Beautiful Birds of Florida

 

We always check the tide chart before we drive out to the Gulf of Mexico and on this particular day, the lowest tide was at noon. 

Perfect! All of these sandbars will be covered with water when the tide comes in.

But for now....

a glimpse at how many birds are out there!

The Pelicans seem to be having a conversation.

Or is it an argument? lol

We drive along the canal on a dirt road for 4 miles before we reach the Gulf.

Great White Egret, Snowy Egret and Tri-colored Heron

And we had never seen so many birds along the banks of the canal and in the water.

I think this is a Bonaparte's Gull.

Hubby was driving and some of these were taken from inside the truck!

Snowy Egret and Tri-colored Heron

And then some of my favs!

A Stork fishing for his dinner!

He looked a bit comical with all his twists and turns!

Just one more before we have to walk away!

We saw a wonderful variety of shorebirds! 

And now to share my favorite photo of the day!

Great Blue Heron

It was hard to pick a favorite!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Winter Warmth in Florida

 We have a few cold days but we are warmer than most states in the winter. Today it is supposed to be 80 degrees and we are headed to the Pruitt Trailhead to hike the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve trails.

I know many of you feel like you've been there before but there's always something interesting to see.

Someone asked me what my most favorite trail was and this was it.

Of course there are so many directions you can take. 

And it changes from month to month....

sometimes from week to week.

Flycatcher

So these are some neat sightings from HTP in January.

Stork (not a good photo but I wanted to include him) 

We saw hundreds of Tree Swallows.

They are hard to photograph too!

Yellow-rumped Warbler aka butter-butt

We like to drive over there at least once a week and we spend 2 hours there at least when we go. 

So Vee....how about hiking HTP with me today? (She was concerned that I took all my photos from the Jeep! lol) 

I probably won't be doing this any time soon! 

Hang glider

Or go for a ride in this!

Canard

There's a small airport nearby!

American Kestrel

I'm still celebrating my birthday weekend and eating birthday brownies. 

I'll save you one to eat when we finish our hike! 

Come on down! Sunshine and brownies....and HTP! 

It's always fun to get outside and enjoy nature!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

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’. 

The Storks have landed!

 

Hopefully they didn't make any 'deliveries' in our retirement community!

But they sure were a surprise when we got to the bridge over the Withlacoochee River at Blue Run Park.

We'll zoom in!

Wood Storks

We had seen them earlier in the week, high in the sky.

And how nice that these perched on a colorful Maple tree.

We don't have many Fall colors at this time of year so this was a surprise.

It won't freeze here for another month or more. And then we usually just have a few frosty nights.

But we do see some pretty colors at the end of summer.

Only a face that a mother would love?

I love them too!

They stayed in the same spot changing their pose now and then. How nice of them!

Another bird flew in for just ONE photo! 

Belted Kingfisher

And if you think it's too crowded to visit Florida at this time of year when the weather is fabulous....

look at the parking lot at 3 pm when we were getting ready to leave. It surprised us too! Another part of the parking lot had cars though. 

Have you ever seen a Wood Stork?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.