Becoming One With the Natural Surroundings
(Photos by RSheridan)
Tag Archives: Flora
Natural Beauties
In My Yard
This woodpecker has a fascination for this tree in our neighbor’s back yard.
Love to Hear What You Are Discovering, Please Share!
Garden Oasis – Part 2
Becoming One With the Natural
Rainbow of Colors
Fauna
This is a Pine Cone!
Water Features
Pastels
Hot Pink
Red
(Photos by RSheridan)
Have You Explored a Green Space Recently? Love to Hear About It, Please Share.
Garden Oasis – Part 1
Becoming One With the Natural
I love exploring gardens! The fauna and the flora. The water features. The places to sit back and relax!
Rainbow of Colors
Fauna
Water Features
R&R
Pastels
White
Hot Pink
Parrots
This parrot spoke one note that sounded like a small child calling mom, mom, mom . . .
This parrot was silent until I was near and then starting talking a stream of words.
(Photos by RSheridan)
Have You Explored a Green Space Recently? Love to Hear About It, Please Share.
Taking a Walk
On the Wild Side
Lettuce Lake Regional Park is a 240-acre Hillsborough County-run park just outside the city limits of Tampa, Florida. Located along the Hillsborough River. More than half of the park lies in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River. There is a hardwood swamp forest, hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods. It provides a natural storage reservoir for floodwater and improves water quality.
A park in its natural state that is untouched and truly offers an experience of natural Florida. I recommend visiting the interpretive center for exhibits on the local vegetation and the birdlife and wildlife that call the park home. The BEST feature of the park is the 3,500 foot boardwalk! There is an observation tower too.
(Photos by RSheridan)
Have You Taken a Walk On the Wild Side Lately? Love to Hear, Please Share.
Nature Walk
Exploring the Natural
There is nothing better (at least for me) than getting out in nature! I enjoy the unexpected too!
Exploring . . .
Flora
Look at that Plumage –
Males with Beautiful Tail Feathers
Fauna
Community ROCKS!
(Photos by RSheridan)
How Are You Exploring the Natural? Love to Hear, Please Share.
The Osprey Trail
Honeymoon Island State Park
Decided to go on an exploration to see the Eagle Pair at Honeymoon Island State Park. Did not see the Eagles, however; their nest was pretty impressive!
“The 2015-16 season was the 8th consecutive year for eagles to nest on the island. This new nest is the first time eagles have reestablished nesting on the island since the 1935 homestead nest.”
Eagle Facts:
- May live up to 40 years.
- Eggs are laid 36 hours apart and both male and female incubate the eggs.
- Average gestation period is 35 days with eggs hatching one at a time 36 hours apart.
- The chicks are called Eaglets and remain in the nest for 10 to 12 weeks.
- Both parents feed the Eaglets.
Those Eagles have some exact timing when it comes to laying and to hatching their Eaglets!
Eagle Nest
The Osprey Trail
Imagine being on an Island within a Pine Forest! You will see sand as well as pine cones. Plus Ospreys Galore along with their nests!
I have lived here long enough now to know the call of the Ospreys. It makes my ears tune in and my eyes focused on the trees or skies every time.
Fauna & Flora
Other Birdlife Out & About
Egret
Woodpecker
Pine Cones
Spooky Trees aka Snag Trees
These trees are perfect places to build an Osprey nest. Also, Ospreys build and repair nests by snapping off dead limbs in flight instead of collecting downed wood from the ground.
Briefly touched on to the Pelican Trail that works its way around the edge of the Island and along the Gulf of Mexico. Mangroves, Salt Air and Sea Breeze Oh My!
A Baby Mangrove Plant
Never Far From the Water (Photos by RSheridan)
Get Outside to Explore, Adventure & Walk On The Wild Side!!!
Florida Botanical Gardens – Part II
“Our Urban Oasis”
The Florida Botanical Gardens are a MUST SEE! Open daily from 7:00 a.m. until Sunset. Admission is Free.
Great Spots to Sit in the Gardens – Love that!
The Florida Botanical Gardens opened to the public on December 2, 2000.
- 10 Gardens
- 10,000 Plants
- 182 Acres
The bee had to get in the shot!
My FAVORITE Photo!
Wedding Garden
- A walled garden.
Bear Looking Over the Wall – Oh So Cute!
Butterfly Garden
- A garden devoted to butterflies.
Native Plants Garden
- Florida natives.
- Wildflowers
- Groundcovers
- Trees and Shrubs
A Fig Tree
Close Up of the Figs
Oak Tree
Vegetable Garden
- Raised beds of vegetables and flowers.
Herb Garden
- Medicinal, culinary and ceremonial plants.
- Scents
- Colors
Cactus and Succulent Garden
Missed this area completely – have to go back for another visit!
- Plant life and how it adapts for life in dry climates.
Misc. Photos
Still have not seen a Gator – where are they hiding?
Look at the feet on this Turtle – Yikes! (Photos by RSheridan)
Florida Botanical Gardens – Part I
“Our Urban Oasis”
The Florida Botanical Gardens are a MUST SEE! Open daily from 7:00 a.m. until Sunset. Admission is Free.
BEAUTIFUL!!!
A Good R&R Spot
The Florida Botanical Gardens opened to the public on December 2, 2000.
- 10 Gardens
- 10,000 Plants
- 182 Acres
The 10 Gardens Are:
- Butterfly
- Cactus and Succulent
- Herb
- Native Plants
- Palm
- Patio
- Tropical Fruit
- Vegetable
- Vinery
- Wedding
Started off at the McKay Creek Pavilion and into the McKay Creek Plaza.
The retention pond in this area demonstrates how important water is to wildlife. The area is planted exclusively with Florida native plants. The area provides plenty of shelter and food available to a wide variety of animals.
An Anhinga Sun Bathing
Then wandered through the Tropical Courtyard, Pavilion and Bromeliad Garden.
Tropical Courtyard
- Scented plants
- Sit and rock under the ceiling fans.
- Picnic area
- Restrooms
. . . Strolled the Tropical Walk.
Tropical Walk
- Shaded tropical walk.
- Bold foliage and bright colors.
- Taste of the tropics.
Fauna
An Elephant Ear
Flora
There is a “Tropical” Theme Going On!
Tropical Fruit Garden
- Over a dozen varieties of banana and plantain.
- Pineapple, citrus, mango, papaya, and other exotic fruits.
The Whole Banana Growth.
The Bunch of Bananas.
A Closeup of the Bananas.
Have Lime, Need A Coconut!
Palm Garden
- Palms plants provide food, fiber, building materials, and oils.
Do these lizards get a head rush hanging upside down on trees?!?
Patio Garden
- This home garden demonstrates a creative approach to displaying plants and landscape features.
- Scented flowers
- Colorful foliage
- Gazebo
- Waterfall
Fauna
A Ram’s Horn
Flora
Vinery Display
- A 239-foot fence was installed as a backdrop and aluminum Hubble trellises – a three-dimensional design that will turn vines into trees.
- An 18-foot cement circle connects the Vinery, the Palm Garden and the Memorial Walkway.
Misc. Photos
Love Cattails
Soaking In the Sun (Photos by RSheridan)
Happy Exploring – Enjoy!
The Nature Of
Laughter
Earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whole Lot of Laughter Going On! (Photos by RSheridan)
Remember to Laugh & Stop to Smell the Flowers Today!!!
Flickr Photos
Blogs I Follow
CRAVESAdventure 