A nice long hike at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

 

I finally got on the trail at Pruitt for a nice long hike. 

It was less hot, less humidity with a breeze! 

Those days are few and far between in the summer months.

I took my time and took wildflower photos to my heart's content.

I saw 4 Bobwhites and 1 deer and a Hawk (no photos) but I took my time and enjoyed 2 hours in nature.

A quick photo of the wild honey bee hive, still active.

One small airplane flying overhead,

as well as Swallowtail kites and buzzards.

It was a welcome sight to see the Eastern Meadowlark and I enjoyed the song they sing.

Velvet Ant

The old shed with all of it's rustic beauty.

And a spider.

I got back to the Jeep and thought there was NO WAY I would stop for another pretty flower and neat bird. I had apple slices to munch and water to drink and I was ready to go home! 

But as I drove the dirt road to the hwy, I looked out in the pasture and saw a family of Sandhill Cranes.

So I took my one last ounce of energy and got out to walk the fence line and take pics. 

They walked and I tried to keep up!

Mama staying close to the young one!

Papa with all of the brightness of his colors! 

And the little one trying to keep up!

Getting to see the young Crane and this beautiful family was worth the effort!

I hope you find a nice day to get outside this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

The "Birds"!

 What you focus on in this photo is the beautiful melodic Eastern Meadowlark.

He's always a welcome sighting at the Pruitt trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

But what you might notice on closer observation is 100s of black birds in the background.

They are crows! Hundreds of them! They streamed through until I gave up trying to count them.

It's Spring and the birds are on the move. And there are birds around that I don't normally see. 

I looked out at this beautiful tree and saw deer browsing. Later 3 more walked across the trail in front of me.

It's probably a good thing I don't get photos of everything I see. I walk slow enough as it is! 

They weren't the least bit concerned about me from that distance.

I watched a Swallow-tailed Kite overhead.

And then spotted this American Kestrel.

He's a little ruffled by the wind.

I saw several on this hike but they usually perch too far away for a good photo.

A few more sights along the way and we'll head back to the Jeep!

Oh and here's the 'monster' of the day!

Doesn't this piece of pine bark look a little like a gator?

I hope you are enjoying the birds of Spring where you live!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

A Quick trip to the Pruitt Trailhead!

 

Even a short hike can reap great results! 

When we drove in, the first bird I saw was perched on an old dead snag. So I rolled the window down and took a photo.

Mississippi Kite

We see Kites all through the summer months here in Florida.

Swallow-tailed Kite

Queen Butterfly

The stars of this little outing were the butterflies!

The Queen butterfly was exquisite!

And some of them were a duller brownish color. 

The Gulf Fritillary is always a pretty orange and common in North Central Florida.

And here are the maps for this little outing!

I love these unknown roads! I feel right at home here!

Happy September everyone!

 I am getting this post done early before Hurricane Idalia comes through. I'll update it to let everyone know how we fared. Hopefully it will just be a rain event for our area and we won't have any damage. I'm keeping everyone in the path of the storm in my prayers.

Update : We weathered the storm without any damage. You don't have to drive far to see a lot of damage though. We live about 30 miles, as the crow flies from Cedar Key. But we are fine and have clear skies and hot temps again! WHEW!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

But where are the photos?

 

Spending the morning in nature is time well spent.

Observing birds and wildlife boosts your spirit.

Photos are a bonus.

In other words, you don't always get photos of some of your best sightings. You just stand there in awe and marvel at what you've seen. It's all good! 

Variegated Fritillary Butterfly

And I keep a hiking journal to write down everything I've seen (or at least what I can remember)!

Red Winged Blackbird

One of my best sightings on the hike I took at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve last week was a Barred Owl.

I saw him in a tree next to the trail. He saw me. And he flew away from me in silent mode. It was amazing!

I also missed getting good photos of two Hawks.

The very first sighting was this Mama Turkey and her 2 little ones. 

But if you've ever taken photos in the heat and humidity, you'll understand why the photos are smoky.

I saw the turkeys when I parked, grabbed my camera and jumped out. The camera lens fogged over! lol

Oh well! It was a neat sighting.

Eastern Meadowlark singing his heart out!

And now he's scratching! 

I know this is another Eastern Meadowlark.

But it's a young one or female.

There's not as much color on the breast.

And a Swallow-tailed kite flying overhead!

Red winged Blackbird

Variegated Fritillary

I didn't get photos of everything I saw.

Live Oak Tree and possibly a female blackbird with something yummy! 

But plenty to share.

And a beautiful day to be out on the trails!

Have you had a good week too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

 I’d Rather B Birdin’, 

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !