Mammoth Cave National Park

Happy Monday everyone! I wish all a great day and new week!

These photos were taken May 4th & 5th.
The Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky was one of the highlights of our road trip. Mammoth Cave NP is located at the Cave City exit off of Route 65. We picked a hotel off of Rt 65 in Bowling Green Kentucky which was 26 miles from the park entrance.

Tours through the cave are so popular we reserved our tours a month or so before our trip. The Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world, with over 400 miles explored. We spent 2 nights and 3 days in the area, exploring the cave and went on some hikes in the park.

Images are from  our first afternoon in Mammoth Cave NP, we walked down the trail to the Green River and to see the opening for the Historic Entrance of the cave. I noticed a lot of wildflowers along the trail, wild turkeys were seen on the road into the park, birds nest , Indigo Bunting silhouette, trail sign.

This is the trail down to the Green River and to the Historic Entrance of the Mammoth Cave.

Down the steps is the Historic Cave entrance. Hubby had a reservation to take the guided tour the next morning.

The Green River, it really is green.

Not open to the public, but below is a wet entrance/exit into or out of the cave. It reminds me of a trip & cruise we took years ago, stopping in Belize we went on a river caving excursion.

We saw a few deer laying on the ground off the trail.

The wild turkeys were one of the birds we saw often, mostly along the park road.

I will share more of the Mammoth Cave tours on another post. Hubby is a spelunker, which is a person who likes to explore caves.  We have also been to Carlsbad Caves in New Mexico, you can check out my post on Carlsbad by clicking on the sidebar link.




 I hope you enjoyed my post and photos.

Thanks to the hosting team of Our World Tuesday!

I hope to see you there. Thanks to the host today. Enjoy your day.

As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thursday, everyone! I hope you all have a great day!

Recently hubby and I went on an overnight trip to Shenandoah National Park. We stayed at the Skyland Resort in a nice room with a balcony. 

This is a view from one of the overlooks on the Skyline Drive. We started the drive at Front Royal and drove down the Skyline Drive to Skyland, Big Meadows and a little past Big Meadows. 

We walked on the Big Meadows, a little windy but it was a warmer wind.

We spent the night at the Skyland lodge and hotel. Our room was on the second floor and we had a great view of the valley from our balcony. 

There were Robins all over the place. 

 We saw lots of deer later in the evening and in the early morning 

We did see a lot of wild turkeys along the drive and in the woods. 

We took a walk the first day on the Limberlost Trail. Along the trail we heard and saw some Blue-headed Vireo's, Hermit Thrush and Juncos. 

Till this trip we missed seeing the sunset/sunrises at Shenandoah NP. We went on many day trips and left way before sunset to drive home. Years ago we went on many camping trips to Shenandoah NP, my days of camping and sleeping on the ground are long gone.

I am thankful to see the wildlife, like the deer and wild turkeys.

I am thankful for the beautiful sunsets, a simple pleasure I enjoy.

I am thankful for all your visits and comments. 

Thank you Michelle for hostingHappy Monday, enjoy your day and new week! Thankful Thursday

Thank you to the hosts of   Skywatch Friday

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

Saturday's Critters #166

Saturday's Critters #166

Happy Saturday, it's time to share your critters and post. Any kind of critter will do, even a new or old post.. I appreciate everyone who is linking in with this week's critter party.

To all the animal lovers, we need the EPA Keep the EPA GREAT and Audubon take action

It was thanks to the EPA that our Eagles have made such a great come back. Banning the pesticides (DDT) is important, going back to no regulations is bad for the environment, the wildlife, our drinking water and clean air. Call your representative and support the EPA. The Endangered Species act is at risk too, so much is at stake. People need to speak up for the wildlife, the critters have no voice.

During our trip to the Sanibel Island and the Gulf Coast  we made time for a visit to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. On the way into the Preserve, we saw a herd of deer, wild turkeys and some Sandhill Cranes. 

Outside the visitor center, we were being watched by this raccoon.

While walking the boardwalk we saw this Pileated Woodpecker.

The first time I heard an alligator hissing was while watching this baby gator under the boardwalk. It appears momma was just on the other side of the boardwalk. I think she was warning us to keep our distance.

The Limpkins were around the boardwalk and marshland.

You can not go to a Florida park or preserve and not see an alligator.

This Limpkin preferred walking on the boardwalk railing.

This Little Blue Heron was also perched on the boardwalk railing.

I hope you enjoyed our visit to Corkscrew Sanctuary and my photos.



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.

Saturday's Critter's #56

Saturday's Critter's #56

Hi everyone, I hope you had a great first week or so of the New Year.. It's Saturday and its time to share your critters.. Any kind of critter will do, even a new or old post.. I appreciate everyone who has linked up in the past and for those who are linking in on this week's critter party. And of course I always appreciate my blogging friends stopping by just for a visit.

Also, I hope you can check out the post at Anni's I'd-Rather-B-Birdin.  You should also check out Misty Dawn's Camera Critters.


Since being retired I am checking out my local bird list to see what new birds maybe in the area.  Usually I have not been able to chase down birds since I was working.  Now I am going to have to check on the list and I may be able to pick up a lifer or two.. This weeks rare birds in the area were not lifers just an odd bird for Maryland. The Sandhill Crane was one of my chase birds but I have seen them here before.

So I am off and hubby is along with me. I decide to make this huge loop trying to first find the Sandhill Cranes.. The weather was not the best for birding..we drove in and out of fog and drizzle..I find the correct road and the parking lot suggested for the Cranes sighting..The corn field (where the cranes were sighted) was socked in with heavy fog. If the Cranes were there they were hiding in the fog. Hubby must have thought I was crazy going out in these conditions..Oh well no luck with Cranes but I did see a few chickens running around the parking lot in the fog.

Next I decided to drive to where the Warblers were being seen, I am not sure if it was the fog, but I missed the spot and drove right past it. I figure what the heck we come this far lets check out the Marshy Point Nature Center. You can see above a few swans and some Gadwall and something else out there lurking in the fog..We walk back to the visitor center to use the loo and we see some odd sights inside..

A starling on a bear's paw..I believe the starling was raised inside the visitor center. It was out of its cage, flying around when it landed on the bear.

An unusual sight to see...a Northern Bobwhite in the hand.

This female Mallard (behind the sign) is another inside bird. Notices were on the door warning do not let the duck outside.. It would not survive..

Another odd sight was coming out of the visitor center and finding this wild turkey sitting in the corner.. It got up right away and walked over to us..

I was able to walk around it, but she seemed to block hubby's way. I think it was her way of asking for food.. Hubby finally managed to get around the turkey.

Next stop where a couple of warblers were being seen at a local park & ride near Baltimore. The warbler must not have wanted to make the long flight to Central America. If it was me knowing the cold weather coming this week, I would have flown south already..The warbler being spotted is the Cape May Warbler. I found this bird at the exact spot is was reported in a tree at a park and ride. Easy peasy, sometimes I can be lucky with my mission..Half of my mission was accomplished one bird seen out the the two I was aiming for..Neither were life birds for me, just odd to be seeing them in Maryland. Stay tuned for more birding adventures.... I hope lucky ones...

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks to Tex Theresa aka Tex, I was able to add this link up button and thanks to  Jennifer for creating my photo badge.

<a href="http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/"><img src=" https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/15299083201_9709303697_m.jpg" width="185" height="240"></a>



Again I thank you for linking up to the critter party. I also appreciate the visits, comments and the support of my blogging friends................... Have a happy weekend!
To see more beautiful birds and cute critters, check out these two memes below.

Please 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.

Happy Thanksgiving

November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates..Have a happy holiday and weekend.

I am linking up with NF Winged   and  Skywatch Friday 

I just wanted to say how thankful I am for my family and friends and my wonderful blogging friends. I am thankful for simple pleasures I enjoy doing like skywatching and birding..

The Wild Turkey is the largest gamebird in North America, they live in the woods and spend their days foraging food like acorns, seeds and berries. They are covered in dark feathers to help them blend in with the woodlands.

 Did you know Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the Wild Turkey the national bird of the United States..I do prefer the Bald Eagle as our National Bird. I am hoping these turkeys have been pardoned..now run and hide turkeys.

 Hubby and I pulled over into a parking to catch this sky, one of my simple pleasures is enjoying sunrise and sunsets. I will also be enjoying  having my family over for Thanksgiving dinner and some yummy desserts like my Derby Pie requested every year. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and I wish everyone a safe and happy long weekend.

 Thanks for visiting my post and  blog and I always appreciate your comments.
To see more pretty skies from around the world please visit  Skywatch Friday
and to see more of the winged critters check out NF Winged

Thanks to Sylvia, Yogi  and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday! Thanks to Monica the host of NF Winged.  

More from Myakka

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

 For this week's post I am sharing my photos from our Florida vacation and Myakka River State Park. I did a post below on more of the birds and critters we saw while visiting Myakka.

A loop trail took us to the Canopy walkway where the tower soars 74 feet in the air. We had a view of the tree tops.

The boardwalk took us to a wildlife viewing area. During our short visit here we saw the wild turkeys, little blue herons, tr-colored herons, osprey, great blue heron, black vultures and some egrets.

You can take an airboat tour up on the upper Myakka Lake. Canoeing and kayaking was also available near the boat ramps or dock.

This Little Blue heron was keeping company with a couple of Black Vultures. We enjoyed our visit to the Myakka River State Park, we saw as much as could in a small amount of time.

 As always, I hope you enjoy my post and 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!

Myakka River State Park

I am linking up Camera Critters and I'd-Rather-b-birdin I hope you will join in on the fun and share your critters and birds.

It is hard to believe I still have Florida vacation photos to share. These are some birds and critters seen at the Myakka River State Park in Florida.

Tricolored Heron and a gator.

Pretty sure this is the Great Egret. I love this preening shot, the egrets are beautiful birds.

Great Blue heron

Cute deer

Anhinga and an Egret. The Anghina is drying its wings.

I believe this is the Red Shouldered Hawk. Please let me know if I am not correct with my id.

We saw a group of  wild turkeys in this field.

I had to zoom in to catch this Common Moorhen. As you can see there were some great birds and critters in the Myakka River State Park. 

 Ok, here is my new list for the week of my favorite blogs to visit and if you missed any... look back at all my previous Saturday posts they go as far back as 6/22/13.

 Visit with Irma @ Irma's blog  you can see some adorable Grebe babies and lovely nature photos.

Mona's Montanagirl blog is always worth a visit. She is a wonderful nature photographer.

Kim @ Lirralirra is another Australian blogger, she shares beautiful birds and nature photos.

Juliet can be found blogging @ Crafty green poet is from the UK. She shares beautiful nature scenes, poems and shares a lot of my beliefs on conservation.

Dawn @ Dawn's Bloggy blog has unbelievable energy when it comes to nature, birding and blogging. Dawn and her hubby share their travels in their home on wheels. Following Dawn's blog helped in joining the group Birders who Blog, tweet and chirp it can be found on facebook here BwBTC

I hope you are able to find some time to visit some of my favorite blogs above, they are all wonderful bloggers.

 I wish everyone a happy weekend.

 To see more beautiful photos and cute critters

 please visit:  Camera Critters and I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious hosts Misty Dawn of Camera Critters and to Anni of I'd Rather-B-birdin.