Setting Sun shines its beautiful light on this old tree
Upon this tree stately and old,
the setting sun shines,
its beautiful evening glow.
~
If only it could whisper,
sharing with us its history,
how it once prospered.
~
The fires it endured,
storms it embraced,
visitors it allured.
~
Tell us why fate,
left you in your current state,
no longer thriving and slightly out of shape.
~
Standing tall with determined will,
striking in appearance this evening,
receiving visitors still.
~
We woke up this morning to rain falling on our roof. It rained all day. So, our day was spent inside, which can be a struggle for me. No long walks, no photos taken, no bird watching and one spent without the warmth of the sun.
We did have a first time visitor to our “back” yard this morning, a Hermit Thrush taking a bath in a puddle. Sadly, no photo! This week our backyard is Site 017 at Blackwater River State Park.
We resolved ourselves to spend the day inside. I had prepared a Seafood Gumbo the other day and froze the leftovers. Today, I defrosted the Gumbo, added more Shrimp, some Snow Crab I picked up yesterday from the Milton, Winn-Dixie and a handful more Okra. You can’t have Seafood Gumbo without the Okra!
While the Gumbo simmered on the stove, I looked through my photos to see if I could find one to post. The above photo, taken in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, back in January is the one I choose.
I love this old tree. In this photo I love how the setting sun highlights its character. It might be dead; however it provides a home for many a critter, including my beloved Scrub Jays.
The Seafood Gumbo was delicious! I served it over rice, with hot french bread and a good wine! We might be in northern Florida, but we sure ate like we were in the heart of Louisiana!! We noticed while in Winn-Dixie that they were selling King Cakes; we should have brought one home for dessert.
Late this afternoon, after our early dinner, we did manage a walk. The rain finally stopped bringing much cooler temperatures.
We headed out the door wearing jackets and hats. Syke and Kloud enjoyed our walk much more than we did. They ran and ran, jumped and ran some more, wanting to play, loving the cool air and the break from being cooped up inside.
Tonight’s low will be in the 30’s, whats with that!
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 