Thursday, December 22, 2016

South Lake Howard Nature Park

Hello,


Merry Christmas and a happy healthy New Years to all.



Each day hubby and I are in Florida we try to visit a new park for our walks. It is our way of exercising, they say walking is good for you. On Nov 3rd, we visited the South Lake Howard Nature Park in Winter Haven. They have a nice paved path and boardwalk for our walking pleasure. Of course while walking I am checking out the birds.

Before our walk we usually do our gym routine and try to see a sunrise. This shot is from our neighborhood clubhouse.


A pretty sky and boardwalk. I think a White Ibis is on the railing.


A Little Blue Heron

 A Great Blue Heron


I believe this is the Red Shouldered Hawk


A Roseate Spoonbill and an alligator in the water below. There are warning signs to warn people the gators can come out of the water, some times to lay in the warm sunshine.


A Roseate Spoonbill on the railing.


A Tricolored Heron on the railing.




The Roseate Spoonbill showing off it's pretty color and wings.


A skywatch over Lake Howard. This quote says exactly how I feel and some of the things I am thankful for. I am thankful for being able to spend this time in Florida and I am thankful for our good health at this time.

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky, and for everything that is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." E. Cummings



I hope you enjoyed my post and photos. Thank you for your visit and comments on my post. Enjoy your day and the weekend ahead!

Thanks to Michelle for the meme Thankful Thursday
I am also linking up to Skywatch Friday, I hope to see you there.
Thank you to Sylvia, Yogi and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday.

71 comments:

  1. Helloo, Beautiful pics.
    Thanks for the post.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Agora, mais pertinho do Natal, vim desejar que ele seja lindo, abençoado e muito feliz! bjs, chica

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fotografias fantásticas deste parque natural.
    Um Santo e Feliz Natal.
    Andarilhar

    ReplyDelete
  4. Walking is indeed good for you Eileen and look at all the wonderful images you share with us!!
    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year with love from Prunella Pepperpot ❤

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely loved your park capturing dear Eileen !
    first photo captivate my heart for long.
    loved the birds so much specially the Roseate glide is joyful !
    wishing you a lovely [like your photos!] Christmas ahead dear

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful photographs and a Merry Christmas to you both!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved the quote . . .
    Happy I am you are happy and thankful for your new Florida 2016 home.
    Merry Christmas Eileen . . .

    ReplyDelete
  8. You certainly picked the right park. What beautiful shots of the birds and nature. Happy Day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Eileen, you captured some beauties!

    ReplyDelete
  10. And yours too, Eileen. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lovely post!
    Merry Christmas, dear Eileen!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Birds are outstanding Eileen, and have a beautiful new year 2017.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hari OM
    Oh my... the spoonbills are suitably festive!!! Hope you and your husband have a most wonderful Christmas... we'll deal with 2017 when it gets here!!! Huggies, YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Eileen, every time I visit your site is a photo-graphical treat. The shots of the Roseate Spoonbill are simply awesome. What beautiful color.
    Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas!
    Toni

    ReplyDelete
  15. ee cummings, one of my favorite poets. Love the spoonbill. I have never seen a rose colored one. Such beautiful exotic fowl in Florida. Here we have freezing temps and crunch snow on the ground. Your photos helped to warm me some. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love visiting Lake Howard. Great birding (and gatoring)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lots of cool birds to be seen on your walks! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love that pink bird, how cool is that!

    ReplyDelete
  19. the spoonbill knows to stay up high where the gator can't get it.. beautiful sunrise

    ReplyDelete
  20. Eileen, I really enjoyed these photos. As is usually the case with your posts, it is tough to pick a favorite because they are all so good! I think the Red Shouldered Hawk is going to get the award this time. Wow, great shot. Of course, the Little Blue Heron is pretty amazing too. I especially like the way you mentioned going to a different park each day for your walk … neat idea! Have a happy day!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Always a real privilege, to look at your photos, Eileen!
    They all are incredible! And the park is beautiful!
    Sorry for my absence over here, Eileen. It was due to some problems of my mother's health, which limited my time on Net, in this last weeks.
    Merry Christmas, to you and yours, Eileen!
    All the best! Kisses!
    Ana

    ReplyDelete
  22. I forgot to say ... the blog looks beautiful with the Christmas decoration!
    Kisses!
    Ana

    ReplyDelete
  23. These are absolutely gorgeous! My favourite is the roseate spoonbill! Wishing you the most beautiful Christmas and 2017, thank you for your kindness!

    ReplyDelete
  24. An absolutely gorgeous series, Eileen! Merry Christmas to you, dear lady! :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello,

    Beautiful photos, Eileen!

    I have never seen the Roseate Spoonbill before. Amazing color!

    I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  26. As always such wonderful thoughts, images and so lovely places ( far away places as a distance) to visit through your camera lens, Eileen! the large birds, especially those with pink feathers seen only in documentaries... oh my, that's so amazing! Many thanks and please receive warm Season's Greetings! I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas and joyful Winter Holidays to you and whole family!

