Thursday, February 6, 2020

Happy Thankful Thursday!

 Happy Thankful Thursday!

On December 26th we spent the day at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. We drove the wildlife drive and saw a beautiful rainbow. This was our last full day in Florida, we saved the best place for last. 

"There is a rainbow of hope at the end of every storm."



 "Nature always wears the colors of the spirit." Ralph Waldo Emerson

The birds seen were colorful too, the Little Blue Heron and the Roseate Spoonbill in the photo below. 



 "Colors are the smiles of nature."

 We saw lots of Tricolored Herons, White Ibis and the pretty Roseate Spoonbills.


 This Tricolored Heron posed nicely for me.




 "Nothing last forever, make every moment special."

 A bush full of Roseate Spoonbills.





 "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou





At the visitor center we saw the Painted Buntings, the male is a beautiful bird with a rainbow of colorful feathers.




 A pretty sky and walk on the trail to the lookout tower.



 "Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make it's colors appear."

I am thankful to see a rainbow, I do not see them often.
I am thankful for the colors of nature.
I am always thankful for your visit and comments. 

Live simple and be happy!  😊




Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday




Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!

86 comments:

Jill Harrison said...

We certainly have much to be grateful for, not only nature, but being able to get out and see it.
Have a fabulous week and thank you for visiting my blog this week.

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,
As always very beautiful photos. I like very much the bush full of Roseate Spoonbills.
Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jill! I appreciate the comment and visit. Enjoy your day, happy weekend to you!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit! The Roseate Spoonbills are beautiful. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead.

chica said...

As cores da natureza tão bem mostradas por ti! LINDO! bjs, tudo de bom,chica

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much Chica! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I remember very well my first sighting ever of a Roseate Spoonbill, not the kind of bird you forget in a hurry. I have seen many since, but I suppose the first experience remains special.

Laura. M said...

Precioso arco iris y esas aves de colores Eileen. Una entrada con muchos colores alegres.
Te deseo un buen jueves.
Un abrazo.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, the Roseate Spoonbill is beautiful, one I will never forget. Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Laura, for the comment and visit. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

Gunilla Teckenberg said...

Hi Eileen!

I am sure that this trip to Florida was filled with special moments!

Barbara Rogers said...

Oh thank you so much for the rainbow, and the great birds...all of whom just delight me. Even though it's pouring rain and at 7:15 when I awoke, there were birds chirping outside.

RedPat said...

What a day you had! The Roseate Spoonbills are incredible!

eileeninmd said...

They are beautiful birds! Thanks so much! Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, yes we had a great trip to Florida! Thanks and enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Barbara! It seems more like spring time when I hear the birds singing early in the morning.
Have a great day!

Red said...

We don't see the large wetland birds here so nice to see your photos.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
The colours, even among the grey feathers... simple beauty. YAM xx

Tom said...

...lovely quote and you captured a fabulous rainbow. No rain, no rainbows!

ellen b. said...

What a treat for you to see all these beautiful birds and a full rainbow to top it off. Lovely!

Hootin Anni said...

Love the rainbow & spoonbills most of all!

DeniseinVA said...

Gosh, wonderful sightings Eileen. Amazing to see those birds. I need to get down to Florida again :) Enjoy your day and weekend coming up.

Marie Smith said...

Those spoonbills are incredible with their spoons and beautiful colouration. Thank you for sharing.

Nancy J said...

Beautiful feather colours, and a great lookout, there is so much to be thankful for here too.

carol l mckenna said...

Thankful for your beautiful and colorful photos of our feathered friends ~ another lovely place too. ^_^

Happy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

...so ready for a hike

Vera said...

Such beautiful pictures. Those spoonbills are just so pretty. Thanks for sharing. Looks/sounds like you had such a nice trip.

italiafinlandia said...

Love the rainbow shot, the bush of Spoonbills and the colourful Buntings!
Nice to see...
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice rest of week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Red, the wetlands are great for the bird sightings. Thanks and enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yam! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Tom! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Ellen! The rainbow was a treat to see! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Anni! I hope your day is great!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Denise! Florida is a great place! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Marie! The spoonbills are a favorite! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Thank You Jean! Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Carol! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

eileeninmd said...

I would think so, I hope you are feeling better! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Vera! The Spoonbills are pretty. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

Bob Bushell said...

Hi Eileen
Beautiful series of Florida, I did love the Little Blue Heron and the Roseate Spoonbill very much.

Cloudia said...

Fabulous. Your top shot dialogues with mine tomorrow! We are in the groove, my sister, E

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the comment Bob! Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Cloudia, it is great to be in groove with you. The rainbow was a treat. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend ahead!

