpeckers

The humidity was high and the breeze was low but it still felt good to get outside and explore!

Carolina Wren

We just go a little slower and keep the hikes short.

Waterthrush 

Thank you to Anni and David G. for help with the IDs! You came to my rescue AGAIN!!!

And then Autumn was announced and overnight our weather changed!

Tufted Titmouse

We are still in the 80s but there is a nice breeze and less humidity!

Northern Parula

I have so many trails on my list that we haven't been able to hike this summer. 

Kestrel in flight with the 'catch of the day'!

Does standing behind this post make me look thinner? lol

(that's a rhetorical question...don't you DARE answer it!!!)

Have you seen a change in the weather this week? 

Happy Fall from Florida! 

The Northern Parula was the star of the day!

 

It was like a zoo at Blue Run Park this week! It had rained the day before and then the sun came out for a picture perfect day.

And the birds and critters were numerous AND varied!

The Northern Parula was gorgeous with it's brilliant colors.

It never stayed still but we kept clicking away with both cameras! 

We stopped often to see another bird or another critter.

And I don't think we've ever seen so many alligators,

this one on the log looks menacing 

but the little ones are 'kinda' cute.

Tri-color Heron

And this Limpkin was a neat sighting.

It stayed still for photos

then we took a quick pic of a Great White Egret getting ready to take flight.

And the Limpkin said....

you're photo bombing my photo shoot! haha! (straight out of camera)

(Little Blue Heron)

And there's room for one more don't you think?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Critters AND Birds

I was driving over to the Pruitt Trailhead when I spotted this 'critter' on the side of the road.

Gopher Tortoise

There was a good place to pull over so I took a few pics.

I didn't want to get too close to him though and scare him back onto the street or have him stop and pull into his shell.

That's him behind my car in a gravel driveway of a business. I watched until I saw that he had gotten near the woods next door. 

I saw many of my usual birds and critters at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (hike #96 for the year)

and it was a beautiful day to be out. (just a little on the HOT side of pleasant) But as I was finishing up my hike and in view of my car,

I heard a small group of trees tweeting. I recognized the Mockingbirds tune and the Cardinal too. 

But the other birds sounded like tweaty birds.

I took photos (most of them I couldn't even find the birds because of the leaves) and I was happy when I got home to see the nice variety.

This Black and White Warbler flew and I got a good look at all of his striping.

This Warbler is probably a female (not sure what).

The Northern Parula I recognized when I saw it. (sorry about the blurry photos, he wouldn't hold still! heehee)

And I got more than one photo of it.

Even a Blue-gray gnatcatcher.

Hope he was spending all his time catching bugs because they are buzzing around.

I did notice this web that had caterpillars in it so they might have all been feasting on them.

So it was a great day to be out in nature!

But isn't it always!!!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.