Before heading north, back to Michigan we spent a couple of days on a cattle ranch at the Florida-Alabama border. We had no Internet so couldn’t post anything. This place was wonderful. The ranch/farm was some 300 acres, which we had access to. This was our cabin, which was quite comfortable. and had all theContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Staying on a cattle ranch”
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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 – 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”
Traveling in the South – Apopka Wildlife Drive
The Apopka Wildlife Drive, which is open only on weekends is one of my favorite places to visit when we are in New Smyrna Beach. The birds are rather tame and close to the roads like this Anhinga. Another Anhinga having a lunchtime snack. A Bald Eagle on nest and an Osprey on nest withContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Apopka Wildlife Drive”
Traveling in the south – Sugar Mill Gardens
Live oak covered with Spanish moss (not a real moss but a member of the genus Tillandsia, which makes it a flowering plant. There is also ball moss (another Tillandsia), resurrection fern and some Florida butterfly orchids as well as lichens. This tree is a true ecosystem onto itself. Here is a mix of ballContinue reading “Traveling in the south – Sugar Mill Gardens”
Traveling in the south – some sketches
Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers have been our constant companions the past four days. And they will probably be the most numerous warbler for most of our trip. Once we were in southern pines Pine Warblers became quite common. Yellow-throated Warblers are one of the least common warblers that we’ve had so far. But they should beContinue reading “Traveling in the south – some sketches”
A year filled with orchids
Bearded grass pink in the Florida pan-handle in March. Calypso/Fairy slipper in Mackinac County, Michigan in May. Heart-leaved twayblade in Mackinac County, Michigan in May. Spotted coralroot in Mackinac County, Michigan in May. Obviously May was a great month for orchids in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Yellow lady’s slippers in late may once againContinue reading “A year filled with orchids”
Day-24: Pensacola Florida nature
We started the day with two Common Loons. There were Black-bellied Plovers along the beaches at the state park. As with all winter beaches in Florida Sanderlings were the most abundant shorebirds. Going from the beach to a trail through dune scrub we found an array of songbirds – Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warblers were common. TheContinue reading “Day-24: Pensacola Florida nature”
Day-22: Diverse plants and animals
Our day started with another luna moth as the sun was rising. Then we headed over towards Sopchoppy, Florida in search of plants and animals. An eastern fence lizard was a great start to a warm day in the field. While we were watching the lizard a Red-headed Woodpecker crossed an opening near by. WalkingContinue reading “Day-22: Diverse plants and animals”