Saturday's Critters #169

Saturday's Critters #169

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.

These are some images from our visit to the TECO (Tampa Electric Co) Manatee Viewing center and the nearby Apollo Beach.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron, it looks like it is surrounded by sudsy water. Not sure what the foamy white stuff is, not snow. Whatever it is, it comes out of the TECO plant. 

Tricolored Heron

Teco Manantee Viewing Center

The cold weather or water temps drop in Florida, the manatee arrive at the Teco Plant.

Closeup of the nose and face of the Manatee

What a cutie!

Manatees

Snowy Egret

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.

Sand Key Park, Clearwater Florida

Hello, 

I am sharing another daytrip to Sand Key Beach Park. Sand Key is a barrier island near Clearwater Florida. It is a beautiful white sand beach with lovely views. These are some of my photos from our outing, I hope you enjoy.

I am guessing these are the Royal Terns, they are large terns, with an orange bill and forked tail and a shaggy band around the back of their head. 

Egrets on the fishing pier.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Snowy Egret

Tricolored Heron

My list of thankful things:
I am thankful for beautiful white sandy beaches.
I am thankful for the time hubby and I have to take long walks on the beach.
I am thankful for the beautiful birds I see on my outings.


 Thank you for your visit and comments on my post. Enjoy your day and the weekend ahead!

Thanks to Michelle for the meme Thankful Thursday

I am also linking up to Skywatch Friday, I hope to see you there.
Thank you to Sylvia, Yogi and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday.

American Bittern

Hello,


My wild bird this week is the American Bittern, these images are from various visits to the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland Fl. Photos taken Dec 17th and on Jan 15th.

The American Bittern is a large chunky bird. They have rust and cream colored feathers on their throat, breast and upper belly. They a chestnut brown crown. The side of their neck has a bluish-black patch, this patch is longer in the male than the female.

A chubby looking American Bittern. The upper mandible is darker than the lower. Their iris is pale yellow.

Their legs and feet are yellowish-green.

I hope you enjoyed the American Bittern and my photos. Thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.

Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes
Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday

Saturday's Critters #168

Saturday's Critters #168

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.

If you have not guessed already from my other post, the Circle B Reserve in Lakeland is one of my favorite birding places in Florida. Sometimes we visit the Circle B twice in a week. Here are some more of my favorite scenes, birds and a butterfly from the reserve.

Two Wood Storks.

A Zebra Longwing Butterfly

Two baby gators.

A Roseate Spoonbill

A Pied-billed Grebe

Green Heron

Sandhill Cranes

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.

Lake Kissimmee State Park

Hello,

Hubby and I have been visiting many of Florida's State Parks.  On this day we went on a day trip to Lake Kissimmee State Park near Lake Wales, Florida. This park opened in 1977 with over 5,ooo acres and borders Lake Kissimmee, Lake Rosalie and Lake Tiger.


We were greeted at the parking by a couple of Sandhill Cranes.

We hiked on a loop trail and a spur to Lake Kissimmee.

Some of the birds we saw and a spider on a web. I think the pretty yellow bird is the Prairie Warbler, Gray Catbird, Eastern Phoebe and a Northern Harrier.

It was a pretty sky with puffy white clouds here and there. Great day for a walk!

I love the moss covered trees, the sunlight and shadows.

I am sure I will be back sharing another great Florida park. For now I hope you enjoyed this walk.

"A thankful heart is a happy heart."

My list of thankful things:
I am thankful for all the Florida State Parks.
I am thankful for warm sunny days.
I am thankful for time, especially the time you spent here with me.




I hope you enjoyed my post and photos. Thank you for your visit and comments on my post. Enjoy your day and the weekend ahead!

Thanks to Michelle for the meme Thankful Thursday

I am also linking up to Skywatch Friday, I hope to see you there.
Thank you to Sylvia, Yogi and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday.