(Header Image: Purple Gallinule)
“Work hard to be successful.”
It’s what we tell our kids. We hear it at school. Managers drill it into the heads of the work force. Politicians pretend it can be done by ordinary citizens. Life experience demonstrates that, for the most part, the axiom is accurate. There is considerable evidence to prove the converse is true. Don’t learn the value of labor and one will be reduced to whining and bemoaning the fact that no one will give them anything. Those politicians mentioned above are quick to provide rewards to the lazy in exchange for votes. Once elected, however, promised rewards disappear and massive whining resumes.
Once in awhile, fortune favors the unsuspecting observer. I am a firm believer in another old saying: “The harder one works, the luckier one becomes.” Ever notice rare or unusual bird sightings are often reported by familiar birders? These are the folks who are out in nature often and most readily notice something different in areas with which they are familiar.
So, there I was, shortly after dawn the other day, pausing along the shore of our local patch, Lake Parker Park, being thankful for the ability to breathe deeply the fresh air and bask in the orange glow of sunrise reflecting on the water’s surface. Movement to my right. A female Snail Kite landed in the top of a small cypress tree, her flashing red eyes darting here and there searching for an apple snail on a reed below. Splashing to my left was a Purple Gallinule, oversized yellow feet scrambling across lily pads in search of breakfast.
I only managed a few steps and a small cloud of dragonflies lifted from the brushy border where they spent the night. Ten yards down the path, a Great Egret ignored my approach as she concentrated on a watery buffet table. Young Ospreys screeched overhead as they soared on newly fledged wings and tried to get the hang of crashing into the lake and coming up with a fish.
Less than an hour had passed and I paused to consider how fortunate we are. Sights and sounds we take for granted would be considered incredible by many around the world who do not have such a venue available. Here’s hoping we never forget to accept our natural bounty with humble grace.
From her perch atop a cypress tree near the lake’s shore, this female Snail Kite is in a great position to scan the weeds for apple snails. Our local population of this endangered species has increased over the past few years and I feel certain they are breeding around this lake.
Our weather is warming and the rainy season is around the corner. This combination is producing a bumper crop of dragonflies. A female Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) waits patiently for a meal to appear.
Small and colorful, how can I not adore something called a Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth (Pyrausta tyralis)?
I watched this American Alligator cruise down the middle of the canal and crawl onto the bank. He’s probably about eight feet (2.4 meters) long and still young. As soon as I snapped his picture, he slid back into the water and headed straight for me. I won’t say I walked quickly away, but, I walked quickly away (glancing over my shoulder frequently).
Watching a large water bird such as this Great Egret hunt can be like watching a statue. Their patience is sometimes rewarded with a meal. My patience was rewarded with a terrific experience. (And a photograph.)
Some species of dragonflies seem to almost never perch. Trying to photograph them as they patrol their territory can be an exercise in frustration. One such species is the Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps). Imagine my surprise, and elation (!), to encounter a couple mating right alongside the path!
Gini says the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck always look like they just stepped out of the beauty parlor. Neat, handsome, large and over the past decade around here, very prolific.
Apparently, this Spotted Sandpiper missed her flight to Minnesota. Although we really enjoy seeing her in breeding plumage, as we typically only get to see them in bland gray and white, she best head north soon and hope she can find a nesting spot. Or, perhaps she likes our Florida weather so much, she’s decided to remain for the summer?
When I returned home to a pot of coffee and fresh cantaloupe, Gini asked if I had seen anything special. “The usual”, I answered. “And I didn’t even have to work hard.” Whether you depend on hard work or good fortune (which is often one and the same), we hope you are able to take advantage of your own natural bounty.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Header Image: Great Blue Heron On The Nest)
I keep thinking if I arrive at sunrise the view will be spectacular, what with all that “Golden Light” photographers continuously seek. Unfortunately, the light still reveals the same old dusty roads and converted phosphate mines. Looking at the water is pleasant and the surrounding trees are nice enough, but it is not exactly an “iconic landscape venue”.
Fortunately, the habitat is quite agreeable to a diversity of flora and fauna. But that wide-angle lens is in the pack, just in case.
