Sweet Songbirds and a Surprise

Male Eastern Bluebird

We went to what we thought was a Burrowing Owl Preserve here in our area a few days ago.  We heard from a resident who lives next to the preserve, that due to the presence of Coyotes, the owls had left that large field preserve area a few years ago.  I did spot a trio of songbirds and surprisingly, a small Black Racer Snake, which is non-poisonous.

The Eastern Bluebirds cheerfully sat on the wooden fence surrounding the large field that had been the home of the owls (supposedly now it is home to Gopher Tortoises which we did not see).  After the Eastern Bluebirds left, a Northern Mockingbird took their place on the fence.  I also spotted an Eastern Blue Jay in the trees next to the fence but there were too many leaves in the way of my shot to get a good picture.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

Female Eastern Bluebird

The “Surprise”! A Black Racer Snake

A Northern Mockingbird

A Florida Adventure

 

St. Augustine, Florida and surrounding areas are really chock-full of wildlife.  This Atlantic ocean beach city is the oldest city in the United States!  I spent last week there vacationing.  I was thrilled by all the wading birds, ducks, songbirds, reptiles and surprisingly, wild bees around.  A Reddish Egret was basking in the fading Sun at a small boat pier on the Matanzas River near the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

We also went to the Fort Matanzas National Historic Monument on highway A1A South of St. Augustine.  There is a half-mile long nature trail there where we spotted a hive of wild Honey Bees, and saw a Black Racer snake right on the boardwalk trail!  Across the street at the beach parking lot, I was surprised to see a Gopher Tortoise meandering around the dirt driveway and onto the pavement of that lot.  As far as I know, that tortoise was unharmed (though it had a close call with one car).  I took these pictures on August 20, 2014.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture. Enjoy!