Michelle said...

I love seeing the spoonbill. Haven't seen one in person and would like to!! Thanks for linking up and I hope you have the best weekend!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Wow! How amazing to see that much of a rainbow...what a sight! And the Roseate Spoonbill is my favorite FL bird. We rarely see it in the wild but it is gorgeous! Great photos!

Sondra said...

Really pretty Eileen. I recognized the Merritt Island Road, it's so pretty there I heard it was closed due to people leaving trash I hope that changes...I did notice a lot of bank fishing is going on and they tend to leave a lot of trash behind!

Rose said...

Oh, I love that Spoonbill Bush! Actually, I think you got some great shots here.

HappyK said...

All the pictures are fantastic. Just couldn't pick out a favorite.
What a wonderful color those Roseate Spoonbills are and that rainbow is gorgeous.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

A very nice variety of bird life, and beautifully photographed. I like how the Heron posed for you!

Gardenrelish said...

Looks like a wonderful trip. I enjoyed seeing your photos. Happy Thursday. Heather

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Wow, a complete rainbow. I've only seen a few of those. I love the roseate spoonbills, such beautiful birds. I love how you are so in tune to your world.

Sue (this n that) said...

How wonderful to see those Roseate Spoonbills Eileen! I was so interested... and then to see your photograph of a tree full - beautiful.
The Buntings are gorgeous too - both the male and female.
That's certainly a lovely spot to explore.
Cheerio and great to catch up again, I really enjoyed your post xx

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Rainbows are always special to see especially a complete one Eileen. Love the second image of the 2 very different coloured birds. Have a great weekend.

Nancy Chan said...

Pretty rainbow. Nice to see the bush full of Roseate Spoonbills.

riitta k said...

Wow, a complete rainbow & colorful birds. Happy weekend.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
What a nice post with beautiful shots.
So nice to see that heron on shot 4. And what great pictures of the wonderful colored spoonbills. Fantastic.

Greetings and have a nice weekend,
Marco

eileeninmd said...

Hi Sondra, it was the Manatee viewing platform (Haulover Canal parking area) that was closed for a few days. The volunteers helped to clean up the trash, maybe left behind from the fishermen? The whole wildlife drive was open as was the BioLab road. Both are great for birding. Thanks for the visit. Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Michelle! Enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane, the Roseate Spoonbill is one of my favorite Florida birds too. Thanks for visiting. Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

Jeevan said...

Very beautiful and colourful post on the rainbow and birds! Loved that roseate spoonbills on a bush top like a cluster of pink flowers.

Have a great weekend

eileeninmd said...

I loved the Spoonbills too, thanks Rose! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the comment and visit Heather! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Yogi, the rainbow was a treat to see. Thanks! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sue, thanks so much for the nice comment. The Spoonbills are beautiful birds! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Margaret, the Rainbow was a treat to see. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Nancy! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ritta! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marco! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeevan! Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!

Debbie said...

love, love, love the quotes today!!! what a gorgeous rainbow, i have never seen both the beginning and the end of one!!

the tricolored heron is stunning and the white Ibis so pretty. but the pretty roseate spoonbills are always a favorite for me. the bush filled with them is another stunning picture, they look like big, pink flowers on the bush!!! you shared gorgeous captures today!!

Natalia said...

Love this pink bird, have a lovely weekend ☺

carol l mckenna said...

Great sky shot with the beautiful rainbow ~ ^_^

Happy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Debbie! I enjoyed seeing the rainbow, they are a treat to see. Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the spoonbill is one of my favorite birds. Thank you! Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol! Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

William Kendall said...

Very colourful birds!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful rainbow *like - also the birds!
Happy weekend!

Thomas Lee said...

Beautiful rainbow captured

Helma said...

Hello Eileen
beautiful that rainbow. that always reminds me of Jahnay :-))
Those pink spoonbills are really cool to see and so special. I really like this one! Your other photos are great too and it was very nice to see the photos from your trip :-)
Greetings, Helma

Klara said...

wow, those Roseate Spoonbills are really wonderful, I have never seen them (not even in a photo).

Lowcarb team member said...

How lovely to see the rainbow, but you've given us a wonderful selection of photographs here.
I do like the colour of the Roseate Spoonbill's.

All the best Jan

Susie of Arabia said...

We visited the Merritt Island refuge about twenty years ago. You got some great shots of the birds.

Ana Freire said...

Que lugar incrível, para apreciar as maravilhas e a diversidade que a natureza tem a nos oferecer!...
Uma daquelas publicações, para ficar apreciando e reapreciando!...
Beijinhos! Bom final de domingo, e uma óptima semana!
Ana

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