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?
