I was having one of those, ‘I’m-so-overwhelmed-by-my-list-of-things-to-do’ type moments, when I decided to go to my window and take a look out into the wild, (my back yard.) A rush of excitement had me running for my camera, and joy filled my heart. The man up above must have been reminding me of how blessed I really am. I’ve never in my life seen an American Bald Eagle. (Just photos.) Today, I saw a Bald Eagle…right behind my house. I am so thankful. I’ll likely be talking about this one for a minute. 🙂
I am fairly certain this is a Gray Heron, but as always let me remind you I am just a gal with a camera. I think this Heron was enjoying the sunset, possibly planning to grab a ‘snack’ from the bay. Enjoy!
magnificent Osprey with dead fish clutched in it’s talonOsprey having a snackOsprey & the headless fish
I probably bore people to death with my stories of watching the Osprey hunt for fish. That’s okay with me because I am telling you, I can’t get enough of watching this amazing bird of prey hunt! I love to watch them dive into the spring or into the ocean or bay and resurface with a fish. Though I have yet to capture a photo of this bird in action…actually catching a fish, I did get this, ‘after-the-hunt’ shot. I got a few actually, before the Osprey started eyeing me, and I decided to let it enjoy it’s seafood snack in peace. After all, I am not entirely certain about how protective Osprey are of their food. I did offer my humble thanks to the Osprey for letting me get these photos before I got back on the road again. Hope you enjoy!
I honestly get a bit nervous when I see a Florida Softshell Turtle resting on the bank. Especially, after my wildlife book informed me that this turtle is a FAVORITE FOOD of the American alligator, which hello, live in that spring! (Have you checked out any of my alligator photos on 3rd Rock in the Sun? You should!) Truth be told, I got a couple of photos, went back inside of my home, and when I turned around a few moments later, the turtle was gone. No telling what happened to that turtle… It’s a jungle out there, people. 🙂
This Osprey wasn’t crazy about posing for me this morning, but I still attempted to take a few photos. I like the early morning hair-do. 😉 And check out those claws! Yikes! No wonder the Osprey is such an excellent hunter…
I love the mighty Osprey. That’s my nickname for this very cool bird of prey. The endeavor continues to try to capture a clear photo of this bird flying. I will keep on trying…
Brown Anole, male extending dewlapBrown Anolefemale Brown AnoleMale Brown Anole
My kids and I play the game I-spy all of the time. Lately, the game has changed a bit. When we pull into our driveway, I say, “How many lizards can you spy?” The girls look all around, counting as they spy tiny lizards, excited about the amount they see.
I am fairly certain all of the photos I got for this post were of Brown Anole lizards, male and female. (Thank you, Mom, for the collection of wildlife books. :-))
One thing is for sure…If you step outside and take a moment to really look around, I promise you that you will spy something moving or holding still on a leaf next to you…
On the day I took some of these photos, I was actually standing near the spring taking pictures of an alligator. I heard a slight rustling sound in the bush next to me, and believe me when I tell you I was relieved the source of the commotion was just a tiny lizard…Of course, the thought occurred to me that there could have been something or someone else in the bushes playing, I-spy-a-human…So, the big-human-chicken, (that’s me,) took her photos and dashed back inside the safety of her cage. I meant home.
I love to look at the changing colors in the sky as the day draws to an end. We stopped here the other night to admire the ocean…and the sky. Our girls entertained us with their fantasies…
“I wish I could jump from one puffy cloud to the other, Mom!” said my eldest.
To which I obviously replied, “I wish I could, too!” 🙂