Remember Me???
I’m BAAAA-AAAACK!!
It has been way too long since my last post!! I have been able to take lots of photos and videos, but haven’t had a lot of time to process them. I made some New Year’s Resolutions regarding this Page. Among them are to include more videos, including drone videos; include previews, where possible, of the next post; and make the Page a little more navigable for viewers using a smart phone. To be honest, I designed the page with the notion that most people would visit from their laptops or desktops, but it turns out that the vast majority use smart phones and tablets. Over the year, I hope you will see improvements there. I am always open to suggestions!!
One of the major reasons behind my creating this Page was to show people the variety of wildlife right here in the Middle Georgia region, and to encourage people to get out, take their children and grandchildren, and see for themselves. Well the National, and even International response to this Page has been overwhelming and humbling, so I’ve decided to include areas that I visit outside of my local area, and encourage you to visit them, whenever you are traveling. Such is the case with this post.
I had to go to Orlando last week on business (It’s a rough life that I lead), and had the opportunity to sneak down to the Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, near Lakeland, Florida. It was a cattle ranch for 100 years, and was acquired by the county just over twenty years ago. They have done a wonderful job of adding trails and converting into an amazing home for a large variety of wildlife!! I will leave a link to their website (which could use a little work itself) at the bottom of this post.
I want to welcome all newcomers to this site!! I hope you will enjoy these photos, share the posts with your family and friends across all social media, and take your children and grandchildren out to see God’s Splendor and Beauty yourselves!! You’ll be SO glad you did!!
SO … Without any further adieu, here we go!!
Thank you!! God bless you all, and God bless America!!
Herons, Egrets and More
I was amazed at how many wading birds I saw, how many varieties, and how close I could get to them. My theory is that, because they don’t allow hunting, fishing, boating or motorized vehicles, the animals are less afraid of the humans they do encounter. This allowed me to get close-up shots like I have never been able to get before!!
I got lots of photos of Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Green Herons, Anhingas, Cormorants, etc. I also saw Limpkins for the first time, as well as Tri-Colored Herons and Glossy Ibises. There are several varieties of birds and other animals that are unique to Florida in North America.
More Fine-Feathered and Furry Friends
I was introduced to Moorhens, which are sometimes referred to as Marsh Hens. They have beautiful red and yellow beaks, and make a very unusual sound. It wasn’t quite baby season, and the only babies I saw among all the animals were a pair of young Moorhens.
I also managed a few decent shots of some Pied-Billed Grebes, Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Sandhill Cranes, Ospreys and more!!
In addition, I saw a cute little Raccoon that wouldn’t stop long enough for me to get a decent shot of it, and a Marsh Rabbit, similar to the one that allegedly attacked Jimmy Carter (Google it). A fun time was had by all!!
Gators Galore!!
Oh ... And an Eagle!!
Link to the Circle B Website:
Last, But Not Least ...
More from Madelyn!!
As you know, Madelyn is the Animal Keeper at Dauset Trails, which is a wonderful Nature Center here in Middle Georgia. It is also the home of General Beauregard Lee, Georgia’s Official Weather Prognosticator. I hear that he has a competitor somewhere up in Pennsylvania, who has a less-than-stellar track record when it comes to predicting when Spring will arrive. “Beau” has a much better “batting average”, including this year, where he hit the nail on the head with his prediction of an early Spring. While the rest of the Nation remains within the clutches of a cold, snowy, icy Winter, we have been basking in the warm Georgia sunshine!! Thank you, Beau (and Madelyn)!!
Please check out Madelyn’s profile toward the bottom of the Home Page, and visit the Dauset Trails website!!
Coming up Next (Stay Tuned)
In our next episode (sounds like we’re watching Bullwinkle!!), Madelyn, Hunter and I will take you to Macon County, Georgia to see the thousands of migrating Sandhill Cranes. They are truly a sight to behold!! There will even be drone videos!!
In addition, we will be showing photos from Madelyn’s trip to Alaska. She keeps going to all these wonderful places without inviting me!!
Until then, I hope you all enjoyed viewing this post. Please leave a comment and share with your family and friends!! See y’all in church!!
Thank you all!!
Danny, what an amazing trip in Florida, and such glorious works by the creator! Do you ever visit Savannah? The salt marshes are amazing! Also, do you ever see snakes? I am always on the lookout, but it is a rare occurance. Thank you for sharing! See you later, alligator 😊
Hey Cyrena! Thank you so much for your kind words! Yes, I do get to Savannah occasionally. I have lots of family there. My Mama was born and raised on Tybee Island. You’re right, there are some incredible places to see wildlife there! I’ll have to plan a trip sometime soon. I do see snakes, but not as often as I’d like. If you look in the “Reptile” Page, you’ll see a few, including a nice Timber Rattler that didn’t seem to mind my being there too much.😎 I hope all is well! Thank you for taking a look and for your kind comments!!
Thank you for sharing that about your family! I will go look now…I seem to have skipped over them!
I hope you will, and that you enjoy it! That rattlesnake was fun!😎
Wow! What an amazing variety of creatures you met! Gorgeous photography, as always!! Love the pictures with you and your fellow wildlife chasers! You all look great!!
You are so sweet! Thank you, Tammy! It was a fun trip. I will definitely go back sometime! Thank you for your kind words, as always!!😎
Love the pictures… super cool…!!!!
Thank you, Bobby!! And thank you for visiting!!
Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you, Faye!! You are always so sweet!!
Time well spent in Florida, I see. Wonderful work, Danny!
Thank you, Cynthia!! I fell in love with the place!! As many times as I have been to Florida, I have never had such a fun time!! I will definitely go back soon!!
Thank you, as always, for your kind words!!
Wow Danny! You posted a variety of beautiful shots on your trip to Florida. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Mary!! It was indeed a very fun and exciting trip!! If you’re ever in Central Florida, I highly recommend spending a day or three at the Circle B Bar Reserve. I’m certainly going to go there again!!
Danny as usual you photos are fabulous. I so enjoy them. Looking forward to seeing more of them.
You are so sweet! Thank you, Carol! Been missing you! I hope you are doing well! Please tell everyone I said hey!!
Absolutely wonderful
Thank you, Marvis!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Plenty more to come!!
Wonderful photography as usual, thank you for sharing Danny, and the gators video was amazing. May I ask what kind of I phone you have that takes such great pictures and videos
Thank you, Yvette!! You are too kind!! My iPhone is a 13. They really do take good quality photos and videos, as long as you don’t zoom too much. I hope you’re doing well. Hope to see you soon!!