makielb

Traveling in the south – almost to Alabama

On our way to Alabama we stopped at the Blackwater State Forest visiting several sites that had the potential for interesting plants and birds. The dominant warbler of the day was Pine Warbler while the most common woodpecker that we saw was Red-Headed Woodpecker. Blue corporal dragonflies were quite common, especially near the wetlands. MischievousContinue reading “Traveling in the south – almost to Alabama”

Traveling in the South – Alligator Lake and Florida Caverns

At Tom’s suggestion we stopped at Alligator Lake Park on our way west in Florida. It was an excellent suggestion. We walked the Canal Trail and were rewarded with hundreds of warblers which were primarily Myrtle and Palm Warblers but also included Orange-crowned, Northern Parula and Black-and-White Warbler. We found this Polistes wasp, along withContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Alligator Lake and Florida Caverns”

Traveling in the South – Withlacoochee State Game Area

Visiting our friends Tom and Kathi in Dunnellon, Florida is always fun. Yesterday our daily adventure started in the dark at the Withlacoochee State Game Area. Our first birds were Chuck-wills-widow, Bachman’s Sparrow and Bobwhite. These were soon followed with Red-headed Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker then Red-cockaded Woodpecker. All of these were in the darkContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Withlacoochee State Game Area”

Traveling in the South – Our last day at New Smyrna Beach

Yesterday was our last day with Roger and Dawn. On Friday we went to lunch at Our Deck Down Under which is an amazing place to eat. If you pay with cash you got a free 1/2 pound of cooked shrimp – something that was hard to pass on. Even better was watching the AmericanContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Our last day at New Smyrna Beach”

Traveling in the South – weekend humor

There are days when I just didn’t take any photographs or have little to say. I save political cartoons and other bits of humor for times like this. So here it goes. FOTUS as a virus, which he might actually be. An unfortunate comeback. This preventable virus has now spread to Michigan. Keep your kidsContinue reading “Traveling in the South – weekend humor”

Traveling in the South – birds in flight and more

We spent another great day looking at nature, this time with our longtime friends Roger and Dawn. WE were at Orlando Wetlands. This is an Anhinga heading to a nest. Here’s a Northern Harrier looking for food. A Tricolored Heron heading to it’s nest. I learned this bird as a Louisiana Heron many years ago.Continue reading “Traveling in the South – birds in flight and more”

Traveling in the South – Spruce Creek and tacos.

Our day started with an amazing sunrise. This is the view from Ken and Patsy’s front porch where I sat watching Fish Crows and White Ibises leave their nocturnal roosts. It was hard leaving but we were headed to Roger and Dawn’s for the next few days. On the way to Roger and Dawn’s weContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Spruce Creek and tacos.”

Traveling in the South – Longleaf Pine Preserve

We watched an amazing sunrise sipping coffee with our friends Patsy and Ken before heading out on our next adventure to the Longleaf Pine Preserve where we first met in February, 2020. These are two flowering butterworts, which are carnivorous plants. Yellow butterwort is on the left and Blue butterwort is on the right. HereContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Longleaf Pine Preserve”

Traveling in the South – Tiger Bay/Pershing Highway

We spent yesterday on a wonderful trail that was once the road from Deland to Deytona. The center of the trail is red brick. Our friends Patsy and Ken introduced us to this site last year and we all went again this year. It wasn’t very birdy, but I did see two Swallow-tailed Kites whichContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Tiger Bay/Pershing Highway”

Traveling in the South – Halifax river morning

We’re visiting our friends Ken and Patsy in Port Orange. This our morning view where I got to watch lots of ibises and herons fly by. The very brief view of the rising sun before the clouds set in and the rain started. A palm just off of the front porch with a Princess ofContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Halifax river morning”