....as 68 million people do annually, for most visitors, the theme parks come to mind, that is if you are not from Orlando. Don't get me wrong there are native Orlandoans that go to the parks, but most of us try to stay away from that part of our area because there are just so many people! We, on the other hand, or perhaps I should say more me than Bruce, although he did bring his binoculars this time, think of our family first, and our friends second. It is a close contest, but I will put birds as number three.
But before we get into more from the trip I opened my last post with a photo of our home as it looked when we left. Should you want to compare, here is the link to that post. I mentioned that things had changed dramatically and I was not exaggerating one bit!
The creeping phlox were still putting on a show, albeit less dramatic because they did not want to compete with the Japanese Maple that, in some lights looks as if it is on fire, not to mention it fills our view from the front windows, gloriously I might add! It is outrageously pretty if I might be so bold.
So back to Florida where it is not uncommon to see this happen at the Orlando Wetlands when you are strolling along looking at birds.
It helps having a zoom lens but still we were not all that far from the gator crossing the road. Oh my dear readers, it was such a good visit to the Wetlands. Since our previous February visit, the baby birds have grown quite a bit and are easy to spot, beginning with an aptly named bird called a Glossy Ibis.
Common at most lakesides there in Central Florida, white ibis are readily seen, however glossy not so much. Rarely had I seen any until the last few years, well before we moved to North Carolina is more like it. Here the birds are small, small, small!
The wetlands are designed to filter water before it runs into the St. John's River and consists of many large ponds, or that is how they describe it. Mostly it is shallow water with spindly trees growing in the water where birds and alligators co-exist.
If you have a keen eye, you might note an alligator in the grass. I'll tell you who has a keen eye for gators and that is Bruce and our son-in-law Tom. It's like a game counting gators when we are all together.
As is always the case I took way more photos than is good for me, but in the case of say the young spoonbills, it is hard not to!
The shade of pink is so beautiful and many of them are showing off their new wings.
It is quite the spectacle and unlike folks coming to Orlando for the theme parks attracts birders from all over, especially since
CBS Sunday morning show highlighted it two weeks ago in a segment. The Great Blue Heron nest is not getting as much love, however, they put on quite the show while we stood watching from the boardwalk. It was feeding time and it gets pretty wild, or so it looked to us.
It was hard to tell exactly how many were in the upper nest which is above and below, but it seemed like that mamma had her beak full! (my lame attempt to be amusing)
After a bit, both sets of birds settled down a bit.
What a privilege to witness in person and hopefully through this blog; watching the natural world is such a tonic for what ails you!
The spoonbills are the opening act, loved by many; following closely behind are the Sandhill Cranes and their two colts. I believe I posted a photo of the nest and by golly they hatched in our absence and are just as cute as can be. We circled around the ponds until we found them and just when we did, some folks were coming down the path on horseback which happens rarely, but is totally allowed.
Dogs, on the other hand, are not allowed due to the prevalence of alligators. Actually the horses created a little stir with papa/mama crane and the kids went into hiding but eventually popped back out. I have always loved the heart-shaped marking on their heads.
One more of the hiding colts!
Plenty more, believe me, but time to move on. I used to go often during a season, so I am grateful I had the opportunities I've had this year.
You know me and birds!! Extra, extra!! Listen up!
This little Carolina Wren was at our complex as were the birds below. The morning after our arrival, first thing in the morning looking outside for birds, I could see some way across the lake, but I was not able to identify them from such a distance. Well....the next morning I looked on our side of the lake and was ASTONISHED to see a family of Black Crowned Night herons along with a green heron and a little blue heron, plus a snowy egret.
Perhaps you are of the mind of who cares and I get it, however, for this bird enthusiast, I was freaking out because I have only ever seen two night herons in the wild before!!! And to think that they were outside my back door and stayed for two days. Such cool looking birds.
Do you find it as amazing as I do, the variety of birds, both in color and sizes?
I am happy to report that Christian did not cry when he saw his Grandpa and he even played with him.
We have reached the Christian portion of this post. He is such a little cutie said this adoring grandma, and I am just so interested in his concentration which seems to be quite strong.
Another thing we learned about our little bit is that he has a generous streak or so it seemed when he went out to dinner to celebrate his father and uncle's 47th birthdays. We went to Primrose Lanes, a trendy bowling alley where Bruce and I have been before. Christian had his first restaurant experience and he did so well thanks to his Mommy!
They brought a high chair and it was his first time ever sitting beside his daddy and look what he did!
We have waited a long time to welcome another Peck boy into the family, but it's been worth the wait!
Because I avoid most news I was not aware that Artemis was lifting off the next day when we most likely would have been able to see it from our place! Darn it!! Thursday morning, before leaving the hotel the moon was so beautiful and to think that they saw it up close!
We arrived in Murphy in time to attend all of the traditional Easter services. Here is your favorite blogger and her sweet husband. (How she can take photographs out of those squinty eyes is a miracle, right?)
We came home to a neighborhood awash in spring flowers that I will share in my next post. The days post trip have been busy and then there is the little matter of our garden that is looking good as I add more plants.
Yup, lots of garden stories yet to discover! Woo hoo!
your friend,
Gail
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