I started the month out right, while observing the local Bald Eagle nest, as a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks landed atop a light standard along the road (April 1, 2013):
The next morning the female eagle provided a nice fly-by photo opportunity:
A not-very-handsome "critter" was reluctant to get out of our path on April 8. This Opossum had not quite finished eating a rat which had been killed by the mowers, as its tail still protruded from its mouth:
The juvenile Bald Eagle was still returning to the nest to be fed:
A Marsh Lily provided a nice macro study:
On April 14 we visited a ranch in Hendry County to the north, where Barred Owls had a nest, ...
...a Swllow-tailed Kite flew overhead...
...and a wild sow shepherded her piglets:
At the ranch we also saw a Crested Caracara,...
...Wild Turkeys,...
...Burrowing Owls,...
...and Roseate Spoonbills:
So far, we have seen a plethora of "critters," but I could not pass by this Gray Squirrel in our front yard:
Thanks to the breezes which produce ripples on our Florida lakes, we are halfway through the month without a single nice reflection. Now we return to Illinois, to find a restless sky over the entrance to Nelson lake Forest Preserve, ...
...and on April 29 find a fledgling Great Horned Owl in a local park...
...as well as a weak excuse for the reflection of a dabbling pair of Mallards:
Still no fences, unless Theresa allows me to count this poor imitation of one in a construction zone, with a Tree Swallow beautifying its post:
If you squint while looking as the flood water recedes in Jones Meadow Park, you may see another fence in the distance:
On April 28, another macro-- a White Trout Lily:
On the last day of the month, a Northern Waterthrush cast its true reflection in a brook, but can you see either? (click to enlarge)
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Linking to Misty's CAMERA CRITTERS,
Linking to Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS,
Linking to GOOD FENCES by Tex (Theresa).
Linking to WEEKEND REFLECTIONS by James
Linking to BirdD'Pot by Anni
Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday by Stewart
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Please visit the links to all these memes to see some excellent photos on display
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I think the swallow on the fence post is perfect! But my favorite today is the profile of the opossum!!! I'm here from Ms. T's Good Fences today.
ReplyDeleteHello ken, awesome collection of photos from your outing. I love the eagles, owls and the owlet is cute. The flowers are beautiful! Happy Thursday, enjoy your day and the weekend ahead!
ReplyDeletei feel like i have been on an adventure with you! great pictures!
ReplyDeleteMarvelous series of photos! I love all of them, all the birds and other critters and those very pretty flowers. I would like to invite you to share them at my Today's Flowers meme. A new link opens at midnight tonight and is open until the following Thursday night. The address is:
ReplyDeletehttp://anenglishgirlrambles2016.blogspot.com/
Thanks for considering and have a great week
good save by the beautiful tree swallow! :)
ReplyDeleteneat shot of the mama sow and her piglets! the possum is pretty cute. my dogs killed one here yesterday morning and the vultures cleaned him up pretty well. saw a caracara out in the field not too far away, too. :)
Amazing shots of critters. I have never seen an owl up close. We have them in Central Ky. I just haven't seen one.
ReplyDeleteWOW your photos are incredibly beautiful. B
ReplyDeleteSpectacular images. Loved them all!
ReplyDeleteWow! Absolutely beautiful 'critter' shots of all kind ~ Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWishing you peace in each day ~ ^_^
What a wonderful outdoor life presentation.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible collection of photos!
ReplyDeleteAs usual all great photographs. I loved the sow with her piglets as well as the Owls Kenneth.
ReplyDeleteTree swallow makes for a lovely fence pic!
ReplyDelete~
A lot of awesome pictures there!
ReplyDeleteI think your bird on the post counts just fine for a fence shot. Wow there were a plethora of awesome bird shots here today. Also I enjoyed seeing the Opposum and the Mama Sow and her piglets, so cute.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series again!
ReplyDeleteWhat an beautiful series of photos!
ReplyDeleteDear Kenneth, I came back to thank you for linking with Today's Flowers. Appreciate your kindness very much.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos! I particularly like the swallow tailed kite.
ReplyDeleteSweet bird in the last photo! had to enlarge on Flickr to see it...perfect camouflage!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible selection of wildlife you've encountered so far this month.
ReplyDeleteI always really enjoy your photos. I did have to click and expand the view to find the bird in the last shot! I can see it and its reflection now that I know where they are.
ReplyDeleteThese are super beautiful nature scenes ...
ReplyDelete.... Great photo work.
Greetings, Karin
Wonderful series Ken!
ReplyDeleteHello, what a great post. I love all the owls and the cute piglets. Great post and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing shots. I really like the one of the flying spoonbills.
ReplyDeleteI'm returning today to send along my thanks for sharing your link to this marvelous post for us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin'.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your photos and critters/birds, Ken!!
What wonderful photos! My hope is to spot an owl this year on our hikes. We hear them quite often. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Love the Crested Caracara.
ReplyDeleteThese are great shots!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see an opossum - I see possums most nights, would be good to see marsupial thats not Australian.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Wonderful encounters! Great little possum and fledgling owl!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wildlife and birdlife photos. I especially love the hawk images. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteJust lovley ,nette
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of so many different critters and birds! Especially love that swallow-tailed flycatcher!
ReplyDeleteVery nice collection of birds and critters. It's the perfect snapshot of Florida. I really want to go back again and explore!
ReplyDeleteThese are great, Kenneth! Love the owls and the crested cara cara!
ReplyDeleteA fabulous collection of images. I enjoyed each and everyone of the photos, but especially the owls and the eagles.
ReplyDelete