Relaxing Nature Meditation: 16 minutes of a "Frog and Toad Symphony". Just add water to the woods behind the Backyard and you have the music of Green Tree Frogs, Cuban Tree Frogs, Eastern Narrow Mouthed Frogs, Bull Frogs, Cricket Frogs, Chorus Frogs and a few similar sounding toads that all come out to take advantage of the temporary bounty of standing water. The diversity of calls ranging from various barks to sounds like sheep and crickets is amazing. There is nothing to see - it's pitch dark - just kick back and enjoy the music of nature!
An uncommon capture of a large Turkey Vulture looking rather dignified and handsome and just relaxing on a fence post perch in a remote grassland area of central Florida.
Our Red-Bellied Woodpeckers decided not to nest in our Woodpecker nest box last spring despite trying it out thoroughly. I think they instinctively knew the location was not perfect. The problem was it was exposed to squirrels - and in the months since they have made it into a "squirrel nest box" by chewing right through two 3/4 inch boards. You will see the result at the end of the video! The only thing that can keep squirrels out of a nest box is a metal plate over the opening - maybe
Niagara Falls which includes the larger Horseshoe or Canadian Falls and the smaller Bridal Veil Falls is an amazing natural wonder I haven't visited since a kid. The water flow over the combined falls is the greatest in the world and quite a spectacle. I was pleasantly surprised upon returning recently. There are plenty of touristy things to do away from falls and the "tourist trap" image probably deters some from visiting, but there is still a lot besides the obvious power and beauty of the Falls for the nature lovers who might be reluctant to visit. Pure vistas of the falls can be had and there is plenty for the nature lover to enjoy and spend a day taking in the falls and "hiking" the rim trail and bird watching. Niagara Falls State Park is the first in the U.S. and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who designed Central Park and the vast majority of the park is pretty much devoid of tourists away from the falls. The Maid of the Mist is the classic "tourist" experience and the price is still remarkably reasonable - and being close to the Falls is not to be missed - no matter how played or uncool you might think it is. A tip - don't go on top of the boat with the masses - stay on the lower deck right side for the best video and pictures - as you can see in the video - your gear will get wet. Enjoy!
Here is a link for those who might want to take the paths less traveled around Niagara Falls -
This rough looking Painted Bunting arrived yesterday in central Florida about 5 to 6 weeks early. I have never seen one before about October 17th-24th. This appears to be a young male in the middle of molting. Typically we never see a molting bird as they do not depart their northern haunts until done molting. Believe it or not - this rough looking Bunting will become the most spectacular looking songbird in all of North America this fall. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8-TUzAV4A4 for an example.
Ruby Throated Hummingbirds continue their battle with insects over the sweet nectar in the feeder. After getting chased off by a Swallowtail Butterfly in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXx0v7lMG40
These Hummers now have a rather gluttonous BumbleBee to deal with. The Bee has quite poor table manners, where the Hummers could grab a quick drink while the ants, small bees and butterflies were also drinking - the stout BumbleBee simply sticks it's entire bulbous head into the entrance - blocking others from sharing. The Hummer is clearly aggrivated and snaps and scolds at the Bee - but does not dispatch it.
The magnificent Crested Caracara are rarely seen members of the falcon family in Florida. There is a stable population in central Florida, however, they typically live in very remote open rangeland/ranch areas. They have adapted to live primarily off (unfortunately abundant) roadkill of wildlife - in this case a rather large wild pig. They themselves (and other raptors) are occasionally killed by cars as they eat carrion. If this had been winter time they would have had to fight hard with abundant vultures that move into the same area.
Mother Donkey (or jenny) and child (foal) by the roadside. OK this is not truly wildlife and a bit gratuitous, but I simply could not resist capturing this roadside scene and uploading it once the mother subtly tells the little one to get up with a nudge - which of course is ignored. Donkeys are very intelligent and cautious animals and the mother sensed my presence was of concern and wanted to get the foal up and moving - it was having no part of that idea.
