Good Starts

We didn't cover a lot of distance last week but there still a lot of pictures.  All taken last week on early morning walks right here in the neighborhood.   May mornings are lovely but the days heat up rapidly here in subtropical Southwest Florida.  It's good to get outside early and work on  indoor projects during the heat of the day.

 

 

It looked like an approaching storm as the sun rose, but it didn't materialize in our neighborhood anyway.   

 

 

These flowering branches look prettier in pictures than they do in real life.    The Royal Poinciana tree across the front street from our house has been neglected for a long time.  The flowering branches are up so high that most people wouldn't even notice them.    The lady who lived in that house when we first lived here was a dedicated gardener, so we know the tree is there and we look for it every year around this time.  All of the pictures were snapped within about six seconds -- it's interesting to see how the sky was changing at that hour of the morning.

 

 

It doesn't take a whole lot of water to attract wildlife  around here.  This retention pond is part of a relatively new addition to the  neighborhood.   I've enjoyed keeping an eye on it all season, but it is even more active this time of year -- partly because of the season and partly because so many human residents have already gone back to their homes "up North"  for the summer.   

 

 

I'm pretty sure these are Red-Shouldered Hawks and I'm also pretty sure there must be a nest in one of the larger trees near here, since this is the second week in a row I've spotted at least one on my morning walks.   I swear I saw this one turn its head in a complete circle.  Can that be possible?  

 

 

Back at the pond on another morning -- and I think this is an immature Little Blue Heron.  

 

 

Not a lot of water, but enough to share.

 

 

This is a different hawk -- and I know this because I could see this one and the one above at the same time.  They were perched across the street from each other.  They both look young to me and that's why I think there must be a nest somewhere nearby.  I'll keep watching (through my lens from an appropriate distance).

 

 Grateful for good starts.  

  

LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;  SATURDAY CRITTERS and RATHER B' BIRDING  

Comments

[My Corner of the World]

I don't usually do mornings but there are some scenes worth getting up for and I am really enjoying your morning photos.

Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

[Anni]

Lovin'all Sallie! I especially like the immature heron and the rippled reflection.

We birders enjoyed your share today Thanks for linking in and have a wonderful day!

[Shiju Sugunan]

Beautiful pictures! The ducks and the Little Blue Heron pics are among my favorites.

[JM Illinois U.S.A.]

Great morning to go for a walk and see all this wildlife. Nice area.

[Su-sieee! Mac]

I’ve been doing an early morning routine lately, too, especially on the hot days. No rainstorms following, I wish. I love seeing the morning light in your photos. One way of seeing Florida in my lifetime, thank you much. :-)

[David Gascoigne]

Seems like it's time for you to be heading back to Oregon, Sallie, or have you taken up permanent residence in Florida? After all, it's almost June.

[mae]

A few minutes thought about anatomy indicates that despite appearances, birds can't turn their heads all the way around and then come back to the front. Though their necks are much more flexible than our necks, they can only go MOST of the way in each direction.

Nice photos!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Eileen]

Hello,
It is sad the tree is neglected, I have seen them in Belize. They are beautiful blooms. Great captures and bird sightings . I love the Little Blue Heron, the Hawks and the ducks. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend!

[Iris Flavia]

Very beautiful pictures, oh, and to heat, I love it, send it over, please.

[riitta k]

I loved to see you4 bird photos as I don’t often see rare birds. Happy weekend.

[Heidrun]

Yes, I'm searching a possibility to give a translator in my Blog... I have no idea, how it could happen. I'm sorry, Sallie.

Have a wonderful weekend.

[Gaelyn]

I'm learning about that get out early before too hot. Love seeing your so different environment, especially water, any water. Love the flowers on the neglected tree. Are you staying all summer?

[Photo Cache]

I love that tree. Must be really wonderful to walk under them.

Worth a Thousand Words

[Carol]

I've seen royal poinciana trees but know nothing about caring for them. It's a shame it's not doing well.

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Beautiful.

[Peter B.]

The photo with the two ducks looks like a beautiful painting! Nice to have such pretty skies right in your neighborhood. Things a really heating up in the desert, too. Starting to get too hot to hike.

