Fun things at Lake Mirror

Posted on July 1, 2021 by dinajohnston

Color at Hollis Garden in Lakeland in early May.

I thought these lily pad were cool holding the water in their leaves. Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland was full of them.

There’s a reason they are called “common” moorhens. They are everywhere and they have tons of babies starting in the spring.

I noticed this baby grackle screaming at his Mom for food. He was hopping around behind Mom but I think she was trying to get him to feed himself. He was old enough to be able to do that.

Across Lake Morton a new building was going up. The flags would have looked very magestic if they weren’t so worn out.

I don’t alway stop at Lake Mirror after a walk at Circle B Bar Reserve but this morning in early May I only did a short walk at Circle B and then went over to Lake Mirror. I was in the mood for some spring flowers that were in bloom at Hollis Gardens which sits right on the lake.

Late November in Lakeland.

Posted on January 21, 2020 by dinajohnston

Various beauties around Lake Morton in late November.

Lots of turtles.

One of the many swan statues in the downtown area in Lakeland.

Even in late November, it was warm enough to want to jump in the fountain. As tempting as that is, there’s always the chance of a gator in that lake.

Bright colors in late April

Posted on July 24, 2018 by dinajohnston

Things were in full bloom at Hollis Gardens in downtown Lakeland in late April.

Linking to Wednesday Around the World.

Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland

Posted on July 9, 2018 by dinajohnston

Grackles are common but when the sun shines on them they are very pretty.

An anhinga with something stuck on her beak.

Some of the resident ducks around the lake.

There were several families in late April.

One of the families was busy swimming around and investigating everything.

Two lakes in downtown.

Posted on February 10, 2018 by dinajohnston

One of the black necked swans.

A black swan working on a nest.

A young mute swan.

A young and an old wood stork.

One of the shelducks at Lake Mirror.

A pied grebe hiding in the reeds,

Cormorants and anhingas drying off in the sun. The first bird in the top picture is an anhinga. The rest are cormorants. Anhingas have a straight beak and spear their fish. Cormorants have a curved beak and hook their fish.

Threes a crowd.

All taken at Lake Morton and Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland. The small lakes are just a few minutes apart so it’s easy to do quick walks around both before heading home.

Another chapter of “So many babies, so little time”

Posted on July 16, 2016 by dinajohnston

Baby wood ducks are the cutest duck babies. They have a pretty pale face compared to the mallards which have a lot of pattern on their faces. There were several wood duck families at my favorite lake in Lakeland recently. One of the families with older babies were all napping under a tree. Later, the younger babies were running around chasing after each other and trying to keep up with mom.

Linking to Saturday’s Critters

A walk around Lake Mirror

Posted on June 19, 2016 by dinajohnston

The shelducks seem to be doing well.

Yummy Caterpillar for breakfast.

After snapping tons of pictures of the baby ducks, I walked around the lake over to Hollis Gardens. The small flower garden overlooks the lake and had a nice breeze in late May.

So many babies, so little time – at Lake Mirror

Posted on June 18, 2016 by dinajohnston

So many babies, so little time. This seems to be a big baby duck year. I’m seeing big families everywhere. Getting them all lined up for a family portrait wasn’t easy. The babies are very curious and were running around all over the place. Eventually they tired out and settled down for a nap hiding under mom.

They grow up so fast. One of the first duck families this year at the lake. They are still sticking close together.

Linking to Saturday’s Critters

“Don’t play with your food.”

Posted on March 9, 2016 by dinajohnston

Before heading home for lunch, I decided to stop by Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland to see if there was anything new there. I got out of the car and saw the above ibis trying to gulp down that frog. He kept walking around, trying to keep the other ibis from stealing it. It finally headed around a building so I didn’t see him eat it.

The mandarin duck couple were sleeping under a tree. The male peaked at me for a second and then went back to sleep.

One of the shelducks stood up to stretch but then plopped back down and went back to sleep. Since all of the critters around the small lake were napping I headed home for lunch and a nap too.