Thursday, July 2, 2015

Disney Wilderness Preserve

I am linking up with Skywatch Friday  and Good Fences
I hope you can join in on the fun and share your fence scenes and pretty skies.

Happy Canada Day ( a little late, sorry) to my Canadian blogging friends.  And I wish everyone in the USA a happy 4th of July. 


For this week's Good Fence and Skywatch Friday memes I am sharing more of our Florida trip. On this afternoon we took a drive to the Disney Wildlife Preserve in Kissimmee. It is not your usual Disney Park, the 11,500 acre property was transferred to the Nature Conservancy to preserve and restore the wetlands and is part of the Everglades ecosystem. They have a program to help the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker on the preserve. I read that the woodpeckers are doing well in the pine habitat. The Wood Stork and families of Sandhill Cranes, Crested Caracara, Bald Eagles and other birds can be seen at the preserve.


 One of the first birds I saw at this preserve were the Eastern Meadowlarks. They are beautiful birds, I love their bright yellow colored chest.



For Skywatch Friday I have a view of the trees, wetland and marsh and a pretty sky.

I like this old Walt Disney quote I found. It seems very fitting even for the present time.

"Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future"  Walt Disney.


For my Good Fence entry a view from the overlook of the trail and wetlands on the Disney Wilderness Preserve. We saw some pretty clouds and blue sky during our visit.


The Mockingbirds were common birds seen all around the preserve and in Florida. This Mocking bird posed nicely on the post for me.


Another one for my skywatch, it was a hot day and we wished for some cloud cover for our walk on the trail.


Some fence scenes from around the Preserve's visitor center, the pond, swallowtail butterfly and heading out of preserve we saw some cows on the field. It is a conservation area with both working and protected lands. This preserve is also listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail. If you are ever in the area I suggest visiting and taking a walk on one of the trails.


 I hope you enjoyed my post and photos. Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comments.


To see more pretty skies from around the world please visit  Skywatch Friday
and check for more fence shots at Tex's Good Fences

Thanks to Theresa @ The Run*A*Round Ranch for hosting Good Fences and thanks to Sylvia, Yogi  and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday.    I wish everyone a happy day and weekend ahead..


90 comments:

  1. WOW! Eileen that looks like a great place to wander round and you have captured the views, birds and butterfly so well. Love the collages.

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  2. The trail walk, a wide mown path to wander along, what a wonderful place to visit.

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  3. Dearest Eileen; Oh, I LOVED all the varieties of photographs. Eastern Meadowlarks really look elegant with great color coordination and how cute the Mockingbird is on the post♫♫♫ Great sky shot and the swallowtail butterfly is gorgeous! Love the fence photos too(^_^)v
    Have a great coming 4th of July☆☆☆ 
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

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  4. São todos muito lindos e as fotos, mais uma vez, bem fotografadas! Lindas! beijos, ótimo dia! chica

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  5. Beautiful pictures Eileen!
    Mostly I love the last mosaic,
    the one on top right I would
    love to see in full, it's
    just gorgeous :))

    Have a wonderful day!
    Tinna ✐

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  6. Amazing captures once more, Eileen.
    Love the mockingbird and swallowtail butterfly shots, as always something new to learn from you, merci!

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  7. Always such a challenge to pick a favorite of your photos. The bright yellow of the first bird is very nice.
    Blessings.

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  8. Great area and wonderful birds!
    Greetings from Germany

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  9. What a treat to see the Eastern Meadowlark. Mostly I just HEAR them. ;))

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  10. You got such beautiful shots! I have not been to Florida in quite some time.

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  11. Oh my where do I begin?!! Beautiful scenes...all over. From the fenced outlook, to the cattle and everything in between. I too love the meadowlarks...for their song!!!

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  12. wow, such gorgeous sights!! i always think i will remember the Canada Day ... because it is so close to our 4th of July ... & ever year it gets here & i am usually late saying happy day to my Canadian friends. so fun!! ( :

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  13. love the mocker percher. i love when the meadowlarks come through here, too. they spend a few weeks prowling around our fields.

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  14. Oh my gosh, your photo of the Mockingbird, so sweet, and your capture of it, is priceless! Love his/her view, and so accommodating for you too! That's the best part, lucky you. Enjoy your celebrations this weekend for the fourth!

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  15. The Eastern Meadowlark truly is a beautiful bird.
    You always find such wonderful sightings!

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  16. the preserve is beautiful and I am glad to hear they saved it for all the wild life. that Disney quote fits what bob and i were talking about this morning. the changes in the past 10 year and 20 years are amazing and everything is changing more rapidly every day

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  17. oooooh eileen what an amazing place to spend time and wonder around. beautiful images of the sandhill cranes!!!

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  18. I found the swallowtail butterfly interesting Eileen. Looks a beaut place to visit. The meadowlarks certainly are a beautiful bird. As usual a great selection of shots. Enjoy your weekend.

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  19. On what a beautiful place. Love your photos. B

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  20. Oi Eileen, uma imagem mais linda que a outra!
    Que lugar incrível!
    Beijos, tenha um excelente dia.

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  21. Always a joy traveling around with you. Seldom see a woodpecker around here anymore.

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  22. Oh, wow, this looks like a great place....I have yet to photograph a meadowlark. There are lots of them at the strip pits but they take flight before I can get close. The one we had around home were not that wild.

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  23. So many pretty pictures to choose from so I'll say I like them all.

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  24. Hi Eileen, beautiful views and skies. Love the meadow larks and the mocking birds. You always have the best collages too.
    What a wonderful place to visit and explore.
    Have a Happy 4th of July!
    cm

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  25. That's a neat shot with the mockingbird.

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  26. Lovely post of a lovely place , nice to see the birds and the swallowtail butterfly is a stunner..
    Amanda xx

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  27. Charming place to walk. They are birds with a pretty yellow color, butterflies and pond with lilies. It had to be there. Greetings.

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  28. Hi Eileen, Loved this quote: "Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future" Walt Disney ... Wonder what Walt would think about things today? Neat pics, as always. Thanks for sharing and a happy 4th of July to you and yours.

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  29. Beautiful pictures indeed.

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  30. The Meadow Larks are usually hard to spot, even with their bright yellow chest. They are usually hanging on to a thin stalk in a field and blend right in. You only know to look for them because of their wonderful song. I visited the Disney Wilderness Preserve way back when it first opened. It is indeed a wonderful place to go to enjoy nature.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  31. Hello Eileen,
    Beautiful pictures and collages.
    Beautiful place to stay.
    Best regards, Irma

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  32. I had no idea that Disney created a nature preserve. I guess I shouldn't be surprised! Love your shots of the eastern meadowlark.

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  33. great shots and i especially love the mocking bird on the post! have a safe and happy 4th!

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  34. What lovely shots!

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  35. A lovely walk, and my favorite is the meadowlark. So pretty.

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  36. A feast for the eyes this morning. Enjoyed viewing all your images tremendously. :-)) Can't pick a favorite, too many to choose from.

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  37. Very enjoyable post. - I always enjoy birds that have yellow plummage for some reason, I guess they just look cheery.
    Some beautiful skies, aren't white puffy clouds so pretty.
    Lovely place to enjoy nature. The shot of the mocking bird on the fence post was really nice.

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  38. Excellent photos and collages from your nature walk across marshes and wetlands... I love such trails and the visitor certain also look prettier with neat fence.

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  39. What a beautiful preserve. I love the Meadowlarks.

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  40. What a wonderful place to go through. Lots of great photos. The Western Meadowlark is the Kansas state bird. Have a terrific weekend, Eileen. Mickie :)

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  41. Hi Eileen, I have never been to the Disney Wilderness Preserve. I shall put it on my "Want to see" list. Have a great day!

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  42. I like your mockingbird shot.

    I was so close to getting one yesterday...it flew away like usual, but was in the process of capturing a cicada, so it came right back. I almost got cicada vs. mockingbird (spoiler: mockingbird won).
    ~

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  43. Such great shots. I love the yellow bird. And capturing that butterfly was fabulous. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for coming by and visiting! Have a great weekend.

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  44. looks like a lovely place for a walk! Great photo of the mocking bird and the larks are beautiful!

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  45. Beautiful place and lovely skies to match!! Great captures for the day as always, Eileen!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!! Enjoy!!

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  46. Hi Eileen, always so beautiful photos! Thank you for remembering Canada Day! My oldest son is at the University of Toronto after six years in New York)). Hugs.

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  47. Great pics today! Love that Eastern Meadowlark. You know, I don't think I've ever seen one in the wild. Guess I need to go somewhere and look for one. Always have loved mockingbirds.

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  48. Very nice ! I love the yellow bird !

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  49. Hello Eileen,
    Very nice post. Great that bird with the wonderful yellow breast. So special. The shot of that Mockingbird is very nice too. Nice that he will pose for you on that pole.