A revealing exercise in which we regularly engage is the “What would you like to do tomorrow?” game. Interestingly, 99% of the time, we discuss where to go birding. (Or, as Gini has come to call it: birding, blooming and bugging.) Shopping, sight-seeing, visiting nearby Disney World – none of these has ever been discussed. Nature seekers are us. (Oh. The other 1% of the time? Once a month the vote is unanimous to visit our favorite seafood shack.)
Over the years, we have made a somewhat startling discovery. More than a few people in the world have lost their minds. I know! We were surprised, too! What we thought were “sound” values of society have been deemed “old-fashioned” and have apparently been discarded. Things we considered just “common sense” have been ignored and replaced with what we regard as insanity. We have aching necks from shaking our heads back-and-forth.
I blame Darwin. Human evolution bypassed us. We still wallow in the ancient ideas of our grandparents. Society has deemed us obsolete.
It’s okay. Down deep, we always knew we were “different”. It’s just a bit startling to discover at our (very slightly) advanced age that we are “REBELS”!
Our recent REBEL adventure took us all of fifteen minutes from the house to the Tenoroc Public Use Area where, a half-hour before sunrise, we fell in line behind a few fishermen and waited to check in. It always confuses the gate-keeper when we say we’re here to “bird”, as that activity is not on their list (despite the location being touted in the press and on a huge sign AT the entrance declaring this a “Gateway To The Great Florida BIRDING and Wildlife Trail). Sigh. We have modified our response to “hiking” which is immediately understood, we get our pass and off we go. (REBELS chuckling to ourselves that we are actually going “birding”. HA!)
It was an exhilarating morning! A tardy Gray Catbird should have migrated north a couple of weeks ago. Spring has sprung! Nest building and courtship were evident everywhere. Dragons and damsels were active and the morning blooms of Moonflowers decorated the reclaimed mining area.
A weekday morning, up before dawn, excited at seeing a snake on the path and dragonflies mating – we yield to the evidence. We are not — “normal”.
Images to follow. (Surprise! No landscapes, iconic or otherwise.)
A Gray Catbird was a bit of a surprise as most of her group left for the far north several days ago. I guess she wanted one last Brazilian Pepper fruit before the trip.
Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba L.) are also called Tropical White Morning-glory and are night-blooming. We usually see a fair number still blooming in the early morning.
Obligatory American Alligator image.
The Northern Flicker male sports a black moustache while his female partner does not. The second photograph of the female in flight shows why they were formerly called “Yellow-shafted Flicker”.
An Osprey prepared to enjoy a fresh fish breakfast.
The very slender Eastern Ribbon Snake reaches about 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) in length and is not venomous.
One of our more common damselflies is Rambur’s Forktail (Ischnura ramburii). Typical of this family, it can be seen in different color patterns, depending on sex and maturity.
I first spotted this mating pair of Cypress Clubtails (Phanogomphus minutus) while they were flying and getting a picture was a bit of a challenge. (Okay, it wasn’t a challenge. It was impossible.) They decided to land in the middle of the road. I lay down and got dusty, but also got a photo!
There are around 1900 species of Leaf-footed Bug (Family Coreidae) in the world. Almost 100 of them are within the United States. I could guess at this one’s species, but there are several that are similar. Any experts who would care to offer an identification would be welcome!
Darners are among our largest dragonflies but they seem to remain airborne most of the time. This Regal Darner (Coryphaeschna ingens) actually perched for a moment.
We love exploring nature. Whether watching a bird, admiring a flower or getting dizzy chasing a bug, it’s what we enjoy. It is understandable that many listen to us enthusiastically describe a day at the phosphate pits or in the swamp and wander off thinking: “They aren’t normal.”
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Header Image: American Alligator)
(NOTE: We apologize for being away the past few weeks. Computers apparently have a limited life span. Ours exceeded that limit. It took longer than expected to get up and running again. We are back. Rejoice.)