    ReplyDelete
  27. All photos are just fabulous. The Roseate Spoonbill stole the show...what elegance, and rich color! It's a great day when nature co-operates, and, you can bask in it, and enjoy the photos always. Merry Christmas, Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  28. A wonderful walk and animals met. For alligators, but I do not miss :(. I wish you a Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I envy you those morning walks in the warming sunshine Eileen. With birds too? What could be better, a morning swim maybe? On second thoughts, perhaps not as the Roseate Spoonbill appears to be keeping any eye out for the alligator. Enjoy your break in the sun and Happy Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  30. heisann, yes, I enjoyed your post very much! Lovely landscape with birds.
    And join Blogger´s New Years Walk the first week in 2017, post a comment on my BNYW that week! and say in a few words what your post is about... which is the documentation of your walk...
    Merry Christmas ;:OD)

    ReplyDelete
  31. beautiful skies on your walk :) Love the last image of the Roseate Spoonbill, a beautiful image of a beautiful bird.

    Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas as well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you Eileen for all your kind and interesting comments this year! Love the pinkish spoonbill. And you changed your header for this seasons! A merry Christmas to you - early, since I'll probably be too much away from the computer this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Beautiful have a Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I always enjoy seeing all your beautiful photos.
    You walk in the most beautiful places.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  35. That was a great walk you enjoyed Eileen and thank you for sharing it with us.
    I'm particularly taken with the Roseate Spinebill - gorgeous colouring and those knobby knees are so cute.
    So much to be thankful for indeed - made me stop and think and gather in my thankful thoughts too.
    Cheers for now :D)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I envy your warm winter, Eileen. Looking forward to more great pics!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Beautiful shots, love the sky and the water and all the interesting and colorful birds.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Wishing you a most wonderful Christmas Eileen! I hope to be back to blogging in the new year...healing has been slow but I am thankful it is progressing.

    ReplyDelete
  39. A wonderful place to walk and bird watch - and eek - gator watch! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Not only did I enjoy your spectacular post, I liked the order you presented the pictures.
    Merry Christmas to you

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sounds like a wonderful routine to start the day!

    ReplyDelete
  42. The Roseate Spoonbills' coloring is gorgeous..Great pictures..Enjoy your Christmas and all the best in 2017..

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh, it's so lovely to enjoy a walk ... even more so if the weather is warm!
    Beautiful photo's you have shared here.

    Merry Christmas Wishes to you and yours and all good wishes for the coming New Year too.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm impressed by your healthy lifestyle! Great photos, and have a wonderful Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. That Spoonbill is really gorgeous. The gator issue is becoming more prominent for my parents who live in the panhandle of Florida. Thanks for linking up today!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I loved this all --- every picture. So thankful to be here as well.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Sure is pretty. I would be some what nervous about the gator.
    Coffee is on

    ReplyDelete
  48. Love that first image Eileen - it's a cracker! And wow, I've never seen a Roseate Spoonbill before; that's spectacular. Thank you for sharing, both today and throughout the year. Wishing you a special Christmas and a safe 2017.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Such beautiful shots! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Good walk and beautiful photos, Eileen.
    I wish you a good Christmas. FELIZ🎄🎅🕯🎄 NAVIDAD
    Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Um lindo dia.
    Fotos lindas. Um feliz Natal cheio de muitas alegrias. Abraços.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi Eileen,
    marvelous photos of these wonderful area and fabulous birds.
    I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    Best regards, Synnöve

    ReplyDelete
  53. beautiful!
    here's wishing you and yours all the joys of the season. merry christmas!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love your beautiful birds !!
    I wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year !!

    ReplyDelete
  55. I have such a routine, too! Good work. We old farts are living healthy lives.
    Great photos, as always!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Beautiful sunrise,have a great Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  57. gorgeous herons but that Roseate spoonbill is fabulous, a pity we don't get them in France!
    Great post Eileen!
    I wish you a great Xmas to you and your family :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. I always love seeing where you've visited & the beautiful birds you see, Eileen! The skies were so pretty & I love the shot of the spoonbills wings !
    Thank you for all your posts & visits to my blog too!
    Have a wonderful Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  59. There are so many wonderful places to go here in FL. I'm so glad you are here now. And seeing a spoonbill in the wild is exciting! Have a FUN week! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Very nice photos !
    Merry Christmas !!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Merry Christmas and join to my fences http://gosiablogs.blogspot.com/2016/12/fences-can-be-iofferent.html

    ReplyDelete
  62. Your posts from Florida make me want to visit!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Your images just get better and better Eileen, I can image you are having the time of your life there!! Beautifull captures, I always enjoy seeing the herons, especially the little ones. I could do without the gators!!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I do like that spoonbill and 'gator shot - not the kind of thing I see on my walks!

    Hope you have a great Christmas - Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  65. Thanks for sharing again. Really love the quote at the end! Writing it down! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Felices fiestas
    Gracias por tus visitas en mi blog es mucho de agradecer.
    Besos

    ReplyDelete

Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

BTW, Anonymous comments unless a name is included will not be published. Also, comments with links will be deleted.

Have a happy day, Eileen

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day." "T...