A Preening kind of Day!

 Maybe this heat is making for a 'bad hair day'!

This White Ibis just wants to perch here and do a little preening and not have to worry about a Great White Egret swooping past!

After all it's not that easy to perch on this little twiggy tree!

When I first drove into the Pruitt Trailhead I saw a big flock of Cattle Egrets preening near the marsh.

My photos aren't very sharp for 2 reasons. It was quite a distance away AND my lens fogged up when I got out of the cool, dry Jeep and into the heat and humidity! 

But you can tell this little guy had done his best to look presentable. (looks like he has it just the right 'poofyness'. Poofyness is not a word?! It is here in Florida! lol

And this Red Shouldered Hawk is doing his best!

He's poofed and fluffed.

And now he thinks he has it just right!

It was a beautiful day at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

And in heat like this, I had it all to myself!

White Peacock Butterfly

Have you been outside much this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

Butterflies, Bumble Bees and Birds

We have all three 'Bs' for this post!

Even a Blue Grosbeak!

We were astonished to see not one.....

not two.....

but THREE Blue Grosbeaks when we hiked Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt trailhead.

Two of them were close together, across the trail from each other and the other one was in the parking area.

And this bumble bee was busy on the Horsemint.

It's butterfly season here in Florida now too.

Lots of beautiful wildflowers attracting the Gulf Fritillary.

I was 'chasing butterflies'....

literally!

Isn't this White Peacock gorgeous?

I love the soft colors of this pretty butterfly. 

A good day to be out on the trails.

 Have you had a chance to get outside this week? 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.