[Michelle Banks]

Lovely photos of Mother Nature's wonders....

[Villroses hage]

Yes, the flowering branches looks pretty :) Nice birds.

[NatureFootstep]

Hi Sallie, how nice to see how the changing sky affects the blooming tree. Interesting! Loved to see the hawks. I never see any where I live.

[Judy]

Good captured this week. Nice pic of the young Blue Heron and the birds on the pond. I bet it is hot in your area, our humidity here in Kentucky has been high plus the heat. It makes it tough to work in the yard.

[Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie]

Beautiful skies for your morning walk. Love the red flowers in the old tree and seeing the hawks and water birds. Love that you are seeing the young hawks. Life is tough for them these days. x K

[Lorrie Orr]

The poinciana flowers are lovely against the changing skyscape. When it's hot it's good to get anything necessary done in the morning. How I wish for a little warm weather here! Great bird shots, too.

[Veronica Lee]

Gorgeous captures from your walk, Sallie.

A lovely sunrise is a great start to the day.

Happy Wednesday!

[Lydia C. Lee]

That white bird is quite stunning.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wow! You have created some beautiful photos ~ love hawks ~ and great sky shots! ~ Have a great week ~ Xo

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Amy Franks]

Yes I to am grateful for good starts, every day. Love the red shouldered hawk, we have the brown one here that cleans up roadkill off the roads, very handy birds.

[Juliet (craftygreenpoet)]

Lovely selection of photos and some interesting birds!

[Heidrun]

The blooming branches are beautiful. I believe they could be an Eyecatcher in the Vase with other plants.

The sunrise looks each day different ... its each day a small wonder. I enjoy the the morning and of course the evenings with this sun Events.

Happy MosaicMonday

[Michele Morin]

So many interesting shots!

[Soma @ InkTorrents.com]

The sunrise photo is gorgeous, and the photo of the ducks looks like a painting. Great work capturing the hawk photos. Amazing, Sallie!!

-Soma

[Bob Bushell]

Lovely birds, especially the Red-Shouldered Hawks, beautiful Sallie.

[Taken For Granted]

I enjoy seeing your bird photos. Some of the birds are familiar, some not so much.

[ellen b.]

Those early morning starts are good for photos, too. I'm glad you got those shots of the hawks. The skies are wonderfully dramatic. Happy new week to you.

[Lavender Dreams]

I love the little Blue Herons, they are so petite and pretty! And it's nice to get out in the mornings. I hiked yesterday morning though and it was TOO hot. I will need a shadier trail for next time. Enjoy your week!

[kelleyn]

Beautiful! Enjoy your week!
https://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2022/05/a-polish-easter.html

[Eileen]

Hello, Sallie,

Pretty images from your walks. The blooms are lovely, they are beautiful trees. Love the ducks, Raptors and the Little Blue Heron are beautiful. Great photos. Take care, have a great new week!

[Pat]

Beautiful morning sky! The hawks are always on the alert looking for breakfast below to make themselves known. I'm glad the ducks and birds can find the water they need. It is the end of school soon here and busy, busy, with all the grandchildren's activities

[Angie]

Sallie - the Poinciana blooms are lovely. How wonderful to think there is a hawk nest nearby. Tomorrow morning, I am hoping to go for the first kayak of the season, and I will be looking for the eagles on the nest at the lake. That heron is precious! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

[William Kendall]

Beautiful skies.

[Carol]

that is a wonderful early morning view - lovely photos!

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

...a nice sunrise is a great way to start the day!

[Sondra]

Howdy! The heat is on for another year in the south...UGH...Early comes earlier and earlier. Love the Red Shouldered hawks. What projects are you into? I haven't accomplished much this spring personally...just day to day stuff. Enjoy the week!

[Fun60]

Good photos of the hawks. I can never get good photos of wildlife!

[Alan]

Some great shots you got there of the sky and your neighbors neglected tree and the hawks. We have Coopers and Red Shouldered Hawks locally and the occasional sharp shinned hawks. I think our back yard squirrels and bunnies keep them fed.