Ole stomping ground

It is good to reconnect to my field roots - it brings me peace and serenity and right now I need it in addition to food and water in order to survive, come along and see how relaxing the Bailey Tract and its surrounding can be - especially first thing in the morning....

I've seen many Marsh Rabbits along the trails of the Bailey Tract - however they are usually down on all fours while chewing on grass and not standing tall like it is here.

Of course a customary look at the Magic Tree is in order and it did not disappoint - A Cardinal and a Great Crested Flycatcher stood alert while the Pileated Woodpecker whizzed on by.

I know that the Cardinal is a common sight but what's not to love about this scarlet coat and black mask!

A Red-bellied Woodpecker in his Tree House - well truth be told - it's actually a Christmas Vine and it surely caught my attention.

Shocked!! This is not something that I've seen before - a river Otter walking away with its soft shell turtle - who knew they ate turtle too!

This one made me sad - let me explain....the Anhinga has sharp teeth along its bill and they all point toward the throat - it's perfect for flipping a fish down the hatch after stabbing it however if they try to eat fish that hang around docks with ropes - the Anhinga is bound to get some rope stuck around its bill....luckily for this guy he's figuring out how to eat his fish by bringing it to shore, stabbing it repeatedly and somehow swallows bits and pieces....sometimes life hands you lemons, the trick is to learn how to make lemonade out of it.

Green Herons are everywhere now - it also coincides with nesting and raising young ones - in a few months they'll be harder to spot.

Here's another view of my challenged Anhinga - on the left is a gator.

See what I mean, the rope material is blocking the hatch.

A very young soft-shell turtle floating lazily among the fishes.

The Black-necked Stilts were happily foraging while the parents kept a close eye for protection.

They grow up so quickly and before we know it they'll be going south by the end of July/August and won't returned until March.

The Common Ground Dove - our smallest dove.

A Little Blue Heron in its Calico phase - by next year it'll be all blue.

A young Tricolored Heron was nearby too....

and then they crossed paths.

And this is just what the doctor ordered because while I watch nature unfold before my eyes there is no room for anything else.....until the next time.

 

The Bailey Tract - continue

TGIF and it's a free day to do what I like to do....and off to the Bailey Tract I go!

A Green Heron turned out to be my first photographed subject today.

And lucky for me - it came really close to where I was standing. It's interesting how there are so many during the summer but come winter time and we really have to look hard to find one.

A Red Cardinal should be called a Christmas Bird with its brilliant red coat.

Talking about 'red', this Brazilian Pepper bush is looking healthy and striving through the native vegetation.

A peek-a-boo play by the Common Gallinule.

And look who I bumped into today - Jim, the president of the San-Cap Audubon group with Phillis and his daughter-in-law Debbie.

An Osprey was just around the corner vocalizing with another - it will soon be mating season.

And as predicted I found the bright male Anhinga in its usual spot.....birds are creature of habits just like we are.

A singing Phoebe redirected my attention as I..

was on my way out, further down the lane the Great Blue Heron bid me farewell.

It was an enjoyable morning even though I failed to locate the Smooth-billed Ani.....maybe one of these days in the very near future.

 

Pond Apple Trail and retention Ponds

I had a great time this morning exploring the Pond Apple Trail and the retention ponds area, the birds have slowly returned and it is a welcome sight! Come along and enjoy the view.....

I was promptly greeted by the Red-shouldered Hawk.

It was quite a sight to see some of the birds flying through the maze of branches and leaves - I soon realized that they were getting an early bath - the Great-crested Flycatcher is looking a bit damp afterwards.

Along the retention pond I heard these 'gurgling' sounds which led me to a pair of Marsh Wren, they were quite entertaining.

And across the path I found a silent House Wren

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher probably comes second to the Hummingbird as far as speed is concerned, it's hard to pin them down.

A young Black-crowned Night Heron was seen coming out from the thick vegetation.

The Wood Stork with its lovely pink feet - this one is young with its pale bill and fuzzy head.

This Brown Pelican duo were seen flying and eating together.

While by the bank, a Great Blue Heron was quite satisfied with its latest catch.

The Palm Warbler seemed curiously interested.

This will take some time to get it down.

A Pied-billed Grebe with a Tricolored Heron were watching from afar.

This is quite a catch and a Cormorant wanted some of that....

It's a bird eat fish world out there - the survival of the quickest....

or maybe the biggest.

There's plenty of fish for everyone, Osprey included.

"You do not see me, I am part of the fence".

It's fish time for the Stork now.

Then it's resting time....does it have to be in the poison ivy?