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
A dragonfly on C Ghost’s lifelines.
Osprey with Catch
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
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
This woodstork gave me the eyeball as he flew by. Seen in the marshy reeds of the San Sebastian River.
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
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. 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
This paper wasp is a sterile worker. Graceful and territorial, she can expect to live for 2 to 3 weeks.
Firewheel Flower
Firewheel flower with bee. Wasp in the morning, bee in the afternoon-Happy Hymenoptera Day!