Happy Veteran’s Day!

Southern Bald Eagles are pairing up and sizing up the various electric high tension line tower here in The Villages, FL these days.  This pair were on the tower in the center of the Nancy Lopez Legacy Golf Course along the multi-modal path.  I took these pictures at various times last couple of weeks and once earlier in the Spring (blue sky).

Whenever I see a Bald Eagle, I always think of how grateful I am to all of our wonderful service Veterans! Thank you for your service if you are a Veteran!   Wishing everyone a very happy Veteran’s Day!

Wordless Wednesday: Snowy Egrets

These Snowy Egrets were photographed here in The Villages, FL in recent weeks.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.

(With Great Egrets)

Ibis, Herons, and ‘Gators

Alligators are fairly common here in Florida. Recently, I spotted Alligators in two places – a very small one in the shallows of Cherry Lake at Live Oaks Park in The Villages and an adult at what is known as “Fishing Pond” here in The Villages on Morse Blvd.

I also saw a small flock of White Ibis and a Little Blue Heron there at the Fishing Pond next to that ‘gator.  Additionally, I usually see a Great Blue Heron at Freedom Pointe Lake.  I was not disappointed.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

 

Wordless Wednesday: Wood Storks

Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.  Enjoy!

 

Wordless Fri.: Flying Waders

Juvenile White Ibis

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.  Enjoy!

Great Egret

Tri-colored Heron

Wood Stork

 

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Wood Stork

Wading Birds at Freedom Pointe Lake in The Villages, FL

Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Tri-Colored Heron

Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Wood Storks, Anhingas, and a Tri-Color Heron were spotted this past week at the Freedom Pointe Lake in The Villages, FL.  This little lake borders a golf course, an assisted living complex, and a boulevard with golf cart multi-modal pathway.  It is often busy with wading birds during the Fall through Spring months.  I enjoy visiting this area as it is easy to see the birds from the path or the parking area.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

Great Egret

Tri-colored Heron

 

Wood Stork

 

Great Egret

Snowy Egret, Cormorant, Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Birds and Scenic Views of Kerr Scott Lake, Wilksboro, North Carolina

Bald Eagle on the deserted swimming beach at Kerr Scott Lake

A Bald Eagle was seen on a deserted swimming beach at the lovely Kerr Scott Lake near Wilksboro, North Carolina last week at dusk.  This Army Corps of Engineers lake is a beautiful spot with a nice campground and the swimming beach park across the lake (that beach park was only open during the Summer).  I also spotted a trio of friendly domestic ducks happily paddling around and about five Eastern Bluebirds flitting around catching insects for their meal.  So nice!

We also went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway which is one of the most beautiful highways I have been on.  No, we did not take our 28′ Fifth Wheel trailer up there!  Too winding and narrow.  That parkway has mowed grass on both shoulders and is one lane each way.

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through mixed hardwood and coniferous forests and has several  areas with parking lots and lovely picnic tables and other park features.  There also are overlooks which add to the scenic value.  A wonderful experience even if we only drove about 6 miles on that road (about 1/2 hour from Wilksboro, N.C.).  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.  Enjoy!

Eastern Bluebird

Scenic Elk Mountain Overlook, The Blue Ridge Parkway

Scenic view of Lake Kerr Scott, Wilksboro, NC

 

Friendly domesticated farm ducks in the lake

Eastern Bluebird

Bluebird with insect