I married well. Not only is my wife talented, intelligent, compassionate, possessed with an uncommon amount of common sense and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen – she is not squeamish. (Remind me to tell you about when she was young and purposely squirted fish blood on her brother’s new girlfriend.) She is a lady, she exudes “class”, she is a role model for girls and women of all ages. She is not, however, a “girly girl”.
Therefore, it was not surprising following a rest stop at the state park, to hear her calmly announce: “There’s a really cool spider on the door handle.” A lesser person may have shrieked and frightened a potential photographic subject. The next several minutes were spent trying to focus on a tiny jumping spider who was more interested in challenging me than in posing.
Spring in Florida is an all-too-brief affair. One day everything is brown as our “winter” fades and without warning trees become green overnight and flowers are scattered across the landscape. Migratory birds check their smart phone calendar and realize they should be in Canada or Pennsylvania building nests and our woods become less busy. Soon, our “wet” season will begin with rolling afternoon thunderstorms.
This day, we celebrate Spring!
There are good reasons we enjoy visiting Colt Creek State Park. It is on the edge of the Green Swamp, boasts a fairly diverse array of habitats, is not too busy during the week and offers our three favorite diversions: birds, blooms and bugs. Did I mention it is only 20 minutes from the house?
“It’s so quiet.” Gini’s understatement while we enjoyed a late breakfast under the pine trees highlighted yet another good reason to be here.
Our morning was filled with whiplash moments as all the birds seemed to be in a hurry. We patiently stalked dragons, damsels and butterflies in the grass and played the “what’s that flower?” game. Noon arrived rudely.
Although we left the park and its wonders behind, the Spring in our step, and our soul, has remained. Memories are wonderful gifts which can be re-opened time and time again.
Oh. I almost forgot. We took some pictures for you.
The Great Crested Flycatcher has returned from wintering in South America and will breed and spend the summer with us. This was likely a male as he was singing almost constantly.
A quick snapshot produced a poor image of a Swallow-tailed Kite, but decided to include it here since he’s carrying a lizard breakfast back to his mate sitting on a nest in some tall tree nearby.
For a butterfly without much color, the Great Southern White (Ascia monuste) is quite attractive.
I suppose it was mean to photograph this Eastern Meadowlark before she had a chance to fix her hair and have coffee, but that’s just the kind of person I am.
A white face, “racing stripes” on the thorax and black and yellow stripes along the abdomen help identify this small member of the skimmer family of dragonflies as a female Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis).
This is probably the first or second instar nymph of the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera). The nymphs are almost all black and in the early stages range from 0.4-0.6 inches (10-15 mm). Adults are bright yellow and orange and are 2-3 inches (6-8 cm) in length.
Despite its common name, the Mexican Pricklypoppy (Argemone mexicana L.) is native to Florida and can be found in most states in the eastern United States. It looks like a thistle and its spiny leaves will leave a mark if you try to pick one of its gorgeous blossoms. “A picture is worth a box of band-aids.”
The Southern Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) is, unfortunately, often mistaken for the venomous Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus), which can appear similar when immature.
Gini The Brave found this little one on the handle to the restroom. It may be a Gray Wall Jumping Spider (Menemerus bivittatus). Less than half an inch (10 mm) long, it moved to face me no matter at what angle I approached. Any help with identification would be welcome!
Here are two different stages in development of a male Little Blue Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax minuscula), one of North America’s smallest dragonflies at around one inch in length (26 mm). When mature, the male will have a blue thorax and abdomen.
Along most paths around water was a profusion of Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium). The blooms are really small but in places it formed a carpet of blue that was incredibly beautiful!
A bright spot in any day is spotting a Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina).
While chasing a damselfly, this Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon) landed in front of me. Another example of nature providing unbelievable beauty in a small package. Its wingspan is only about an inch wide (3 cm).
One of the few moths in our area which is active in the daytime is the Ornate Bella Moth (Utetheisa ornatrix). We are happy it chooses to be up and around when we are!
That damselfly I was chasing above? It was a male Rambur’s Forktail (Ischnura ramburii).
A long reed, a bit of shade, peace and quiet. The formula for a nice nap. We hope to see these little Green Treefrogs (Hyla cinerea) on our next visit.
