Beautiful Florida Photos

I’d like to concentrate on some of the beautiful birds I’ve seen this month.

Isn’t this Pelican pretty surrounded by Flamingos?

And how about this Great White Egret in flight!

The Black Crowned Night Heron is always eye catching…

and this Ibis has lots of dark feathers. (maybe a young one?)

My timing on showing ‘wild animals’ was bad last Saturday considering the terrible news of the lady that was killed by an Alligator here in Florida. My heart goes out to her family.

Alligators are dangerous and we have to realize that they are going to act like a wild animal and we have to constantly be on our guard. I still feel very blessed to get out in nature and see these amazing critters. But I am always careful. And to tell you the truth, we are more likely to come across snakes than anything else. Of course that doesn’t make me feel any better. I’ll keep hiking and spending time photographing nature though. It’s worth the risk! Or at least it is for me!

Did you get outside this week with your camera?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Thrift Store Goodies!

I’ve found some neat things to share in my ‘treasure hunts’ at the Hospice Thrift Store this week!

I’ve always wanted a set of these handmade linens. I’ve even thought about making some. They are pouches to store or carry your silverware and napkins.

So when I saw these…with beautiful hand embroidery…I snatched them up. ($4 + I got a discount)

And who can resist a soap dish with roses,

made in Cornwall England! ($2 + a discount)

Then when I stopped at the library on the way home, these quilting books were in the ‘giveaway magazine bin’. I don’t quilt….YET! But they have some beautiful photos and some small projects (like pin cushions) inside. And I always give things back when I no longer need or want them.

So that was some of my fun this week. Too hot to get out in nature and we are still having those little pop up showers every day. It makes it hard to plan fun outdoor activities.

Have you been thrift shopping lately? Found anything good?

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

Enter the Wild Side of Florida!

It’s very cool to go to Homosassa Wildlife Park and see all of the wildlife that we have in this part of Florida. And maybe take a walk with a Stork!

It’s quite another to see photos of wild animals captured on motion-activated cameras on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway trail that you hike regularly….by yourself! This article was in the Ocala Good Life Magazine this month and I want to thank them for the article and give them credit for this photo that accompanied the article. When I mention I’ve hiked on the Florida Trails….this is the one I’m on! Keep the camera handy, right? You can read the entire magazine HERE!

The wildlife from Homosassa Wildlife is safer AND easier to capture.

Alligators!

Isn’t that duck brave to swim so close to this big guy!!!

A Florida Cougar.

A small Bobcat.

And a black bear! (we’ve seen bears in the wild!)

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Neighborhood Walk 1, 2 an 3!

I try to walk every evening. I don’t always make it but when I do, I carry my camera and stop at the pond nearby.

These ducks were just starting an evening game of golf! lol

When I save my photos to my computer, I label the files Neighborhood Walk!

I should go back and see how many files I have in each month. Maybe not as many as I would like.

But when you walk, you always see something ‘out of the ordinary!

I saw this car last night. Isn’t it cute!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

Swallow tailed Kites and Soft shelled Turtles

Florida is turning into a jungle with all the rain we’ve had but it sure makes everything lush and beautiful!

My sweet cousin Cindy and I went to Sholom Park one day while she was here. (don’t we all have ‘camera envy’ when we see hers!)

And then another day I went back to walk in an area where I usually see the Swallow tailed Kites.

One of the workers caught up with me on his ATV and asked what I had seen.

He said there were 4 Kites nesting in the trees nearby. I sure would love to see baby Kites, wouldn’t you?

It was funny that when Cindy and I were there we saw hundreds of tadpoles but when I went back a couple of days later, they were all gone.

Food for someone, I’m sure.

In this photo you can see the Koi deep in the water, turtles coming to the surface and tiny fish swimming about. Of course there are lots of birds that stop by to eat at the pond too.

We saw something VERY unusual too!

TWO Soft Shelled Turtles! (here’s one close up)

When I took this pic, the reflection gave it an eerie look!

Spooky!

What have you seen this week? How much rain have you had?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Florida Favs!

Let’s hear it for the BIRDS!

Most people hope to see Flamingos when they come to Florida and it is thrilling to see them in the wild.

But also pretty neat to see them at Homosassa Wildlife Park. They feed them a special diet that enhances their beautiful colors.

My sweet cousin Cindy and I spent the day there last week and that was extra special. Come back SOON, Cindy!

My favorite bird, the Roseate Spoonbill was in a different location and it allowed us to get up close and personal with them.

And take lots of photos!

Look at his feathers!

It was ‘lunch time’ so we got to see what was on the menu!

I did a post with Manatee pics HERE if you missed it!

It was a beautiful day! A bit of rain now but nothing bad here.

Happy Memorial Day!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

Now this is what I call FUN!!!

The weather has been warm and rain free! YAY! So I’ve had lots of fun! Cousin Fun!

My sweet cousin, Cindy came to Florida this week so one day we went to Homosassa Wildlife Park.

I love this wildlife park because all of the animals here live in Florida (except for one! Lu the Hippo has lived here a long time but there aren’t any other hippos here…that I know of! lol)

She was hoping to see the Manatees but the water is so warm now that most of them have gone back out into the rivers and streams.

There are 4 that live in the park though so we got to see them.

Want to see a close up?

 

I love them! And the water is so clear!

Cindy has a really great camera so I’ll steal borrow some of her pics!

I fell in love with this little Green Heron!

A precious tiny Burrowing Owl too!

And she got the best photos of a River Otter that we watched. How fun…and FAST they are!

Lots more to share another day!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Rain Rain, go away, come again…

….when we need it!

We’ve been stuck in a rainy pattern lately. The sun shines, but then the clouds build and it rains. Every day! I know I shouldn’t complain because it’s keeping the temps very pleasant and the roses are blooming their pretty little heads off. It would be nice to space it out though and bring in some cooling showers during the summer months.

Plus I have plans for some fun activities this week! lol I’ll share when….and if I get to actually ‘have some fun’!

I kept trying to get the perfect photo of these raindrops and then hubby came to the rescue with his better camera! Thanks hubby!

It seems like everything depends on the weather.

A Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly photographed on the Florida Trails.

What’s it like where you live this week?

(I know we’re taking time off from Mosaic Monday right now but old habits are hard to break!)

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.