Happy New Year from Southwestern Florida -- where butterflies are alive and well and flowers are blooming as if it were Spring.
Today's pictures were taken on January 2 at Manatee Park. This County Park is a five-minute drive from the Canal Cottage and is even closer to the nearest neighborhood supermarket. When we first get back home, we spend even more time than usual buying food -- restocking for the season. (A few canned goods are pretty much the only food we can leave here over the summer.) So it's fun to tag a walk in the park onto yet another shopping trip.
There are no manatees swimming near Manatee Park right now. It was an unusually warm December, so these endangered aquatic animals are still happily disbursed -- swimming out in the Caloosahatchie River. (They'll bunch in here when the weather and river water turn cooler... the water at this park is warmer because it is near a power plant.)
But there were lots of butterflies. I saw many more kinds than I show here, but most of them wouldn't hold still for a picture.
New Year's Resolution: get more butterfly pictures this season -- and learn more of their names! (I think I need to get to the park earlier in the morning -- before the butterflies warm up.)
These birds were all photographed at a stream behind another supermarket where we occasionally shop.
The muscovy and tufted ducks are probably domesticated varieties that are living out in the "wild." But I think they've been wild in this area for generations ... so I hope they qualify for Stewart's meme. (That's an Ibis at the bottom right of course -- ubiquitous in this area and certainly wild!)
Linking this post to OUR WORLD on Tuesday (thank you to the team: Lady Fi, Gattina, Arija, Sandy, Sylvia, and Jenn); and to MOSAIC MONDAY (thank you Judith) and to NATURE NOTES (thank you Michelle) and to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY (thank you Stewart).
What a beautiful shopping-trip ! Here no more flowers. Snow fell two days ago and went away with the following rain. Sky is grey, earth is black ! But I like the white clouds among our heads !
Posted by: Annie | January 09, 2016 at 11:59 PM
Wow..this warmed my heart...Lovely male monarch (spots) on the wings.. and all the critters...Michelle
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | January 08, 2016 at 11:52 AM
What a treat to see butterflies in January! Hope they're still around when we come down for February again. I'm looking forward to getting out to more places for photography now that I had knee surgery in the spring and can walk without a limp.
Posted by: Judith @ Lavender Cottage | January 06, 2016 at 11:31 AM
Making me long for spring! :-) Beautiful butterflies and birds. I bet you're dying to see the manatees again though. Maybe soon.
Posted by: Marie-AZ | January 06, 2016 at 08:01 AM
Water fowl are my favorite winter birds
Have a great day!
Lea
Posted by: Lea | January 06, 2016 at 04:10 AM
loved to see the beautiful butterflies for a change. And, close to home, perfect!
Posted by: NatureFootstep | January 06, 2016 at 01:50 AM
The butterfly shot is fabulous. I like the tufted duck too.Looks nice weather there.
Posted by: diane | January 06, 2016 at 12:39 AM
your photo's are wonderful- here we have humming birds greedily sucking down the liquid from the feeder which we have to take down nightly to refill, and wait till mid morning to put back up so it doesn't freeze to slush. Hundreds of birds around the walnut tree and walkway where we are throwing seed out twice each day. Everyone who comes over ends up watching them as we sit inside warm from the wood stove.
Posted by: Cynthia Potterf | January 05, 2016 at 09:15 PM
Yes being up a bit earlier before the butterflies fly around might be easier but these shots are great. I am home now from my trip to Malawi but thanks for leaving me all the comments when I was away.
Posted by: Margaret | January 05, 2016 at 08:45 PM
These are such lovely photos, Sallie, and make me feel warm on such a cold night. I never, ever tire of Monarchs, as you may know, and I love seeing them here on your post. Beautiful.
Posted by: Penny | January 05, 2016 at 07:29 PM
I'll have to wait for spring to see any butterflies. When the snow flies, they don't. The Monarchs will be the first to arrive though. - Margy
Posted by: Margy | January 05, 2016 at 05:00 PM
Beautiful pictures of the butterflies! It has been quite warm up here in north Florida too, but we are finally getting a cold snap. I hope it lasts a little while.
