standing at water’s edge in the early morning light,
as you watch the gulf waters churn.
With waves pounding the shore,
luring you with its rhymed verse,
hunger and fading light brings signs of yore.
~
Back in October, 2014…
As I walked along the shore, hoping to watch the sunrise, I came upon this Sandwich Tern. He, just like me, was all alone on this particular morning and together we watched the day begin.
I think this is an adult non-breeding bird. Notice the yellowish bill tip.Enjoying an early morning bath in the GulfJumped right in.This Sandwich Tern gave me a gift on this morning; he was number 375.
Sharing with:
`Eileen at Viewing Nature with Eileen for Saturday’s Critters
Red-bellied Woodpecker (female). Photo taken at Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, Florida.
I have been looking for the book The Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition for awhile now. Today, I finally found and purchased this lovely birding guide. I was specifically searching for the re-printed second edition.
I am very happy to add this book to my birding library. Howard kiddingly asks me, “How many bird books do you need?” I reply, “One can’t have too many!”
Blue-headed Vireo
On February 27, 2015 I saw and photographed the little song bird in these photos. It was flitting around hunting for bugs and didn’t stay still long. At first I just assumed it was a Solitary Vireo, which I first saw in Colorado in 1986.
Tonight, while looking through my new bird book, I discovered that the Solitary Vireo as been divided into three separate species:
(1) Plumbeous
(2) Cassin’s
(3) Blue-headed
This Blue-headed Vireo has been added to my Birding Life List at number 385.
Large head, short bill, dark gray head, white spectacles, belly and throat, yellowish flanks.
Until next time…
Sing your heart out!
Beautiful little song bird; averages one phase every 2.5 seconds.
Lake Louisa State Park, located near Clermont, Florida, has many acres of old-growth Orange Groves, some bordering the main road into the park. Presently, these groves are non-producing, but provide great habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Recently, some of these trees have been uprooted and stacked in piles as you can see in the photo below.
Uprooted Orange Trees. Rows and rows of them.
I wish the park’s management will allow some of the piles to remain for the wildlife seeking refuge, but I tend to believe they won’t. Better yet, why don’t they plant new trees in their place. They don’t have to replant orange trees.
This is what the field looked like on December 26, 2014 as they began uprooting the trees..
Anyway “Lets Talk Turkey”
Late one evening about one week ago, leaving the guys behind, my friend Karla and I decided to jump in the car and head out in search of a pair of American Kestrels. We had been seeing them daily, when driving in and out of the park.
The Kestrels had been hanging around some of these mangled piles of orange trees, perhaps getting ready to build a nest. They would sit on one of the tallest points of the stack, probably looking for food. I wanted to capture a photo of them.
On this particular evening we didn’t see the American Kestrel pair, I think it was too late in the day, but we did see this gorgeous couple, along with seven other females, coming out of the woods to forage before roosting for the night. They were pretty far away so my photos aren’t the best. The guys missed out!
To learn more about our Wild Turkeys go to http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/wild-turkey/.
Wild Turkey Pair
Until Next Time
Stay Frisky
Maybe she is saying, “pick me instead of her”.
I am sharing this post with Eileen, Viewing nature with Eileen for her Saturday’s Critters at http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/2015/02/saturdays-critters-63.html
We left our campsite at Silver Springs State Park, River Camping Area and drove the short distance to the Springs. Our friends Karla and Larry were with us and we enjoyed a few hours of hiking. Below are some of the critters we were lucky enough to see.
Anhingas prefer freshwater habitats and often are seen perched on branches or stumps. This is exactly where we spotted this beautiful male.
Anhinga. Silvery white spots and streaks on wings and upper back.Ruby-red to scarlet eyes, long thin neck, long pointed yellowish bill, black plumage with a green gloss.During breeding season the male acquires pale, wispy plumes on upper back.
This little squirrel seemed to welcome us to Silver Springs. He jumped up on this fence and told us a story.
This Florida Red-bellied Cooter was enjoying a sunny day at the Springs.
This guy was watching us from his home near the shoreline.Way out in the river this BIG guy was sunning himself along with a friend.
A lazy day on the river.
Cypress Trees out in the river.
Almost missed these beauties; I spotted them as we were driving away heading back to camp.
Hooded Merganser, male. White head patches are fan-shaped. Black head, blackish bill, chestnut sides and white breast.Smallest native North American merganser with the largest crest. Numbers increasing, due to use of nesting boxes. His lady in the foreground.In breeding season, found on woodland ponds and rivers. Winters on fresh water. Swims under water using both feet and wings.
Looks pre-historic; did you catch him in the photo above?
Wolf Song Blog 