Roving the Bailey Tract

It's January in S.W. Florida, it is mild and sunny - visitors are happy and are enjoying the scenery.....this makes for great connections.

The trails by mid afternoon on the other hand seems to be a bit quiet but when we pay attention, it's amazing what can be discovered.

This Phoebe stayed on that branch while watching people zooming by on their bicycles.

Along the Sanibel River I noticed some activities within the trees - out of prying eyes a Yellow-rumped Warbler was preening until he realized he had company - he looked at me as if saying: "Can I help you with something?"

And lucky for me, I was able to watch a Black-and-white Warbler sitting still for a few seconds....

what a delicious treat this was! Black-and-White are notorious for being in constant motion, moving along the bark and consuming insects as if there would be none tomorrow.

This is a male - he is heavily streaked and sports  dark cheeks and throat.

Minding his own business by the South Dike was the regular Great White Egret.

An American Bird Grasshopper aka American Locust.

I stayed and watched it for a while, not quite sure what it was doing - however at the end of its tail seem to be several pinchers that moved at clearing the ground - it reminded me of an alien in form.

It stayed in the middle of the path and avoided any and all collisions with bicycles as they went by - until he had enough excitement and flew into the bushes.

Here's an interesting event taking place on a Thistle - this plant not only serves as a landing pad for butterflies doing their duties but also seems to be a temporary home for the Leaffooted Plant Bug (stinkbug family) and a seven spotted lady bug larva - I think.

A Slider - basking...its main activity, really.

This log looks good enough for two - I'm still researching the name of that second turtle - any help would be appreciated.

A Stickbug - in its lifetime - it stands erect just like a stick, moving ever so slightly....so much so that it easily eludes the passerby, unfortunately for this guy - the passerby didn't miss.

It's time to wrap it up - and what better ending than a Tiger Moth landing nearby!

Re-visiting Lakes Park

What a nice greeting! This little starling welcomed me to the park as well as many Mockingbirds - tried as I may to capture the mockingbirds, my camera just wasn't ready as it just kept on fogging up on me.

This Geiger Tree was in full bloom and the bright colorful flowers just called my name.

Then I came upon a family of Blue Jays which were busy with their feeding - I always enjoy spotting them and I had forgotten how beautiful they are....interestingly enough I don't get to see them in my neighborhood.

Awww....who would have thought that a Black Vulture would be a loving mate?
 Somehow we don't think of those birds as being caring yet they are a fascinating subject - and they do play a very important part in our world.

I am in search of the name of this particular plant - as I love it's striking effect and the fact that it is so unusual. This above photo shows the different stages.....flower, fruit and seed. After being at Ding Darling this afternoon - I found the answer to my inquiry and it turns out to be a "Buttonbush" - it's in the coffee family.

Here's a close up of the flower ball.

And here's a close up of the fruit which apparently is being tasted by a Leaf-footed Bug.

And this lovely dragonfly kept on buzzing by and it finally settled down for long enough so that I could see it up close and personal....love, love, love that blue color with the green head.

As all good things come to an end - I started making my way back when I noticed the rainbow effect that the water fountains were producing - just awe-mazing......I looked at it as my farewell till the next time.

The White Peacock came over and said: Goodbye.

Here is the link to my E-Bird list for that visit.