Glossy Ibis Perched in a Tree

While birding this week we saw several Glossy Ibis. At one point, some of them flew and perched in a nearby tree, joining a Little Blue Heron who decided he didn't want the company and left. I photographed three of them, first sitting there and then preening. I found out later that apparently perching in a tree is not normal behavior for the Glossy Ibis.

We walked on continuing our bird count, so I can't say for sure how long they remained in the tree.

Birds enjoying lunch

The title says it all.

 Commorant eating a large fish at Homossasa State Park. The water around the underwater observatory teemed with fish, probably because of the cold weather that day and the prior week. It took him a while due to the fish size, but he swallowed it.

Great Egret enjoying an unnamed lizard. We passed him on our way toward the eagle nest at Honeymoon Island State Park, and on the way back found that his lunch search bore fruit.

Eco Walk at Crystal River

Did anyone mention the weather? Even here in usually sunny central Florida the weather since late December kept us inside more than outside, and at home rather than taking road trips in the RV. Recently, Florida boasted it alone of the 50 states had no snow on the ground. That cannot be translated as "good weather" however.

This week things finally moderated, we woke to gentle or no wind rather than the howling, icy feeling north winds, and temperatures actually climbed into the 70s, hovering near 80 yesterday. At 6 a.m. we  packed the RV for a day trip and headed north to Crystal River Eco Walk for a much needed nature fix. After a wonderful, as usual, breakfast at the Boathouse Restaurant we parked at Eco Walk and headed out the trail. A posted note warned that the trail flooded between the first and second bridges on 2/11/14, so we knew we may not be completing the loop. No matter, we wanted to hike.

With the cold nights, many in the 30s in Citrus County, vegetation died back and flowers appeared only occasionally. The thistle plants, while small, look healthy and always attract a large number and variety of butterflies once they bloom. I decided to try an abstract on one.

I love the purple color, and the pattern formed by the prickly leaves. These grew all along the path.

We heard many birds, and saw numerous Yellow-rumped warblers. Many American Robins flew in and out, but didn't allow us to get close. This one peered at me around a blade of grass, then took off.

We did turn back after the first bridge. While not flooded, the trail went from mushy to mucky. After our hike, we went back to Crystal River and parked in the historic district to visit The Shoppes of Heritage Village. We noticed them whenever we drove through, but had not stopped before. It is a nice walk, the shops are nice, the galleries full of the work of talented artists, and several interesting restaurants are now on our list to try.

As the weather hopefully improves and we get out more often, the blog will return to a regular posting schedule.

Underwater Observatory at Homossasa Springs State Park

We took friends from out-of-town here a couple of weeks ago. The sun came out, but the north wind continued making for a colder than normal day. Many manatees flocked to the river to take advantage of the constant 72 degree temperatures, and so did many fish. From the underwater observatory:

Black-crowned Night Heron at Creek, Eastern Meadowlark in Field

Portraits of the Week:

Brooker Creek Preserve: Cute Baby Gray Squirrel

We led a photography hike at Brooker Creek Preserve last Saturday. The hole made last year by the Pileated Woodpecker, then taken over when abandoned by an Eastern Screech Owl for a few weeks had a new resident: a baby gray squirrel. As we watched him, he suddenly stretched out and yawned!

After that big yawn, he went back to watching us watch and photograph him!