Latest Trip Pics

 

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– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – FLORIDA – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

[April – May 2025]

Wind-formed sand patterns - Anastasia State Park, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Late day light accentuated these striking lines in the sand.


&spspspsp;Great egret landing with nesting material - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Gathering nesting material is a task that almost always falls to the male among wading bird species.&spspspsps;Great egret chicks - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida

Roseate spoonbill (juvenile) testing its wings - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida --- Norman’s Note: I know this is a juvenile because of the black wing tips, which are gone by the end of their first year. This bird worked its wings for more than a minute.


&spspspsp;Tricolored heron with eggs in nest - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida&spspspsps;Tricolored heron with breeding plumage - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida

American alligator - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida

Snowy egret with breeding plumage - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida


&spspspsp;White ibis - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida&spspspsps;Wood stork - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida

&spspspspspsp;Close-up of scarlet macaw feathers - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida&spspspsP;Scarlet macaw - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida

Great egrets - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida

American alligator - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida


&spspspsp;Hibiscus - Alligator Farm Zoological Park, St. Augustine, Florida&spspspsps;Iris - Historic Area, St. Augustine, Florida

Shore, surf, and sky - Matanzas Inlet Beach, St. John's County, Florida

Seashells - Matanzas Inlet Beach, St. John's County, Florida


&spspspsp;Least tern with breeding plumage - Matanzas Inlet Beach, St. John's County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: In this species, breeding plumage is the bill (normally black) turning orange.&spspspsps;Blanket flowers - Frank Butler Beachfront Park East, St. John's County, Florida

&spspspsp;Prickly pear cactus - Anastasia State Park, Florida&spspspsps;Gopher tortoise - Anastasia State Park, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Jean and I always regard it as a special treat to see a member of this Threatened species.

Sand dunes and clouds - Anastasia State Park, Florida


&spspspsp;Queen butterfly - Anastasia State Park, Florida&spspspsps;Marsh rabbit noshing on some vegetation - Peters Point Beachfront Park, Fernandina Beach, Florida

Piping plover: 'Ready for Take-off' - Anastasia State Park, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Spotting any kind of a plover is uncommon, including this species whose world-wide population is less than 10,000.


&spspspsp;Wind-formed sand patterns and dune - Anastasia State Park, Florida&spspspsps;Crashing Atlantic Ocean wave - Anastasia State Park, Florida

Rocks, surf, and cloud - River to Sea Preserve, Flagler County, Florida

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NORTH CAROLINA – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

[April 2025]

White-colored wake robin trillium, sun star - Melrose Falls Preserve, Polk County, North Carolina


&spspspsp;Canadian white violets - Melrose Falls Preserve, Polk County, North Carolina&spspspsps;Phacelia - Melrose Falls Preserve, Polk County, North Carolina

Toadshade trillium - Melrose Falls Preserve, Polk County, North Carolina


&spspspsp;Sweet white trillium - Melrose Falls Preserve, Polk County, North Carolina&spspspsps;Sweet white trilliums - Melrose Falls Preserve, Polk County, North Carolina

&spspspsp;Wild geranium - Picnic Trail, Holmes Educational State Forest, North Carolina&spspspsps;Jack-in-the-pulpit - Talking Trees Trail, Holmes Educational State Forest, North Carolina

&spspspsp;Star chickweed - Talking Trees Trail, Holmes Educational State Forest, North Carolina&spspspsps;Vasey’s trillium - Talking Trees Trail, Holmes Educational State Forest, North Carolina

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SOUTH CAROLINA – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

[April 2025]


&spspspspspspspsps;Raindrops on common blue violet - Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve, Greenville County, South Carolina&pspspspsps;Tulip - Kilgore-Lewis Garden, Greenville, South Carolina

Fringed iris - Kilgore-Lewis Garden, Greenville, South Carolina


&spspspsp;Tulip - Kilgore-Lewis Garden, Greenville, South Carolina&spspspsps;Hosta leaves - Kilgore-Lewis Garden, Greenville, South Carolina