Spring in Florida may be brief but we certainly enjoy all it has to offer! More springtime birds, blooms and bugs on the way. Find some where you live!
(Please be patient while we attempt to catch up on visiting blogs and responding to queries. The new computer is fast – I, alas, am not.)
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Header Image: Pecan Tree)
Great segments of the land were decorated in pink. Just for us. Narrow dirt roads had been given the color of the interior of a perfectly baked sweet potato. Just for us. Bright blue skies were punctuated with fluffy formations that were enlarged versions of the cotton which will bloom later this summer. Just for us.
The pink in the landscape was due to thousands of peach trees beginning to bloom. We’ll return in the summer for fresh fruit and preserves. The red clay back roads of rural Georgia will have to wait, also, for our return to explore. Family affairs consumed our time and energy on this visit.
Our niece and her husband have a lovely home in central Georgia and we thank them for being such gracious hosts. Several acres of pecan trees provided a restful setting and more than a few helpings of fresh snacks. As I explored, I would grab two freshly-fallen pecans from the ground, crack them open and dig out the sweetest meat any nut could offer. Migrating birds seemed to be everywhere. They were interfering with my foraging.
The bulk of the avian visitors were Yellow-rumped Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, House Finches and American Robins. Several other guests made cameo appearances and after a couple hours of wandering (and munching) I had counted over 20 different species just in the back yard!
Events of the world and the ebb and flow of familial relationships require our attention, sometimes to the point of physical and emotional exhaustion. In such times, it is comforting to know that Nature offers us a source of stability which is calming and refreshing to our souls.
A few images four-hundred miles from home.
A Northern Mockingbird, singing the enthusiastic spring song of love for his mate.
Chipping Sparrows were feeding non-stop as they fuel up for their return to breeding grounds.
Resident birds, such as this Red-bellied Woodpecker, are preparing nesting sites and getting ready to raise new families.
Eastern Bluebirds were also busily carrying nesting material around the yard, singing and generally looking gorgeous while doing it all.
The most abundant bird was the Yellow-rumped Warbler. Literally dozens of them hopped around the yard snatching up all sorts of bugs.
Several dozen American Robins flew over the area during the day and about a half-dozen were in the yard most of the time.
A Tufted Titmouse whistled his clear call and rummaged along a pecan tree poking his bill under the bark hoping to find lunch.
With bright golden eyes, Common Grackles perched atop the tallest trees and loudly proclaimed this was their kingdom!
More bright color in the yard! A Pine Warbler staged from a branch as he plunged into the grass, grabbed a bug and returned to the tree to gulp it down.
Tree inspector. A Downy Woodpecker gives his attention to something he spotted within a broken limb.
High-pitched whistling signaled the arrival of a group of Cedar Waxwings. These handsome birds didn’t stay long as they had a schedule to keep on their way to Canada.
As spring arrives, many birds experience a change in plumage. This Palm Warbler is transitioning from a fairly drab brown non-breeding appearance to brighter, crisper and more colorful feathers.
A few pecans gathered for further sorting.
Take two steps. Gather two pecans. Crack ’em. Eat ’em. Repeat.
Pecans ready to pick.
An old barn on a country road and a very old Ford pick-up truck. It appeared the barn likely housed a cotton gin at one time and was probably also used for grain storage.
Pink was everywhere! A peach blossom promised us a fresh juicy fruit when we return.
It was good to visit with relatives and to have a change from our routine. Observing familiar birds in new settings and seeing different landscapes provided a fresh perspective.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Header Image: Female Painted Bunting)
Time. It doesn’t wait around for us. It seems we were enjoying New Year’s dinner and all of sudden we remarked how wonderful Easter Dinner was!
Just a few days ago, in my mind, the yard was filled with nervous Palm Warblers and Chipping Sparrows combing through the grass for insects. We just realized we haven’t seen one in a week. Our winter flycatcher is no longer singing her name each morning. We miss “Phoe-BE“.
