Be Quick but Stay Calm!

 

It's exciting to get out in nature and wonder what marvelous thing you will see. And yes, every time you hike you see something amazing.

We saw this Yellow-billed Cuckoo bird (above photo cropped) on a hike this week at the very beginning of a hike.

And we only got to take 3 photos. I took one of him in a tree,

hubby took him in flight...

and then I saw where he landed. (he took off right after this) We were hoping to see him again but we didn't. And we were also hoping the photos we took were in focus!

 A yellow-billed cuckoo bird...I love the sound of that!

And when we hiked at the 49th Ave trailhead of the Florida trails, hubby saw this deer in the woods at the same time the deer saw him. 

They both stopped in their tracks.

We watched it grooming itself and acting very nonchalant! lol

We decided it was waiting for us to go on down the trail so that it could cross the trail.

And just as we walked on, a bike came and he stopped too.

You never know what you'll see around the next bend. So get out there in nature for some excitement!

 It's a beautiful time of year to explore!

 

Do you have a favorite trail or park to visit?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

The Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

I finally saw a bird I've hoped to spot for years! I knew they were in this area but this is the first one I've ever seen! 

 A Yellow-billed Cuckoo!!!

I think it is a juvenile because of the absence of color on his beak and the dim stripes on his tail.

But isn't he a beauty!!!

I had driven over to the Pruitt Trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and hadn't really planned to hike.

But I had my day pack 'just in case' and the weather was so beautiful, I couldn't resist a short walk. I met 3 hikers and talked with them and saw a big bird with a lot of white showing fly behind them. So when they walked on....I kept going. 

 And I saw him! He was darting down to catch something tasty and I even got that photo.

Look a little closer! A nice juicy caterpillar! 

 

At the top of page 268 in The Sibley Guide to Birds it says, " All three cuckoos are slender, long-tailed, and inconspicuous; they move furtively through dense foliage of bushes and trees in search of caterpillars."

What a thrill to see this beautiful bird! I can't wait to go back and hope that I hear his call next time.

I watched a large flock of Sandhill Cranes fly over yesterday! Time for migratory birds to move through the central part of our state! That's exciting too!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

 

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.