Blue flag iris - Kilgore-Lewis Garden, Greenville, South Carolina


&spspspsp;Native azalea blooms - Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, Spartanburg, South Carolina&spspspsps;Japanese maple leaf - Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, Spartanburg, South Carolina

&spspspsp;Blue flag iris - Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, Spartanburg, South Carolina &spspspsps;Star of Bethlehem - Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, Spartanburg, South Carolina

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – FLORIDA – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

[January 2025]

Painted bunting (male) - Sarasota Audubon Society Nature Center, Sarasota County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: It was a special treat to see this shy, uncommon member of the cardinal family that looks like it took a bath on an artist’s palette.


&spspspsp;Moonflower - Venice Audubon Rookery, Venice, Florida &spspspsps;Green heron - Venice Audubon Rookery, Venice, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Not only are green herons uncommon, they can also be difficult to spot because they move so little.

Great egret in breeding plumage - Lake Jervey, State College of Florida, Venice, Florida --- Norman’s Note: A part of the breeding marks for great egrets is the green skin patch around the eyes. The shade of green varies from lime to emerald.


&spspspsp;Purple gallinule - Lake Jervey, State College of Florida, Venice, Florida --- Norman’s Note: This colorful bird is usually atop lily pads and is rarely still.&spspspsps;Tricolored heron - Lake Jervey, State College of Florida, Venice, Florida

Clouds and reflection - Venice Audubon Rookery, Venice, Florida --- Norman’s Note: These most unusual clouds are not contrails. I’ve never seen anything like this formation of clouds.


&spspspsp;Sandhill crane - The Celery Fields, Sarasota County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Almost 4 feet tall, this crane was one of a pair that passed within 2 feet of where I was standing. This species mates for life.&spspspsps;Crested caracaras (juvenile) - Sarasota County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: East of the Mississippi, these birds are only found in central Florida. Members of the falcon family, these birds of prey are a bit unusual in that they also eat carrion. These are the only two members of this species that I’ve ever seen in the wild.

Nanday parakeets - The Celery Fields, Sarasota County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: These very social and noisy birds exist in large groups in southern Florida largely as a result of escaping from captivity.


&spspspsp;Tropical milkweed - Venice Audubon Rookery, Venice, Florida &spspspsps;Great blue heron (female) and nestling - Venice Audubon Rookery, Venice, Florida

&spspspsp;Double-crested cormorant - Venice Audubon Rookery, Venice, Florida&spspspsps;Dune sunflower - Venice Audubon Rookery, Venice, Florida

&spspspspspspspsps;Surf line - from Venice Fishing Pier, Venice Beach, Venice, Florida --- Norman’s Note: It was quite windy and chilly on the pier. Jean and I made it a quick visit.&pspspspsps;Sanderling and reflection - from Venice Fishing Pier, Venice Beach, Venice, Florida

&spspspsp;Female ring-necked duck - Lake Mirror, Lakeland, Florida&spspspsps;American white pelican, bathing - Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida

&spspspsp;Snowy egret - Lake Mirror, Lakeland, Florida&spspspsps;Limpkin - Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida --- Norman’s Note: There are documented 9-1-1 calls from rural southern Florida where the anguished, wild-sounding wails of these uncommon, secretive birds have been mistaken for a woman crying out in distress.

American white pelicans - Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida

Anhinga (female) with a speared fish - Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Anhingas swim underwater and capture prey by spearing fish with their pointed bill. Female anhingas have light brown necks and heads.


&spspspsp;White ibis - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida&spspspsps;Great blue heron stretching its wings - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: The largest and heaviest of the herons, great blues can have a wingspan of 72 inches.

Anhinga (male) drying its wings and preening - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Anhingas lack waterproof feathers, which allows them to easily navigate under water. However, before flying for any distance, they first must sun-dry their feathers. Male anhingas have black necks and heads.


