Hashawha Nature Center

  I am linking up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday .

July 7, 2013

On the morning of July 4, hubby and I went on a hike at a local park called Hashawha Nature Center. We try to take our walks early in the morning to avoid the hot & humid afternoon. We took the longer loop trail which goes by several ponds, an old homestead, pine forest, trail lined with daylilies and the Raptor Center.

Some of my other posts on Hashawha Nature Center

This trail leads to the Raptor Center. I loved passing along all these pretty daylilies.

I usually do not like taking photos of the caged birds but, they do have a nice raptor center with a Bald Eagle, Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, Screech Owl and a vulture. Of course they are injured in some way and can not be released into the wild. 

I loved seeing all the different dragonflies around the lake. 

I believe this is an Amberwing dragonfly. The amber color on this one is beautiful.

Another pond we passed, we saw lots of mushrooms and these pretty bee balm flowers.

The Robin was enjoying these berries!

The Gray Catbird and Robins seemed to be the birds of the day. It was nice to have a day off work, for us it was an extra day to be out walking and enjoying nature.


I hope you enjoyed my walk, post and photos. Thanks for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.
Join in on the fun and for more wonderful photos please visit  Mosaic Monday and more from  Our World Tuesday
 Thanks to our host: Mary our host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer.  I wish everyone a happy week!

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

For this weeks World Bird Wednesday  and  Wordless Wednesday

I am sad that my Hummingbirds will be leaving soon. I am only seeing the females now, the males have all left.

Click on the links to see more World Bird Wednesday  and  Wordless Wednesday

Thanks to Springman the host of World Bird Wednesday and to the host of Wordless Wednesday

Thank you for stopping by to see my post, I hope the rest of your week is wonderful.

Longwood Gardens birds, butterflies and dragonflies

My Critter photos from Longwood Gardens for Wordless Wednesday

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

I love this one below, it just glittered in the sunlight.

American Robin on one of the water fountains

Click on my link Wordless Wednesday to see more.

I hope you enjoyed my Wordless Wednesday entry and thanks for stopping by my blog.

Birding the Watergardens

I have linked my post for the first time with Beverly's Pink Saturday click on my link to go and visit. And here is a cute blog and pretty pink post from last Pink Saturday Pink Paper Rose


My hubby and I visited the Lilypons watergardens, a popular place for birding. Birding was my main reason for going there but seeing all these waterlilies and lotus flowers is just a stunning sight.  If you are looking for pond supplies or waterlilies this is the place. They have many colors of both hardy and tropical waterlilies. Over 70 of 260 some acres are used for the waterlilies. It was hot Monday morning so it was a short visit. Some of the birds I saw were the Great Blue Heron, Egret, Canada Geese, Kingbird, Catbirds, Robins, Blackbirds, a Green Heron in flight and many Swallows. I have read that they offered a guided bird walk on their grounds, it is so nice to see a commercial business so inviting to birders. You can walk on your own on the trails or walkways between the large ponds.

I was amazed at the dragonflies, they were everywhere.

The lotus flowers are gorgeous.

I was also checking out all the butterflies and moths.

Redwing Blackbirds were plentiful and noisy.

I just love the color of the waterlily below, it was one of my favorites.

This cute little guy stared at us while we sat on one of the shaded benches.

I am linking up this post with Michelle's  Nature Notes thanks to our host Michelle of Rambling Woods.

And

Click here for Claudia's Friday Finding Beauty  thanks to Claudia for hosting. 

and

Outdoor Wednesday  click on the link to visit Susan's Outdoor Wednesday

and

Check out the critters at Misty Dawn's  Camera Critters

Thanks for stopping by my blog and I hope you enjoyed my watergarden post.