On the other hand, the bright red cardinal gently placed a sunflower seed in his mate’s bill the other day. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are attempting to bully the White-winged Dove from the feeders as they have selected a nesting site nearby. The mockingbird is singing 24 hours a day. Loudly.
Breeding season is in full swing. That means hot weather is just ahead. We thought we had done a lot of birding since Christmas but now it appears we almost missed spring entirely? How does this happen?
I blame time. We stop thinking about it for a minute and – whoosh! – it skips ahead of us and we try to play catch-up. A game we cannot win.
So, today I try to catch up a little bit with a report on a short pre-Spring visit to a small park near the house. Lake Crago Park was initially designed to be a “dog-walk” spot for urban pet owners. Lake Crago is a small lake just north of large Lake Parker and the two are connected by a canal. Dog owners have a nice fence-enclosed area where their canines can run and exercise. The city added a boat ramp where fisher-folk can launch a boat and there is quite a bit of open area for exploring. Recently, the park expanded and opened a recreation center which includes a canoe launch and fishing pier.
With the additional space, one can walk for a couple of hours with virtually no people in sight and travel through several different types of habitat. I have neglected this park for too long and will try to make it a regular spot to check for birds.
This visit occurred on February 3. The morning was cool and clear. Exiting the car, a flock of three dozen American Robins flew over my head and a couple stopped briefly in a tree top for a quick photo. Small flocks of White Ibis and Cattle Egret moved from roosts to feeding areas. Although nothing rare was spotted, I was surprised at the variety and total number of individuals tallied. The morning’s highlight was a female Painted Bunting, a species not usually seen in this particular area. An aerial dogfight between an Eagle and an Osprey was also pretty exciting.
Let’s see: lots of birds, interesting habitat, walked two hours without seeing another human, six minutes from the house … why haven’t I been coming here regularly??
American Robins will be hard to find here after Easter.
It’s hard to resist taking a shot of the moon. Hand-held photo by these shaky hands makes me thankful for “Image Stabilization” technology.
An Eastern Phoebe awaits in ambush for an unsuspecting flying tidbit.
Even in “drab” non-breeding plumage, a Yellow-rumped Warbler is beautiful!
It’s easy to see how the female Painted Bunting was given the nickname “Greenie”.
In a 1784 letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin had some comments about the Bald Eagle (he was not, as some have suggested, opposed to the eagle as a symbol for America, but that’s another story):
“He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly.
You may have seen him perch’d on some dead Tree near the River, where,
too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk;
and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to
his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle
pursues him and takes it from him.”
I managed a few distant shots of a Bald Eagle attempting to steal a freshly caught fish from an Osprey (“Fishing Hawk”). Quite a display! They twisted and turned until out of sight. I choose to believe the Osprey was victorious.
Large and bulky, a Brown Pelican kicks up the water during take-off.
The Roseate Spoonbill suddenly appeared over the tree line and gave me only a small chance to capture its pink plumage.
Just as pretty (said his Mother), a Black Vulture cruised over to make sure I was still breathing.
It may have been hiding in the foliage, but this Gray Catbird was constantly making the little “mewing” calls which earned it the name.
A relative of the above catbird, the brown-eyed Northern Mockingbird hopped up to a prominent perch as I approached and escorted me along the path for awhile to make certain I wasn’t up to anything nefarious.
The canal which connects Lakes Crago and Parker is a fine place for a Great Blue Heron to stand watch.
Trumpeting her approach, an impressive Sandhill Crane passed low overhead, trailing a bit of moss from her last perch.
American White Pelicans in small numbers spend each winter around the cities’ lakes. About every 3-4 years, one lake to the south of town hosts several thousand of these normally coastal birds.
While on the way back to the car, I spotted a Wood Stork headed for an area of flooded woods between the two lakes.
It was good to know security was on the job as the light pole next to the car was occupied by a guard with particularly sharp eyes. Handsome, too, is the Red-shouldered Hawk.
Called Gini to see if she needs anything from the store. “Just you.”
–> Me = Luckiest Man In The World.
Be certain to check out smaller parks in your area. There may be some surprises in store!
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Our Natural Places 