&spspspsp;Armadillo - Shady Oak Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: For several decades in the mid-to-late 1900s, this area was a cattle ranch. In 2000, Polk County acquired this property, converting it back to a marsh and upland habitat for thousands of birds and other wildlife.&spspspsps;Black-bellied whistling ducks - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida

Roseate spoonbill searching for food - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: Spotting one of these relatively uncommon birds is always a special occurrence.


&spspspsp;Juvenile little blue heron with a swamp eel - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: You may think it odd that a white bird has “blue” in its name. After the first year-plus of its life, it gradually becomes a beautiful dark blue-gray.&spspspsps;Great blue heron with a small fish - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida

American alligator hatchling - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida


&spspspsp;Juvenile Florida cooter turtle - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida &spspspsps;American alligator - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida

American alligator - Marsh Rabbit Run Trail, Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk County, Florida --- Norman’s Note: This 12-foot gator was on a path that Jean and I needed to use to get back to our vehicle. Courteous as always, Jean said, “You go first.” Passing within 4 feet of this size predator did raise both of our heart rates a bit.

Postman butterfly - Butterfly Rainforest, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida --- Norman’s Note: If you enjoy seeing butterflies, the Butterfly Rainforest is worth a visit. This screened enclosure is home to scores of free-flying “gems with wings” as well as tropical birds and plants.


&spspspsp;Citrus swallowtail butterfly - Butterfly Rainforest, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida &spspspsps;Starry night cracker butterfly - Butterfly Rainforest, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida

Zebra finch - Butterfly Rainforest, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida

Blue morpho butterfly - Butterfly Rainforest, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida

Golden shrimp plant - Butterfly Rainforest, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida

 

– – – – – – – – – – – – – PAST BLASTS from FALL, Y’ALL – – – – – – – – – – – – –

[1993 – 2022]

Gambel oaks, aspens, Cimarron Ridge - Forest Road 858, Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado [2021]


&spspspspspspspsps;Raindrops on leaves - Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina [1993]&pspspspsps;Frost-rimmed leaves - Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina [1994]

&spspspsp;Early morning fog, mountain ridges - Greenville County, South Carolina [2014]&spspspsps;View from Artist Palette - Death Valley National Park, California [2019]

Aspens, gambel oaks, snow-covered Sneffels Range - from Dallas Divide, Ouray County, Colorado [2009]


&spspspsp;Chimney Rock - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah [2019]&spspspsps;Metate Arch - Hole-in-the-Rock Road, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah [2019]

&spspspspspspspsps;Rabbitbrush, cottonwoods, The Castle - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah [2019]&pspspspsps;Fall color, sandstone walls - Riverside Walk, Zion National Park, Utah [2019]

&spspspsp;Sand dunes, sun star - Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California [2019]&spspspsps;Snow-dusted sandstone cliffs - Wayne County, Utah [2021]

Looking Glass Falls - Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina [2022]


&spspspsp;Fall colors, Lake of the Clouds - Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan [2014]&spspspsps;“Liquid Gold” - Tellico River, Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee [2012]

&spspspsp;Chalk bark maple leaves - Bonsai Garden, North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, North Carolina [2022]&spspspsps;Fall colors, Davidson River - Sycamore Flats Recreation Area, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina [2022]

Aspens, Red Mountain No. 1 - Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado [2007]


&spspspsp;Backlit sugar maple leaves - Carrick Creek Trail, Table Rock State Park, South Carolina [2014]&spspspsps;Cascades on the Middle Saluda River, fall colors - Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina [2018]

&spspspsp;Hooker Falls - Dupont State Recreational Forest, North Carolina [2022]&spspspsps;Red maple leaves - Bent Creek Experimental Forest, North Carolina [2010]

&spspspspspspspsps;Cascades on the Middle Saluda River - Jones Gap Trail, Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina [2022]&pspspspsps;Fall colors along Looking Glass Creek - Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina [2022]

“Aspens Aplenty” - Forest Road 858, Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado [2009]


