An Exciting week and the Bird trees!

 I'm going to describe this past week as 'exciting'! 

Eastern Meadowlark 

We worked on some projects and when everything came together, we went hiking!

Palm Warbler

Some of the usual tasks went undone but isn't it nice when you have interesting places to go and don't have time to tackle all of the 'ordinary' chores.

(possibly a female Blue Grosbeak)

And that brings me to the bird trees. 

Phoebe

We've found over the years of hiking that birds flock together along the trail. All different types of birds and all flitting around from tree to tree in one area! 

And right now we are seeing some familiar birds return to Florida.

Palm Warbler

We are also seeing some we are having trouble identifying.

Palm Warbler

They don't always make it easy either! lol

We connect my computer to our big screen TV to view our photos. And then we sit with our collection of bird books but still have trouble making a positive ID on some of them. Especially the Warblers.

Common Yellowthroat

I would love to have a good ID for the Warbler above!

And I have one now! A special thanks to Sandra, Cloudia, David G. and Eileen for the help!

Thanks to my Florida blog friend, Wally for help with the Palm Warblers! 

I'm sharing what we saw on just one hike at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt Trailhead.

We got a quick photo of these Sandhill Cranes at the end of the hike! Do you see them above the tree line?

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Get out and have some fun while the weather is nice!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and Antler Shedding

 I've hiked on the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve trails a little more this month because they are doing some prescribed/control burns on some of the Florida Trails I usually hike. It's a good thing and they alternate burns but it still means you go to plan B when you see smoke. lol

I met a young man recently that had found something pretty unusual, a deer antler still attached to a deer skull. 

What a discovery!!!

When I first saw him, he was standing away from the trail to give me a chance to pass. 

His dog was from a shelter and did not trust people so he kept the dog close to him. (all dogs are on leashes even on the forest trails) He sure was a beautiful dog and now he has a good home! 

I've never found a deer antler but I did a search online HERE and learned a little more about shedding.

We learn so much from getting out in nature, don't we?

Birds abound in Florida at this time of year.

Phoebe and Bluebirds

Flycatcher

And wildflowers are blooming like crazy! 

Yellow Jessamine

Blueberry bushes are in full bloom too!

Have you ever found deer antlers on a hike? I don't think I really look for them but I probably will from now on!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

The Star of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

 

Would the star of HTP be the Florida Scrub-Jays?

It is such a privilege to see this rare endangered bird at Halpata Tastanki Preserve that we would be quick to give these birds the title of "Star of the Preserve".

We've found a small flock of them there a few years ago and we usually spot them on the loop that we take. 

A good website to learn more about the Scrub-Jay is HERE. 

Lately they have been at the Savannah.

We love the Savannah with beautiful grasses and marshy areas as far as the eye can see.

This week we even spotted a Northern Harrier overhead.

What a magnificent bird!

And the little Phoebe flits around as we follow the trail.

But then!!! What's that ahead? 

It came out of the woods to the left of us, 

ran onto the trail 

kicking up dust

 sprinting down the trail ahead of us.

I'm not sure if something was chasing him or if he caught sight of us.

But as quick as a wild turkey can run, it veered off to the right, never to be seen again! heehee!

So we think since he was so unexpected and fun to watch

the Wild Turkey was the star of HTP on this particular hike!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.