Around The Lakes
(Click to enlarge images. Click again to zoom.)
It was mid-November and plans were in progress for Thanksgiving. Family and food. Not enough of the former and too much of the latter. Such is life. We continue to be thankful for both.
For a small break from thinking about all that shopping and planning and shopping, Gini and I made an early morning visit to one of our local patches. The area is dotted with five small lakes and is adjacent to a very large lake. Filling in the spaces between all that water are bits of pine woods, a section of hardwood trees, several weedy fields, a couple of wetland spots and a vast reedy marsh by the big lake. Perfect habitat for a nice variety of birds and other life forms. Even us.
Each lake has a small boat ramp and a few other access points for checking out shorelines and open water. Mild temperatures at this time of year insure an abundance of insects which attract migrating and resident birds. Gini brought along some fruit and we lingered at breakfast enjoying a group of Blue-winged Teal, a Pied-billed Grebe and noisy Gray Catbirds.
A couple of relaxing hours and we were refreshed and ready to return to our rigorous planning duties. Okay. So we went home, had lunch and watched some old t.v. shows together. Which was very rigorous. No, really.
Just at sunrise, a Great Egret waited patiently near a big cypress tree for the buffet to begin.
A Bald Eagle perched atop a utility pole at the entrance gate. This one and its mate are sprucing up their nest from last year and will soon be incubating new eggs.
Small and very active Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were present everywhere we went throughout the morning. Although they breed here, large numbers of migratory Gnatcatchers join the locals each winter.
Gini spotted a light-colored speck in the distance and investigation revealed it was a chrysalis of a Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia). I love those sharp brown eyes of hers.
An immature Red-shouldered Hawk dropped from a nearby tree limb onto a patch of grass. Whatever had caught her eye escaped as she flew up empty-taloned.
Fair numbers of migratory Eastern Phoebes spend the entire winter in this part of Florida.
Tops of dead weeds are pulled together and bound in silk by the female Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) where she then constructs a nest. Eggs produced in October have now hatched and dozens of reddish spiderlings are active under the many watchful eyes of Mama.
Northern Cardinals help add a bit of bright color to the otherwise drab landscape.
Florida’s state bird, the Northern Mockingbird, is quick to alert the neighborhood as we approach a hedgerow.
One of the benefits of our sub-tropical environment is we are able to enjoy butterflies quite late in the year. This Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) on a Tievine (Ipomoea cordatotriloba) was a nice morning highlight. Tievine is also called Purple Bindweed.
Normally associated with coastal habitat, we have a local group of Brown Pelicans which breed in the area. This one was just waking up in a section where we have seen them nesting in previous years.
With so many lakes and coastlines in Florida, the Anhinga is a very common sight. The pale head and neck indicate this is a female or immature male.
Even more benefits of mild weather. We came across a patch of Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata). Although it was in decline, it still showed a bit of its beauty. An Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) found the blooms quite attractive. This plant is also known as Spotted Horsemint.
As we prepared to leave, a Little Blue Heron said we could come back and visit his pad any time. We plan to take him up on the offer.
Thanksgiving is now history and it was a very comfortable day for our family. Spending a day with Gini exploring nature underscored why we are so thankful. Not just at a specific time of year, but at each moment of our lives.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Our Natural Places 
Any chance I can get Gini to teach Linda her skill of spotting great finds!?! What an asset you got there Wally. Nice shot of the Gnatcatcher, those things are hyper as can be and getting a good shot usually requires some higher level of goat yoga. That is a cool looking spider, Linda has suggested they can stay down there ha. The coloring with the lilies and water really complement that LB Heron.
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I keep hoping I’ll inherit some of Gini’s observational abilities by osmosis. No such luck.
Those Green Lynx spiders are really beautiful. Linda would like them once she saw them. Maybe. Surely, she couldn’t resist cuddling a few dozen of those wriggling red spiderlings?
Thank you so much for the nice comments.
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Did I wish you both a Happy New Year yet? Well here it is.
I have been pre-occupied with festivities and family things to bother with blogging, even following tried and trusted friends. Apologies.
I reached for my tape measure to see what a 20inch tortoise might look like. Quite impressive.
I have many times been both delighted and mystified to watch bird roosts, sometimes to wait as the birds found their way into our carefully researched and set mist nets. Redwings, Blackbirds, Swallows and finches (Chaffinch and Linnets). The thrill of seeing overhead wires bent down by 10 -20 thousand Swallows and then the three hour job of processing a couple of hundred – ring, sex, measure, scribe and release into the gathering dark. Back home for midnight. Now we have very few roosts, Swallows or otherwise. There just aren’t the numbers.
Enough of the doom and gloom. We have Starmergeddon to come, you a real President again. Enjoy 2024.
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We felt your New Year’s wish in spirit. Or perhaps because of spirits. In any case, thank you and Happy New Year to you as well.
Taking time to blog should be one of our lower priorities in life. Festivities and family things first and foremost. If our friends are really tried and trusted there is no need for apologies.
Although, our feelings were badly damaged. We shall simply keep calm and carry on.
That particular turtle is usually submerged except for its head so we may have been seeing giants all along and didn’t know it.
Even though our particular flycatcher roost only sees a handful of birds, that delight and wonder is still enjoyed. I admire your perseverance in the ringing process. An unsung hero in my opinion.
