I had another sighting of the elusive fox squirrel on the Pinellas County bike trail near Brooker Creek Preserve at the end of December. There were two but one stayed hidden high up in the tree.
I don’t see deer often on this trail so this was a treat to see her looking at me.
Three sandhill cranes walking along the trail.
A kildeer flies by.
This mockingbird had an overgrown beak. This was the first time I had seen this.
A pair of kestrels were in the cow pasture. One was on the utility wire and one took off from a dead snag right when I saw him.
On my way back to the car I saw the three sandhill cranes again. This time they were starting to dance around. They usually do this to flirt but there was three of them and they seemed to be agitated over something on the ground.
One kept picking up what looked like a hollow dead branch and danced around with it. Maybe it was two males trying to impress the female? They did this for quite a while then just stopped and started walking away. What a funny thing to watch.
Grazing near the trail. Is this a miniature horse or a pony?
Heading home I took a less traveled back road and slowed down when I saw a doe on the shoulder. She crossed right in front of me.
How healing and pleasant to visit you and these beautiful places and animals. Thank you aloha!
Cloudia
The sandhill cranes are surprisingly agile fot their size! Their “dances” looked entertaining to see.
I wonder what it was that was agitating the cranes? Wonderful photos!
Beautiful captures on your walk. You got quite a variety of critters.
Love squirrels as subjects.
Worth a Thousand Words
Cool shots.
The sightings along the Pinellas County bike trail are truly captivating, especially the behavior of the sandhill cranes. Watching them interact with a hollow branch as if part of a dance or a territorial display is such a fascinating glimpse into their social world. It is always a treat to see wildlife like the elusive fox squirrel or a deer in a moment of quiet connection, and your photos capture that perfectly.
Finding those unexpected moments, like the mockingbird with the overgrown beak or the deer crossing the road on your way home, makes every outdoor adventure feel like a new discovery. The mix of natural behavior and the scenic beauty of the trail provides such a wonderful perspective on the local ecosystem. You are invited to read the latest update on the blog at https://www.melodyjacob.com/