The same ole things

Posted on February 1, 2022 by dinajohnston

The welcoming committee at the entrance to Circle B Bar Reserve wasn’t doing a very good job. They were too busy stuffing their faces. Pigs.

It was a generally quiet morning for birds in late December. A sparrow, a downy woodpecker (making that landing), an anhinga posing and the usual black bellied whistling ducks.

Across the lake anhingas were hanging out in a bald cypress tree. The tree was losing it’s leaves for the winter, although this one looks like it’s been broken off at the top.

Far across the marsh I could see a northern harrier and an eagle. After standing there on the trail for an hour hoping either would get closer, I finally gave up and headed home for lunch.

Funny faces at the farm.

Posted on April 28, 2020 by dinajohnston

Right before everything closed I stopped by Horsepower for Kids, the non-profit rescue farm to walk around and just be outside. The weather was still cool. They strictly rely on donations and admission fees to feed the animals and now that they are closed they are hurting for funds.

The turtles in the pond were coming up on the bank to sun themselves.

Funny faces staring back at me.

A capybara taking a dip. These guys are from South American and this one was a pet that someone realized they didn’t want after all and gave up to the farm.

Alligator Alley trail is back open.

Posted on March 21, 2019 by dinajohnston

Birds up high.

A few down low.

Wild hogs hiding in the bushes. Not sure where the term “pigtails” comes from?

One of the main trails, Alligator Alley, was finally back open after closing in September of 2017. When Hurricane Irma came through, the trail was washed out and a lot of damage was done to that part of the park. The raised trail across the marsh was finally rebuilt and it was great to walk down it again in late January.

Out on the dock you could see the bald cypress trees going bald for the winter.

Goats, cows and pigs, Oh my!

Posted on August 14, 2018 by dinajohnston

Hanging out with some goats at Sweetfield Farms during the Sunflower Festival.

The cows were being lazy.

Pigs are so lucky. They get to eat with their mouths wide open and don’t have to worry about manners. They can snort and grunt and don’t have to take baths. Don’t you wish you were a pig?

The main barn, where you can buy fresh cut flowers and vegetables. The crib in front of the door on the right had baby chicks. I had so much fun at the Sunflower festival that I really didn’t want to leave. But it was hot and I had chores waiting for me back home. They have a pumpkin patch in the fall so I may try to head up there in October (you know, along with everyone else in Tampa with the same idea).

Linking to Wednesday Around the World.

“Farm living is the life for me”

Posted on August 2, 2017 by dinajohnston

I’m having fun hanging out with the farm animals. Having not grown up around them, I find them interesting. With that said, it’s fun to watch them for a while and then go home to my house near the city in Tampa. I’m not sure if I would love them if I had to do the chores that go with keeping them. These were all from my trip to Sweetfields Farm north of Tampa one Sunday morning in late May.

Linking to Wednesday Around The World

Funny faces on the farm.

Posted on February 28, 2015 by dinajohnston

I finally realized there was a petting zoo/farm near my house. I was out looking for birds and stumbled upon what looked like horse stables but then I heard parrots yelling and other weird noises coming from the back of a house. On the side was an entrance and it said $5 fee. I headed in thinking I wouldn’t find much and left over 2 hours later. They had horses for riding, farm animals to pet, a pond filled with geese, swans and ducks and all kinds of other critters. Most of the animals (excluding the horses) were rescue animals. It’s a non-profit farm run by volunteers. One of their events is a summer camp called “Warriors for Autism”. Kids can spend time working and playing with the animals and interact with other kids. I have found a new favorite place to add to my list of Saturday morning walks. No rare birds here, although I had a few eastern bluebirds fly over, but just a lot of fun.

That last picture is my favorite. Molly was sleeping and I leaned over and snapped her with her teeth sticking out.

Link to Horsepower for Kids.