&spspspsp;View from Inspiration Point - Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah [2019]&spspspsps;Abraham Peak (far left), Isaac Peak (middle), Jacob Peak (far right) - Court of the Patriarchs, Zion National Park, Utah [2019]

&spspspsp;Pine tree, Entrada sandstone - Garfield County, Utah [2019]&spspspsps;Hayden Mountain - from Ouray, Colorado [2021]

Dew on leaves - Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan [2014]


&spspspsp;Fall colors south of Crystal Lake - San Juan Skyway, Colorado [2021]&spspspsps;Fall colors - East Fork Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina [2022]

Fall colors, reflection in Pinnacle Lake - Table Rock State Park, South Carolina [2010]

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – UTAH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

[July 2024]

Single-head sunflowers - Catherine Pass Trailhead, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah

Blue-crowned motmot - Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah


&spspspsp;Trumpeter swan - Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah&spspspsps;Milky eagle owl - Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah

Alpine Jacob’s Ladder - Albion Meadow, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah


&spspspspspsp;Cosmos - Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah&spspspsP;Colorado columbine - Albion Basin, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah


&spspspspspspi;Wild iris - Silver Lake Trail, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah&spspspspspspsp;Sticky geranium - Silver Lake Trail, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah

Reflection in Silver Lake; Mt. Millicent (left; 10,452 feet) - Silver Lake Trail, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah


&spspspsp;Bridal Veil Falls (607 feet high) - Provo Canyon, Utah&spspspsps;Mt. Timpanogos massif - from Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah

Ground squirrel - Cecret (not a misspelling) Lake Trail, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah


&spspspsp;Black-eyed Susans 'Indian Summer' - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah&spspspsps;Agave - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah


&spspspsp;Globe thistle - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah&spspspsps;Coneflowers - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah

Coneflowers with bumblebee - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah


&spspspsp;Canna lily - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah&spspspsps;Cabbage white butterfly on lavender - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah


&spspspsp;Cheyenne Spirit Coneflowers with Undaunted Ruby® Muhly Grass - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah&spspspsps;Daylily - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah

Allium seed head with Cheyenne Spirit Coneflowers - Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, Utah


&spspspspspspspsps;Elephant heads - Albion Basin, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah&pspspspsps;Police Car moth, subalpine arnica - Monument Trailhead, Mt. Nebo Scenic Byway, Uinta National Forest, Utah

Silvery Lupine - Albion Meadow, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah


&spspspsp;Indian paintbrush - Catherine Pass Trail, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah&spspspsps;Indian paintbrush - Albion Basin, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah

Colorado columbine - Albion Basin, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah


&spspspsp;Subalpine arnica, Bald Mountain - Bald Mountain Overlook, Mt. Nebo Scenic Byway, Uinta National Forest, Utah&spspspsps;Mt. Nebo (summit, just left of center, 11,928 feet) - Mt. Nebo Overlook, Mt. Nebo Scenic Byway, Uinta National Forest, Utah

Bridal Veil Falls (607 feet high) - Provo Canyon, Utah

– – – – – – – – – – – SOUTH CAROLINA and NORTH CAROLINA – – – – – – – – – – –

[May-June 2024]

Iris - Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina


&spspspsp;Rose - Rose Garden, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina&spspspsps;Magnolia blossom - Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina

&spspspsp;Spiderwort - Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina&spspspsps;Daylily - Greenville County, South Carolina

Looking Glass Falls - Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina


&spspspspspspspsps;Mountain laurel - Forest Road 450, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina&pspspspsps;Daisy fleabane - Art Loeb Trail, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

&spspspsp;Slick Rock Falls - Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina&spspspsps;Triple Falls - Dupont State Recreational Forest, North Carolina

Great spangled fritillary butterflies on purple coneflower - Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina


&spspspsp;Horse nettle - Art Loeb Trail, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina&spspspsps;Cascade on Looking Glass Creek - Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

&spspspsp;Unnamed falls on Looking Glass Creek - Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina&spspspsps;Flame azalea - Cherry Cove Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina