Saturday's Critters #164
Sharing some birds and turtles from Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland. A pretty female Mandarin Duck.
A soft shelled turtle, look at that nose.
More turtles at Lake Mirror, Lakeland Florida
Black Swan at Lake Mirror
Koi fish at the Hollis Gardens @ Lake Mirror in Lakeland Florida.
A Red-tailed Hawk on the Lakeland Electric sign.
As always thanks for the visits and the nice comments. I also thank everyone who is linking up and sharing their critters.. Happy Saturday, have a great weekend!
To see more beautiful birds and cute critters, check out these two memes below.
Also visit: I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host: Anni. Also check out Camera Critters. Thanks to Misty for hosting this fun meme.
Nice photos! That soft shelled turtle has rather porcine facial features :-) Are those Black swans breeding there or just part of a waterfowl collection?
ReplyDeleteThe turtles are so interesting and the mandarin duck is so beautiful ! Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteA delight to visit and enjoy lovely critters photos. That is a pretty female Mandarin Duck and she knows that she is pretty! I like the Black Swan too! Have a beautiful weekend, Eileen. And thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeletelove the little Mandarin female. A species I have only seen one bird of, a female far away. She´s a beauty. :)
ReplyDeleteBEautiful pictures, love the turtles! Gr. John
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Eileen. The duck is real pretty - good choice of word. And if the duck is pretty then the turtle is very handsome. The bird on the sign looks really tiny. Guess it must be a huge sign?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to join in today.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! The Mandarin duck is so pretty, and the Black Swan too.
Happy Werkend!
I've never heard of a soft shelled turtle before. I've learned something new
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen one of those turtles here in a long time. Used to see them quite often. Love the mandarin duck.
ReplyDeleteSempre me encanto por aqui,lindo demais! Ótimo fim de semana! bjs, chica
ReplyDeleteGood morning Eileen! I find that turtle face and nose so interesting. Turtles are always fascinating. That's a great photo of the egret, heron, and ibis. Are they often found together like that?
ReplyDeleteHi Eilleen - your turtle is awesome if a tad scary! Happy Saturday and thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeleteWren x
Beautiful photos, Eileen. That first picture is my very favorite!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely Saturday.
So nice to have a place rich in wildlife, including exotics such as that sweet Mandarin Duck. In New Mexico a small flock of Mandarins of unknown origin suddenly appeared at a State park. They never reproduced and all had disappeared within a few years. I must admit that their beauty exceeded that of our native Wood Ducks.
ReplyDeleteLovely critters for this week. Love the header photo, forgot to mention that previously.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the soft shelled turtle Eileen!!! They don't usually come out of the water!!! The sliders love to bask in the sun!!! Mirror Lake certainly has a wonderful collections of our fine feathered friends!!!
ReplyDeleteThe up close turtle nose is funny
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Eileen. The turtles were amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting.
It is a shock to see all the greenery and critters! I keep forgetting that the rest of the world doesn't have -17 C. temperatures and snow!!!!
ReplyDeleteLook at the snorkel on that turtle! What a great photo! You sure see a lot of different birds at this pond. What a wonderful place to spend time. I need some help with my ids today! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteLOVED the close ups . . .
ReplyDeleteI felt Mandarin Duck was so real, clear, I could touch.
Happy Critter Day!
The Lakeland seems to attract number of birds and water creatures... Superb shots and the turtles look harmless
ReplyDeleteGreat shots- the turtle looks like a monster, just a bit!
ReplyDeletethe two turtles photos and the sweet duck should be in Natl. Geographic
ReplyDeleteGorgeous wildlife photography ~ so professional ~ showing gems of nature ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy and Peaceful weekend ~ ^_^
Great photos. Yes, that is some nose on that turtle. I've never even heard of a soft shell turtle.
ReplyDeleteLovely collection for us to look at today Eileen, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite is your first one, although your turtle one is a bit special too ...
Have a lovely weekend
All the best Jan
Hi Eileen-
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a Turtle's face up, close and personal like in your photo ever before. Great photos!
Thank you for posting.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Peace :)
Lots of wildlife! Love the turtles.
ReplyDeleteNice series of photos - I love those turtles. I've got an unfriendly critter linked up this week.
ReplyDeleteThere are few creatures that I don't adore. The face of the softshell is one. Ick. I hate to be judgmental ... you know. But, really
ReplyDeleteha ha
amazing soft shelled turtle!! i don't think i have ever even seen a picture of one - they are weird looking!! gorgeous mandarin duck!!!
ReplyDeleteThat female mandarin duck is so cute. She looks like she's smiling. Loved the photos from Circle B as well! Glad to see you're enjoying your time down south.
ReplyDeleteThat Lake (in the middle of a City) is so incredible. I loved visiting it. Thank you so much for hosting.
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't know the size of the turtle- from close up it looks a bit intimidating! A beautiful park to have all these water critters there!
ReplyDeleteI really like that soft Mandarin Duck! She looks so gentle!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and helping with the id of some of mine! What would I do without you!!! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteHere I am better late than never---Your images are always very interesting. Weird nose on the soft shell.
ReplyDeleteMB
Eileen, nice collection, especially the swan. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Eileen, for adding your post link at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week. Your participation is always appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThis is like going on vacation...visiting this wonderful place with you!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteDearest Eileen; Your duck has different color, naturally p:-) I'll check the species of them, sometimes I'm surprised seeing some varieties of them friendly together.
ReplyDeleteOh My, seeing the nose of the picture of soft shelled turtle made us laugh o(^o^)o
Elegant black swan (love the feather, reminisce the ones we could see) and Happy to see Koi ♫♫♫
Thank you so much for hosting, Have a wonderful Sunday and new week.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*
Beautiful Ms Wood Duck Eileen.
ReplyDeleteThe black swan is majestic..
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo of the little Mandarin duck and I'm sort of jealous of the lovely warm sunny florida weather you are enjoying as we are battered with storms!
ReplyDeleteThat is one weird nose on the soft shelled turtle!
Thanks for hosting and enjoy your weekend!
Wishing you a great day brings pleasure to our eyes. So have a great great day.
ReplyDeleteHello Eileen, happy Saturday to you! That is one incredible close up of the turtle, very nice, as are the other photos! I really am missing nice warm weather without snow and blowing wind! You are in a wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos - the composition of the hawk on the sign is fabulous! Happy week ahead.
ReplyDeleteHello, Lovely pics. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteThat nose on the turtle is something else. Black swans look so elegant.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a collection! Love the black swan!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely critter shots.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of a soft shelled turtle before. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteWow !! I really love your beautiful critters !!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, dear friend !!
Just wonderful photos Eileen!
ReplyDeletegreat series of photos, eileen. i love those turtles.
ReplyDeletehope you have a wonderful day! xo
Turtles hold a special place in my heart. How pretty is that mandarin duck! Thank you for hosting this great party! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
ReplyDeleteI'll be co-hosting a couple of link parties myself this week. If you have time, I'd love for you to join the fun at my place. ;-) No pressure, of course!
Love the Mandarin Duck..She looks like a toy..Great shot of the Turtle..I should go visit the local Black Swans again..Happy Sunday..
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen. Very nice pictures. You really came across a band of soft shelled turtles, the picture looks so friendly and warm! They do have funny noses! Have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the close up on that turtle. I have never seen nose like that.
ReplyDeleteThat duck is so sweet, but that soft shelled turtle! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen,
ReplyDeletemarvelous photos of the birds and the turtles. You catched them all very well.
Have a great week ahead, my friend.
Best regards, Synnöve
Boa tarde, as fotos são maravilhosas a mostrar a natureza que nos oferece a beleza, de todas qual a mais bela?
ReplyDeleteAG
What wonderful critters, Eileen. I have never before seen a soft-shelled turtle nor have I seen a Black Swan. the photos are extraordinary! I am sorry to post so late, but will try to do better. Many thanks for being such a wonderful host!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen either of the first two before...amazing photos !!
ReplyDeleteAnother stunning sequence!
ReplyDeleteI love all the photos, especially those with the cute duck, and the other with the black swan!
Great work, Eileen!
Kisses!
Ana
Lovely birds and turtles! I didn't realise you also had Black Swans.
ReplyDeleteWow, this a jackpot area for wildlife!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! That little duck in the first photo is so darn cute...
ReplyDelete