Yes, let’s diminish our outward gloomy and doomy attitudes and just not worry and be happy! Although, a “real” President is still just a hope at this point. And as for Sir Keir, what are your alternatives?
Wait, I almost doomed and gloomed. I am happy! No. Really!
Gini and I are having a great start to this New Year. We have been birding 3 out of the 7 first days so that’s not bad.
We both hope all the best for you, Sue, your family and all the birds waiting to wear your jewelry this year.
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That green lynx is really something – loved your phrase “keeping her eyes on them”. Am I seeing things, or did you capture a black and white and red spider in the upper right of that mama lynx photo?
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Thanks, Sam. Love those spiders.
I looked through other images and can’t make out enough detail to tell if that’s a spider. It would be VERY unusual for any other bug to be that close to her nest as Mom is extremely quick about chasing away or eating intruders.
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Your Little Blue Heron capture is gorgeous!
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It was so nice of him to pose on his pad.
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It does look like a perfect getaway from holiday stress, though I hope your holidays were more joyful than stressful and I’m sending wishes for a happy and healthy 2024.
All the best,
Tanja
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We have pretty much learned to be more joyful than stressful most of the time.
We appreciate your good wishes and hope you and your family have a Great New Year’s celebration filled with a healthy dose of Gemütlichkeit!
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Vielen Dank!
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The horsemint has been so fragrant this year. You can smell the minty fragrance before you see the plant! Love the early morning photos and the fun of breaking away from ‘chores’ to enjoy nature! Happy New year to you both!
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Thank you, Diane.
That patch of horsemint was not present a couple of weeks before I took those pictures. It was quick to appear, bloom and begin to die back. That aroma persisted, though, and was just terrific.
Truth be told, nature always wins out over chores.
Wishing the best for our coming New Year.
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Just a brief visit, Wally, as I’m a bit snowed under at the moment – this blog post from you has lifted my spirits considerably – thank you.
I was particularly wowed by the spectacular Variegated Fritillary chrysalis and Green Lynx Spider.
My very best wishes to you and Gini for 2024 – – – Richard
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Thank you for taking the time to comment, Richard. I know you have a very full plate just now.
We’ll try to offer a ray of sunshine and a butterfly or bird as often as possible. You don’t need to comment as we shall consider them “therapy for your soul”. No charge.
Gini and I truly wish a New and Improved Year for us and You and Lindsay! Cheers.
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I laughed aloud at that cardinal. Speaking of glances, I’ve rarely seen one so speculative.
I do love the Green Lynx, but I’ve never seen the spiderlings. That’s a fascinating photo; it’s especially interesting that the markings of the adults already are visible on the young ‘uns. What I have seen recently is a Little Blue Heron. There’s one that’s been fishing from the rocks lining a bulkhead at a marina where I’ve been working. He’s been there for three days, so next week I’m going to take my big camera and try to get a photo of him.
A few random notes: also last week, I spotted bindweed in bloom on a fence, but no butterfly was visiting. I always admire your ability to find flora and fauna so nicely paired. I’m sure you’ve mentioned that the Northern Mockingbird’s your state bird, but I’d forgotten. It’s a great choice, although I’ve always laughed at the fact that I never knew the bird until I moved to the south. I just learned that their original range was in the south, and that they began moving northward in the early 1900s. (Insert humorous aside: I wonder if the climate changed?)
Of course I have to mention that metallic chrysalis. It looks like something out of Star Wars. What a find! ~ my compliments to Ms. Sharp Eyes!
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Birds really seem to exude personality at times. I know. It’s just me. Birds can’t really “look speculative”, but our brains certainly can think so.
As I walked around that spider’s nest, I realized Mom was moving to remain between me and the kids. I took a couple of quick shots and backed away to avoid causing her any more stress.
Looking forward to portraits of a Little Blue Heron on the rocks.
I don’t recall ever referring the Mockingbird as “northern” until I began “officially” birdwatching. That chrysalis is always a fun discovery. You’re right. Looks like some sort of alien space escape pod. Which, I guess, it sorta is.
Gini’s sharp eyes are one of my greatest assets.
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So you were needy for reedy, and ever ready to make space for a nature place.
It’s “share, share alike” for Texas and Florida regarding spotted beebalm and purple bindweed. Same for the cardinal and green lynx that some see as putting forth holiday colors associated with this time of year.
The metaphorically minded might wonder whether sharp brown eyes could deliver a cutting glance.
Looking forward to your finds for 2024.
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Thank you for the kindly arranged words, Steve.
As to a cutting glance, no metaphor has been noted in past incidents. Early on, I purchased stock in Band-Aids which has allowed for a comfortable retirement. Except for the fresh, ouch, wounds.
Here’s to a New and Improved Year for us all.
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Today I will pick the silvery chrysalis as my favourite shot. Although the whole post is filled with lovely critters.
Happy New Year and lots of new captures! 👋😊
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That chrysalis reminded us of some sort of jewel set in a necklace of spider web.
Happy New Year to you, too!
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Thanks.
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shopping and planning and shopping, and shopping and cooking have their place. For someone else. Thank you and Gini so much for this delightful interlude.
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You are very welcome, EC.
Interludes are our specialty.
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