Cute critters and a rainbow

In mid-October we were still getting some late day summer type storms. Right before sunset the storm left and I could see part of the rainbow from the back window so I grabbed my phone and went out the back to catch the above.

I had recently put out a suet block and the downy woodpeckers started showing up non-stop to feed.

A catbird getting a drink from the bird bath.

A house finch was waiting his turn for the feeder or the bath.

We got lots of pine warblers that come in during fall migration and hang around until early spring.

It’s funny to watch the squirrels actually playing in the backyard. They think the philodendron plants are their own playground.

My first time seeing a mole cricket and it was on the driveway.

An almost perfect snake skin that a black racer had molted on our trellis. If I collect these than maybe someday I can make snakeskin boots!?!?

Fred was still hanging around the window and had caught a wasp to eat. I almost thought he was showing it to me before he ate it.

The eagle couple in our neighborhood was adding nest material to the nest.

Dark skies from the backyard before sunset near the end of October.

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Out on the fishing pier

I spent a morning at the Safety Harbor fishing pier in late March. It was sunny when I first got there and I could just barely make out this kiteboarder cruising across upper Tampa bay. Tampa was just a shadow in the distance.

A sailboat anchored near the marina.

A cormorant guards the “no wake zone” sign.

Here’s the reason for the No wake and then Slow wake as you leave the marina. Manatees hang out here all year round.

It was low tide and the ibis were picking off tiny crabs.

A snowy egret feeding near the pier.

By the time I was about to leave the sky was dark and it looked like it was going to rain. I headed for my car not wanting to be out on the pier if lightning started but the sky said “Just kidding”. We are in a severe 25 year record drought right now. We are hoping the summer rains start soon.

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Fun things at Chesnut Park

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Showing off his snack.

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An eagle was sitting high up in a pine tree right over my head.

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It’s always fun to watch the birds swaying on the reeds.

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Other things I found growing around the park including the pink lichen on the tree.

DSC_3336One of the resident gators.

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Dark clouds started moving in as I was across the park. I was heading back to my car when it started sprinkling. Luckily, I had my little umbrella in my backpack so I pulled it out and headed back to the parking lot.  Halfway back to my car the bottom fell out. When I came out of the trail and into the parking lot, people were sitting in their cars watching me as I walked across with my tiny umbrella.  I completely soaked from the waist down. At least it cooled off.

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