This is what fall looks like in central Florida. Sunflowers were still blooming in October at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales.
Butterflies and dragonflies were still everywhere.
The carnivore plants were also still blooming.
Bees and berries at Crescent Lake Park.
I found the otter again but this time he was very elusive. I got a quick peek and then he disappeared for good.
This gull should have been over at the beach. Somehow he managed to snag a small fish at the lake.
I was standing under some trees looking for the otter and heard some noise over my head. I looked up and found two juvenile anhingas looking down at me. They must be late babies. There was a tiny nest that they had outgrown but they were still too young to fly yet. Mom was sitting high up in the next tree.
After leaving Crescent Lake Park, I made the quick drive over to North Shore beach near downtown St. Pete. Someone had recently painted the small concrete pier.
Another beautiful day at the bay.
P.S. Happy Birthday to my sister Debbie!
I stopped by to visit my buddy Big Red. When there are no other birds around you can always count on Big Red to be there.
Taking off to catch some fish.
Mullet up close. Some guys were on the beach catching mullet in a net. After 10 years of watching them jump out of the water in my backyard, this is the first time I’ve seen one up close. Â Other than the smoked mullet that my husband likes to eat.
Sorry guy, but you’re going to end up on a cracker.
Eating a dropped chip on a picnic table.
Berries were all over the park.
Butterflies are still around.
As well as the yellow beach flowers.
Weird grass growing on the beach.
Two female ring billed ducks looking for some action.
Not many birds around at Fort Desoto park right before the holidays.
Pretty things were still blooming in the winter in central Florida. On a cold (60 degrees) sunny morning I headed out for a good 3 hour walk. I went to the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo. Not many birds there but still lots of flowers blooming. I know, everyone else is showing off their pretty snow pictures but soon they’ll be wishing they were down here for a visit.
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Fly on a sign. Notice the hair on his bottom.
Berries waiting to be eaten.
This blue-gray gnatcatcher was posing for me.
They don’t have any bright colors but their personality makes up for it.
The number of limpkins at the reserve seem lower than in the past. I only saw a few on this visit.
Yummy breakfast.
 
 I’ve been seeing a lot of pileated woodpeckers lately.
Anhinga posing in front of the yellow flowers.
A great blue heron prancing down the trail.
The black bellied whistlers didn’t seem to mind the glossy ibis getting so close.
In a huddle.
Hiding in the yellow flowers.
The usual alligator close to the trail.
The first week in December was perfect. Cool sunny days. I had to get out for yet another long walk at Circle B Bar Reserve.
Even though it was late October, color was everywhere at Bok Tower Gardens. Flowers were still blooming and probably will be through December, unless we get a freak cold spell before Christmas. I’ve heard they decorate for the holidays so I might have to try to get over there before the New Year.
Shots of flowers in the drizzle. The sun came out an hour later and it was hot and steamy.
