Showing posts with label Osprey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Osprey. Show all posts

Friday, June 27, 2025

"Attention to Details"

 
I like to think I'm observant but I am still surprised when I work on my photos how many 'hidden details' I've missed!


Hey, Mr. Flycatcher! 

Spit out that grasshopper and eat some of these pesky gnats and mosquitoes!


And it's going to take this Osprey a long time to build a nest at this rate!


But look how interesting those wispy feathers are along the legs of this Great Blue Heron.

And this seemed like an unusual place for a mushroom to grow.


I guess it likes more light and air!


I'm going to get a little creepy now.


I took this photo thinking I was looking at a pretty plant but when I bent down to look more closely, this Green Anole jumped. I jumped too. I don't know who jumped higher! Isn't he perfectly hidden?

This poor alligator!


He has no body!



And I wasn't even sure this was an alligator until I looked at my pics!



He's trying to look like a 'knot on a log'! 

How do you like this pretty little pond at Reed Bingham State Park?


Read the small sign at the bottom! 


These ponds are for the kids....oh and the alligators!!!


Halloween Pennant

And now to dedicate this next part of my post to my dear friend, John from John's Island HERE

He has written me another poem dedicated to my last post and I want to share it today.

"Beneath the pines where hoofbeats roam,
Heritage Farm feels just like home.
Log cabins stand with rustic grace,
As goats and sheep patrol the place.

The Martins dart through gnats with gless,
While trails invite both you and me.
The river calls, the forest hums
Where quite peace and beauty comes.

So here's to the cabins, hooves and leaves
To Autumn dreams and golden eves!''

This is one of the true blessings of having a blog...making blog friends along the way. I know we all feel like sharing our photos with other like minded bloggers enhances our lives. John has really surprised me with these gifts of poetry. Thank you John for your thoughtfulness.


I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 


Friday, September 22, 2023

I once caught a fish THISSS BIGGG!!!

 
The fish story will be at the end of the post but I'll assure you now, I only took the photo! I didn't actually catch the fish! But it's a whopper!


We drove out to the Gulf Coast last weekend and it was a gorgeous day.


It started with a few sprinkles of rain and that scared most people off and we had the trail all to ourselves!

The first bird we saw was a Roseate Spoonbill but I wasn't fast enough to get a photo. 


But then when we got closer to the Gulf, a Bald Eagle was on the shore and flew to a tree nearby.


It was an elegant mature Eagle and we stood there and took lots of photos while it preened.


That was one of the highlights of the day. 


And a great way to start the day!


We saw a few Osprey too and they are always fun to watch glide overhead.


This one perched nearby and we took the pics from the truck!


Looks like he's saying, 'are you looking at ME?'with attitude! 


I took these through the truck windshield. (it was clean from the shower earlier!)


And then when we finished our hike on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail we headed out on the 4 miles of dirt road. We stopped at one of the observation platforms and that's where we saw the 'catch of the day'.


I think it may be the catch of a lifetime! This young lady pulled in a 27 pound, 3 ft long Black Grouper! 

It was amazing! I was almost as excited as she was!



It was 'catch and release' so they put it back in the water to live another day! 


A fun day was had by all!


Don't stay home just because of a few sprinkles! You might miss the gorgeous clouds at the end of the day!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Friday, July 22, 2022

Withlacoochee Bay Trail, buggy but beautiful!


 We've been anxious to drive back over to the Gulf Coast, weather permitting. It's been hot and humid and pop up showers are hard to predict. (and they usually come from the warm Gulf waters) 


So when we saw it would be low tide, we took a drive.
More chance of seeing shorebirds when there are exposed sandbars at low tide.


And the water was glassy and the views were amazing!


But there were deer flies buzzing all around. We didn't get a single bug bite but they were annoying to say the least!


Do you see the one that photobombed this photo? He was right on the lens of the camera for crying out loud!

But it was a good day for sightings!


Osprey


Tricolored Heron and Great White Egret.


Are you following me?


The Heron just wanted to hang out with the Egret! 

And here's proof that the earth is FLAT!


Don't go out too far and fall off! lol


This Swallowtail Kite might take a photo of you and post it on his blog! hahahaha! Straight out of camera with his catch of the day!


He has his camera focused right on YOU!!!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Tsala Apopka Outfall Canal


 Ready for an adventure?


We'll drive out to the dam....but only this once!



So look around and take all the photos you want because this will be the only time you get to go! 


The road was rough. ROUGH? There has to be a better word for it! 


Little Blue Heron, Anhinga

But for all locals, DON'T GO! Even with a high profile, 4 wheel drive vehicle it is a challenge.


Alligator and Stork

And there are birds and a monster gator to see but you can see those things in other places that are easier to get to. I was at least glad that we didn't meet anyone on the road. MEET ANYONE? NO WONDER!


Monster Gator


Stork flying away! lol

But before you think I went on a back road far far away. It was not far away and people lived on that road. But it was not maintained and there were holes big enough to bury the Jeep. I was driving, hubby was helping as in.....stay on the gas and ease through....don't stop....climb out of it.....get through the next hole....over the next hill....hug the right.....go off into the ditch on the left....through mud and muck and vegetation....no place to turn around....KEEP GOING!!!


ATV in distance, this was the only wide spot in the road!

We met one big truck with a trailer load of ATVs (driven by a lady) and one ATV (driven by a little girl). 


Osprey

Stay CALM....HOLD ON!


Osprey


Sandhill Cranes

So these are some of the neat things we saw when we were back there. 


Jeep, Colored Pencil 

Am I glad we went....well of course! 

Will we go again? Short answer...NO! 

My sons will be proud of me. I DROVE that Jeep! 


One gorgeous flower....just ONE!

Get out there and do something exciting this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.