Behind the Taco Bell and next to the wine store.

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One of the “I get no respect” birds. Blue jays are pretty even though they are annoying.

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That lunch looks yummy.

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Female house sparrow getting a bite.

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Keeping an eye on me.

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The couple.

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 I don’t see woodpeckers at feeders often. They like what ever is in this feeder.

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Red bellied woodpeckers were everywhere.

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And the usual titmouse.

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I’m still figuring this one out.  I first thought it was a prairie warbler or a white eyed vireo. I was hoping it was the female summer tanager that had been spotted there recently but they don’t have the white underneath.  Any ideas?

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I thought I was catching him in the act.

DSC_1930Later, I was told this was the squirrel feeder.

I didn’t want to give away the secret but these guys have done a great job. In a strip mall that backs up to some woods with a creek running through it, there’s a Wild Birds Unlimited store. They have deck out back and they have  put up bird feeders and nest boxes all around. They have built this great little oasis near one of the busiest intersections in town.They must have only been getting the most common birds at first.  Then someone spotted a summer tanager recently. The store owner told me people have been lining up to get pictures.  He couldn’t believe people were coming all the way from Orlando to see this bird. He was very friendly and we talked for a few minutes about the different birds he was seeing.  I hope all of this birding traffic has helped his business. I’ll be back to visit him (especially since there’s a great little cafe with amazing deserts a few doors down).

Our World Tuesday Graphicimage-in-ing

A safe haven for injured birds.

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Spoonbill getting a drink of water.

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Green heron staring at the clouds.

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Pretty in pink.

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“What’s everybody staring at?”

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Looking sleepy.

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Trying to nap.

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A sad sight, problems with his eye.

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Even sadder, it looks like the other eye is missing.

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The osprey was missing half of a wing.

A few of the permanent residents at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Most have permanent injuries.

LorikArtShine the Divine

The funny farm.

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Pretty horses.

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Funny horse.

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A cross between a zebra and a horse?

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The duck wasn’t sneaking up on someone. He walked with a limp.

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I was concerned about this duck. I’ve never seen a duck sleep with his head on the ground.

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He eventually popped his head up. He was okay.

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Goose napping.

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King of the coup.

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King of the entire farm.

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Turtle train.

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Sparrow hanging around looking for a handout.

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The cow train.

More fun from my mid-February visit to the petting zoo/horse farm near my house. I stopped by again last Saturday and realized when summer comes, it’s going to be too hot to visit. On March 1st it was 80 degrees by noon. Where did winter go?

Growing up fast

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There were 2 baby eagles on the nest. One was much older and was flapping pretty good. He didn’t appear ready to take off just yet.

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One of the parents brought a half eaten fish.

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Family portrait

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The other eagle watching over the family.

It’s that time of the year. Baby eagles being born all over the Tampa Bay area. The nest closest to my house has produced twins again. The babies are big enough to see from the street so I stopped by on a late Saturday afternoon in mid-February. They seem to be doing well. I’m hoping I can get back over there before they fly away.

Skywatch Friday

Going to see the “Tees”

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The water was very clear.

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A mana “tee” heading for the bridge.

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This one looks like he was covered in hairs.

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Tourists swimming with the manatees.

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Lots of manatees were close to the bridge in the park.

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Coming up for air.

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Through the glass at the underwater viewing area.

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This big guy should be under water. He was warming himself up as the sun was hitting the gravel.

A few pictures from my annual winter trip to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Life Park. An hour north of Tampa, this park has a lot of fun animals including tons of manatees that head into the warm springs to stay warm for the winter.  You can take a boat out and swim with the manatees or just walk over them on a bridge. You can get up close here without getting wet. The park is full of birds, both wild and permanent residents that are injured.  More on those later.