Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill-Cranes

This Sandhill Crane pair frequent Paula’s parents’ birdfeeder in Lakeland Florida. We arrived there today to find they survived Irma in good condition, as did Paula’s parents!

Dragonfly

Dragonfly-on-Lifeline

A dragonfly on C Ghost’s lifelines.

Osprey with Catch

Osprey-Marker-35

While kayaking, Tom took this photo of an osprey clutching her catfish atop a navigation marker. A second osprey contested the fish’s ownership, so within seconds of this shot a screaming chase with feints and evasive aerial maneuvers took place over our ducked heads. The pictured osprey retained possession of her meal.

Woodstork in Flight

Woodstork-in-Flight

The same woodstork as in the last post, just half a wingbeat before yesterday’s picture. In Florida they breed in the dry late winter season.

Woodstork Eyeball

Woodstork-Eyeballs-Camera

This woodstork gave me the eyeball as he flew by. Seen in the marshy reeds of the San Sebastian River.

Mourning Dove

Mourning-Dove

Fledgling mourning dove. They look drab from a distance, but have neat markings up close. This juvenile didn’t know enough to be wary of me and my camera.

Penta

Penta

This is Penta, named for its 5-pointed blooms. It is one of the favorite bedding plants in St. Augustine, and comes in multiple hues of pink, purple, red, and white.

Ring Billed Gull

Ring-Billed-Gull

Ring-billed gull. This bandit was eyeing my snack crackers as I sat on a beach blanket. After hovering in the air just level with my face for a while, he finally landed and snatched a piece from my hand.

Paper Wasp

Wasp

This paper wasp is a sterile worker. Graceful and territorial, she can expect to live for 2 to 3 weeks.

Firewheel Flower

Firewheel-with-Bee

Firewheel flower with bee. Wasp in the morning, bee in the afternoon-Happy Hymenoptera Day!