Welcome to more of my Florida pictures..today's post is mostly more wild birds at the nature park where we went exploring.
What's so nice is that it was completely free and only about 15 minutes from the busy tourist area.
Yet it was quiet and peaceful and we saw no other people around but us.
And the birds were wonderfully cooperative about me and my camera.
My daughter and my husband (her daddy!) were visiting on a bench.
I decided to give them some daughter-father bonding time alone
and
headed down by the water with my camera.
No sooner had I rounded a curve and just LOOK what was there!:
His blue was gorgeous!
And just to my right, were ALSO
these guys!:
I was so excited!
And my daughter and my hubby?
Still gabbing at the nearby bench.
So I went past them, gave them a smile and headed to the left of the little peninsula they were sitting at.
And saw THIS!:
I knew he was splashing and fishing, and I hoped I would catch him getting one.
Did I EVER!
Do you think this is an eel or a snake?:
I don't know WHAT it was, but evidently, there must have been a Whopper Special, because on the shore, this other bird was also snacking on the same thing!:
Mmmm...takes just like chicken....
Here's a blurry closeup of it again:
I loved his black eyebrows!
Ooooo...but THIS guy took my breath away:
And look at this guy's claws.
He looks so peaceful....but LOOK at his claws!:
Another shot of the beautiful blue heron:
And in the middle of the park, these lovely spikey flowers:
A closeup of HIM.
I just wanna reach out and stroke those beautiful blue feathers.
But I controlled myself...
But, I wouldn't mind climbing on HIS back and going for a fly:
How about YOU?
You must have an excellent camera and are an excellent photographer. Your photos never cease to amaze me!
ReplyDeleteEva: Thanks! I love my camera, and over time I have learned to use it the best I can....I am debating "moving up" to a DSLR with more bells and whistles, but this one is so fast and easy, I kind of hate to.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you be gaining with a DSLR that you don't already have, Joan? These pictures are awesome and could not be improved, if you ask me! Thanks again for the wonderful trip to Florida, before it got cold@
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful series Joan. I love birds and you've captured them so eloquently. It must have been a great vacation! Man is it cold now though!!!
ReplyDeletewonderful. used to love watching these guys around the lake out back of our house in florida...fascinating. nice eye as well. smiles.
ReplyDeleteNothing like going to Florida to get beautiful bird photos, Joan.. But--I love the flower one the best. Gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Oh my, these are so lovely Joan. I can never get enough of your wonderful shots......:-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteDJan: Awww.What a nice thing to say. Okay, I will settle down with the camera I have for a while! :-}
ReplyDeleteNew England: I know! I am glad not to be in Florida now too, because their cold is so damp it goes right through you! We went out in the snow today and it actually felt pretty good. We are not getting the below zero windchills here that much of the nation is getting.
Brian: Thanks! If you had those birds in your back yard, I would never want to come inside if I were you then. ha
Betsy: Thanks! I liked those flowers too!
Bernie: I can never get enough of my wonderful Followers (like you !) ha
There are a lot of great birds where you went. Those ones with the long curved beaks are very interesting. The first thing I thought was, I don't think I'd want to go in that water after seeing what they were eating.
ReplyDeleteYou picked some great subjects.
ReplyDeleteYour love to these birds is awesome Joan. I can feel it in every picture. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteThat beautiful blue bird took my breath away too.
ReplyDeleteSTUNNING!
Thank you.
xo
OMG!!! Your photos are awesome. i love photographing birds and all living creatures, really. These are really good.
ReplyDeleteLoved the blue heron the best. What a gorgeous colour.
ReplyDeleteJust read the comments, considering the quality of your photos I wouldn't worry too much about a DSLR. It's the photographer's eye more than anything else, the camera is just a tool.
ReplyDeleteThe white bird with the red curved beak is definitely an Ibis. And I'm wondering if the one splashing and catching something might be a Great Blue Heron?
Judy
Ratty: Me neither! We did not swim there. :-}
ReplyDeleteGrannyann: Yes,they were beautiful models.
Susanne: yes, I love all those birds..they are wonderful creatures to me.
Joanna:Thanks so much. I can never get that close to a blue heron here in Michigan. I did capture one on camera once, but it was very shy and was even wary of me when I was pretty far away using my zoom.
Kamana: You are new to my blog! I hope you join(ed) on as a Follower.
thanks so much for the nice compliments on my photography.
Loree: Yes, he was a beauty for sure!
SquirrelQueen: I think I will stick to my camera for now, it really does serve me well and gets pretty close with the zoom that is on it..I like it because it is so quick (no changing lenses,etc.) So for now, everyone is convincing me to not change cameras yet. :-)
That may be a Great Heron, I will have to look it up on Google. Thanks!
Oh so beautiful, all of them,
ReplyDeleteincluding posts below and above!
The White Egret below, spreading its wings, priceless!
The Pelican against the clouds and the other one scratching his neck, the seagulls braving the wind (or is it me imagining their crest being blown about by wind?), that bare tree with the Christmas ornaments, the flowers (oooooooh!), beauty on and on.
I feel replenished,
thank you! :-)
Now, back to looking for warmer socks .... ;-)
Merisi: thanks so much!! I love all those tropical birds! I hope you enter my photo contest for January...the theme is "something rusty"...I just KNOW you would enter a gorgeous one!
ReplyDeleteJientje: Great! I am so glad!
ReplyDeleteAs I was looking at those birds I kept thinking what if an alligator would pop up and eat one of them I would be so sad. They are always in harms way, huh?
ReplyDelete