Posted by: Lois | January 05, 2016 at 04:22 PM
Fabulous photos - I love the variety of ducks, and the butterfly is wonderful.
Posted by: Jo Ann Bayne | January 05, 2016 at 03:43 PM
Me again (you will see my name from G+ but I go by Joyful on my blog at www.snapthatpenny.blogspot.com). Take care and thanks for stopping by my blog recently ♥
Posted by: Cherop Joy | January 05, 2016 at 03:34 PM
Hi Sallie, this is about my 8th time to try and leave a comment.
I hope it gets through. Just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and say how lovely your butterfly and blossoms pics are.
Posted by: Cherop Joy | January 05, 2016 at 03:33 PM
What beautiful butterflies and photos - I've never taken a successful butterfly photo. Have a wonderful 2016!
Posted by: Al | January 05, 2016 at 01:51 PM
Nice series of photos.
Posted by: Neil | January 05, 2016 at 01:26 PM
Is that the famous Monarch butterfly Sallie? Your tufted duck is not like the Tufted Duck I know but then you are a few thousand miles way from here. Have Fun in the Sun.
Posted by: Phil | January 05, 2016 at 11:36 AM
Tose butterfly pictures are just stunning.
Posted by: Findlay Wilde | January 05, 2016 at 10:39 AM
Thank you for sharing the warmth and beauty!
Posted by: Lady Fi | January 05, 2016 at 09:17 AM
The seasons are all over the place here. We have had no winter as it is unseasonably warm even the birds have been checking out the nesting box. You have such a fabulous range of flora and fauna to admire. I like Florida very much and am hoping to be out there at the end of April.
Posted by: fun60 | January 05, 2016 at 09:09 AM
Nice shots, Sallie! That is a great park when you can walk about and get such good photos of such interesting critters. Those "Mucky" ducks are all over SE Florida. I've seen a couple here. They're really messy. You would love the Butterfly Garden at the Univ. of Florida in Gainesville!
Posted by: Lowell | January 05, 2016 at 06:55 AM
makes me want to visit florida!!!! sooooo very nice to see flowers and butterflies during the winter although winter really just arrived!!!! great captures, i buy those fold-out plastic i.d. guides, you can get them in most book stores and a lot of souviener shops!!!!
Posted by: Debbie | January 05, 2016 at 05:53 AM
What a beautiful butterfly ! Here too it is unusually warm and no snow at all ! I don't miss it. Besides the rain, the temperatures suit me very well !
Posted by: Gattina | January 05, 2016 at 01:53 AM
Lovely butterflies Sallie - thanks for sharing and Happy 2016!
Posted by: Valerie, Australia | January 05, 2016 at 12:31 AM
It's amazing how you juxtaposed from one corner of the country to the other, sort of like driving through time with the change of the seasons. The only thing winging around here right now are snow flurries.
Posted by: Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES | January 04, 2016 at 09:05 PM
I'm ready for Florida!! It was cold here today and so I was drifting off looking at your pics of flowers and butterflies. Sign me up, I'm ready, I hate being cold.
Posted by: Yogi | January 04, 2016 at 07:47 PM
I'm so behind. I thought you were in Oregon??? maybe...you just moved, now you're in Florida. Can't keep up with you Sallie. LOL.
beautiful butterfly.
Posted by: Felicia | January 04, 2016 at 07:40 PM
You live in butterfly and bird paradise!
Posted by: Barb | January 04, 2016 at 05:37 PM
What nice wonderful photos...sure breaks up my bleak white and grey world here.
Linda
Posted by: Linda | January 04, 2016 at 04:10 PM
Beautiful Sallie! Wishing you a wonder-filled, healthy, joyful New Year :)
Posted by: Laura Hegfield | January 04, 2016 at 02:31 PM
Starting out this year with his beautiful butterfly - perfect!
Thinking about that your in sunny FL - never thought I would see snow with Thanksgiving and Christmas! (that was 3 decades ago in Holland!). Love the ducks too - have a wonderful week, Sallie!