    Many greetings,
    Marco

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  50. Wonderful series of shots! I think the Disney quote is perhaps even truer now, given how quickly things seem to be changing these days. Have a happy 4th.

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  51. Nydelege images.
    Especially pictures of birds !

    Have a nice weekend.

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  52. Did not know Disney has a wildlife preserve. I too like the mockingbird. Is it the same as the mockingjay?

    Happy 4th of July.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  53. I am sure you had a wonderful time walking, searching and getting these great photos! Love this cute birds!
    Jemma

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  54. Beautiful view of the wetlands and skies. And love the bird collage highlighting the colours and the design on the bird feathers.

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  55. The Meadowlarks are definitely good looking! Great photo of the Mockingbird!

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  56. Lovely sky shots for SWF ~ love the puffy clouds!

    Happy Weekend,
    Happy Fourth of July to the USA
    artmusedog and carol

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  57. Love the swallowtail butterfly and the mockingbird on the fence post!

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  58. Any time I have been to Florida I have enjoyed the birdlife so much! Great shots!

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  59. Very nice pictures. I really like the mockingbird on the post. Great shot!

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  60. Go Disney...and YOU, Eileen!



    ( '>
    /))
    //""

    ALOHA
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

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  61. You always have wonderful place and things to share.

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  62. Lovely fence shots with critters!
    Have a great weekend!

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  63. Great shots of the birds and I love your friendly sky.
    Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend.

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  64. I didn't know about this place - I must visit when next in Florida, it looks great. What beautiful bird shots :)

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  65. What an interesting place to be able to wander and see such interesting stuff. Good for Disney.
    Happy and safe 4th
    MB

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  66. Hi Eileen,
    fabulous view into the landscape and on the birds. Great !
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  67. I always enjoy looking at all your beautiful pictures. : )

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  68. Loving all your lovely photos. Great place with interesting subjects for your photos.

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  69. Beautiful birds and skies. Happy 4th!

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  70. That list of birds is not something I would associate with Walt Disney. Full marks to the company for their efforts to make such a lovely nature reserve.

    The Meadowlark is a stunner and that's a great shot of the mockingbird on the trail post.

    Have a wonderful weekend Eileen. I'll be along to join in tomorrow.

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  71. Popping in to say Hello, and I hope you have the happiest of Fourth of July celebrations! Enjoy.

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  72. Nice images, Eileen..Quite a variety...Love the Meadowlark..Cute shot of the Mockingbird too..Stay safe.

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  73. Yes, beautiful pictures, beautiful place, beautiful birds!

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  74. Excellent birds you have taken Eileen.

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  75. Beautiful images of skies, wildlife, insects and birds, Eileen. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day and Happy Independence Day to you. Jo

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  76. Hello Eileen! I hope I can visit this place when I visit Florida again; this is fantastic!!! I love the Easter Meadowlark. We have been seen the Western Meadowlark at our wildlife refuge and its song does not disappoint! I also really like the blooming lily pads on the pond.

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  77. What a wonderful place to walk and relax !!
    Oh, just beautiful pictures, Eileen !!
    Have a nice weekend :)

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  78. Gosh what an unusual yellow bird but so bright and colourful, btw I did get a job, heard about it last night so great news, hope you have a good week too :-)

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  79. A great place! Those meadowlarks were very cooperative. I'm still looking for a "perfect" shot of one in full song and perfect light.

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  80. What an awesome place to spend the day. I live near Orlando so I think I need to make a trip to the Disney Wildlife Preserve.

    Great photos!

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  81. Beautiful captures and a wonderful Disney quote!

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  82. I would love to see that reserve some day, Eileen! What a wonderful variety of birds and critters. I loved seeing the Meadowlarks and the posing Mockingbird! The Swallowtail, the skies, the fences, the cows.. so much richness around you. Happy 4th of July!!

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  83. A wonderful place! The yellow colored bird is gorgeous!!

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  84. you have so many gorgeous places o visit over there. Love your images of the Eastern Meadowlarks. It looks proud :)

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  85. Eastern Meadowlark is a species that has declined appreciably here in recent years.

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  86. The Mockingbirds are so charismatic. Looks like a great day out Eileen.

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  87. Hi Eileen,
    So lucky to see these fantastic birds through your blog's photos.
    I am fascinated by the Eastern Meadowlark - wow! Beautiful!!
    Thanks to you Andy's Lens, I was able to identify the Swallow Tail Butterfly.
    Nicely photographed.
    Your interest in the welfare of birds and nature in general is admirable.
    Keep up the great work, my friend.
    Have a Beautiful Day!
    Peace :)

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