For some reason these pinecones, stopped by other vegetation from falling to the ground, caught my eye. They are Longleaf Pine tree, pinecones. Big!
A very young Longleaf Pine Notice the looong needles!All grown up Tall, straight and strong, the Longleaf Pine!Mixed in with the Longleaf Pines – the Turkey OakA Stink Bug crossing the roadRed-bellied WoodpeckerWhite-throated SparrowCarolina Jasmine Vine Almost ready to bloom“Want to race Kloudy”, Skye asks“I.am trying, I have shorter legs you know”“I give up”“I’am tried, after my big race” Kloudy“Mom, will you come get this pine needle out of my way” Skye
Photos taken March, 2014 (1st/2nd) at Blackwater River State Park. These are a few of my remaining photos from our visit.
Today, we drove about forty miles to Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, Florida. It was a short and pleasant ride! After setting up and walking the girls, we drove out of the peaceful, treed park looking for some Florida seafood. We stopped at a small restaurant called the Big Fish Grill, which overlooked a marina and enjoyed a delicious late lunch.
We decided after lunch to take a drive. We drove a big loop through Niceville, Fort Walton Beach and Destin arriving back at the park. Whew, lots of traffic, shopping centers, restaurants and high-rise hotels and condominiums!
Before we leave this area, heading west, I want to walk on the beach. I remember visiting Fort Walton Beach with my Mom and younger sister when we were kids; Dad always stayed home. We spent some fun vacations here swimming in the gulf. It sure is different from what I remember; of course that was a long time ago!
Tonight will be chilly, low of 37. Tomorrow we plan to visit an Air Force museum.
A bog along a trailPalm Warbler sitting in a Long Leaf PineSunset on the Blackwater River (As close as it get to one!)I think a Hermit ThrushLife and Death Berry Bushes along a trailOld Bridge leading to Blackwater River Campground. Beach in the foreground.
Ruby-crowned KingletFace of Determination
It was a nice, sunny day today, at Blackwater River State Park, with temperatures hovering around 55 degrees. We spent time outside so things were good! A lot of the trails are covered with water due to heavy rains and river runoff, so we are limited to where we can hike. We saw another Fox Squirrel today, this one black with a white face, but he was too fast for me to get a photo.
This one and a half hour loop trail is covered with river water, in places, making it impossible to hike.
Tonight’s low will be 27 degrees; a little too “cool” for me! Where are our mild temperatures?
A few additional photos of our, February, 2014, visit to Eastbank camp-ground on Lake Seminole. We have moved on, slowly continuing our journey back to Colorado. We had a wonderful time at one of our most favorite places to spend a few days.
One Last SunsetAn Eastern Bluebird sitting in a Sycamore TreeEastbank Campground=Site A01
Kevin, can you spot Howard’s antenna?
As darkness begins to decend; bats are flying around!
Ever try to photograph bats, at night, in flight?
Through the Pines
Camped among these pines were several ladies, perhaps a women’s club, in their RV’s each with at least one Kayak! They were having fun!
A pretty little Palm WarblerEastern PhoebeLate Evening Activity —As we sat and watched, wave after wave of White Pelicans and Cormorants, landed on the lake. Hundreds!
Bald Eagle, between two and five years old. (It takes five years for their head to turn white)
As we continued down the path, on our hike, we see an Eagle circling high in the air. All of a sudden the Eagle tucks its wings and begins to dive straight at the Red-shouldered Hawk. Thank goodness the Eagle does not strike the Hawk.
The Hawk flies up into the air and into the woods, the Eagle gives chase. We never saw the Hawk again. The poor Hawk was only trying to catch one Coot! Gee, so many Coots, why can’t you share?
The Eagle then perches in a tree looking around, we think, making sure the Hawk doesn’t come back into its territory.
The Eagle sits in a tree for a few minutes, which gives me the opportunity to take a few photos.
As the Eagle flies away you get a nice view of the underside of its wings.
This Bald Eagle sure makes a large shadow.
I beautiful Bald Eagle, obviously less than five years old!
I would guess at least 2nd year Bald Eagle.Away it flies
Howard and I were sitting in the coach, talking to my brother on the phone, when I caught a glimpse of something fly past the window. I looked outside, in the direction I saw it flying and spotted this hawk in a tree. I grabbed my camera and tried to get as close as I could hoping to get a photograph. I was able to capture the photo above before it flew.
Red-shouldered Hawk
A little later we decided to take the “girls” for a walk and as we were heading out the coach, Howard spotted the hawk sitting again in the same tree, this time facing us.
I was able to get pretty close to this beauty. It seemed transfixed on something at the edge of the lake, or so it seemed to me. After awhile I began to get worried that it might be ill (it wasn’t).
A beauty sitting in the sun. Why was this hawk sitting so still, ignoring me?What a privilege to photograph this gorgeous hawk.
After spending time taking just a few photos (haha), I decide we need to continue on our hike and I slowly walk away, leaving the hawk sitting in the tree.
As we head down the path, a shadow displays itself, on the ground, in front of us. Looking up we see a big bird flying overhead.
Wolf Song Blog 