Posted by: Jesh StG | January 04, 2016 at 02:10 PM
Exquisite nature shots ~ love the butterflies and ducks ~ so lovely!
Wishing you a happy week ~ ^_^
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | January 04, 2016 at 02:09 PM
Oh, such beautiful captures of everything you point you camera at, Sallie, as always!! I'm SO glad you share them with us!! And I hope you're enjoying your return to Florida!! Got to be better than the weather we're having in the northwest this year!! Rain, snow, ice and lots of it!! Have a great new season in the sunshine!!
Posted by: sylviakirk | January 04, 2016 at 02:08 PM
Gorgeous colors, amazing scenes, gorgeous blooms!! So lovely to see them, (now is winter in here)...And wonderful resolution for the new year!
Warm greetings and a great start in 2016!
Posted by: Alexa T | January 04, 2016 at 02:06 PM
You caught a great image of that butterfly. They usually fly off before I get them in focus.
Posted by: Martha Z | January 04, 2016 at 01:45 PM
Fabulous birds and butterflies all happy in sunny, warm FL. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Donna@Gardens Eye View | January 04, 2016 at 01:24 PM
Beautiful blooms and the butterflies are spectacular. Fun to see the ducks. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Snap | January 04, 2016 at 12:46 PM
A great collection of ducks and the butterflies and flowers are very beautiful. It is great that you can add on such enjoyable walks to your shopping trips. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mick | January 04, 2016 at 11:34 AM
A beautiful place you have there. Love all the beautiful flowers and butterflies. The ducks are enjoying themselves in the water.
Posted by: nancy chan | January 04, 2016 at 08:08 AM
Beautiful photos of nature in your area. Winter has stopped by here this week, so back to cold!
Posted by: Wendy at September Violets | January 04, 2016 at 07:44 AM
When mushrooms can be found in the galaxy, I wonder are there mushrooms in the winter.
By the way, those mushrooms from the galaxy wish you a very successful and beautiful 2016.
Posted by: Rainfield61.blogspot.com | January 04, 2016 at 07:31 AM
Your photos are gorgeous, Sallie! Wow!
Posted by: Linda | January 04, 2016 at 07:21 AM
Looks lovely way down south where you are. We got a bit of snow yesterday here in the Seattle area so things look a lot different here. Enjoy your time!
Posted by: ellen b | January 04, 2016 at 07:19 AM
How nice to see all these butterflies and flowers. I am jealous, as I await the next week of snow. Definitely in the wrong state this winter.
Posted by: Gaelyn | January 04, 2016 at 07:05 AM
Nice to see flowers and butterflies...how's the weather overall down in S. Fl right now...I really want to visit the Everglades!
Posted by: Sondra-SC | January 04, 2016 at 05:37 AM
How fabulous is that first butterfly shot! Oh, how I have tried to get a moderately good butterfly pic but I never meet any that like to sit still for a few seconds!
Posted by: Cath | January 04, 2016 at 05:32 AM
Manatee is a creatures I have never been able to see despite a concerted effort on a couple of occasions.
Posted by: David Gascoigne | January 04, 2016 at 05:18 AM
So colorful and beautiful! Happy New Year!
Posted by: helmiriitta10 | January 04, 2016 at 04:58 AM
A few inches of snow here overnight so your photos are a welcome reminder of things to come for our area.
Posted by: Gayle atMuldoon | January 04, 2016 at 03:27 AM
Hello Sallie, the butterflies and birds are beautiful. You are lucky to see the butterflies in the winter months. I really need to move to a warmer climate. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
Posted by: Eileen | January 04, 2016 at 03:22 AM
A great series of photos Sallie. I have always enjoyed Florida and my visits there.
Thank you for visiting me when I was on vacation. I am back now and hope to catch up over the following week. My first post on our trip is here:
http://anenglishgirlrambles2016.blogspot.com/2016/01/first-day-of-vacation-washington-dulles.html
Happy New Year!
Posted by: DeniseinVA | January 04, 2016 at 03:13 AM
thanks for the dose of color and fluff. :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | January 03, 2016 at 10:11 PM