Sunset at Lake Thomas, April 14, 2014

In addition to watching for the full moon rising on April 14, I also got in this spectacular view of the sunset at Lake Thomas!

Sundog/Sunhalo sighting in Winter Haven, April 16/14 at 2:05 PM

My neighbor excitedly called me this afternoon to go outside (with dark glasses on) to view the 'rainbow' that surrounded the sun, so I excitedly did just that, with of course, my camera in hand. It was so unique and unusual, I felt privileged for the opportunity. The only disappointment was that I could not photograph it in its entirety as it was too large to fit inside the frame, so I only have partial frames.

Amusing Bird Fishes For A Twig In Pond In Winter Haven

We are fortunate to have a large pond to the rear of our home, which is home to many bird species, turtles, snails and fish. We actually had the 5'4" Alligator removed from the pond shortly after we moved into our home.  [That's a story with photos and videos for another day! :) ]
This little bird which resembles a heron  to me; was perched on a partially-immersed tree branch in the pond a couple days ago. It is the video at the end which is so amusing. Hope you enjoy it.

The really amusing part was when he repeatedly fished out a long twig!

Beauty In My Backyard, July 2013

I feel so very blessed, as everyday I get to feast my eyes on such amazing, created wonders; both small and grand, from my backyard. Some are in the pond, some are on the pond, some are in the grass, some are on my screened lanai, some are in the 'gecko tree' (tree where geckos hide from my beagle) and others are in the sky. I just need to share them, so I hope you also enjoy them. And all are in the month of July 2013.

Apple Snails live in the pond. Here are two of them having a very up-close and personal connection

.....I didn't ask any questions either!

These are Apple Snail eggs and I've not yet discovered how they slime their ways up branches and trees to deposit their eggs!

More Apple Snail Eggs

More Apple Snail eggs on a tree trunk

A bird's nest in the 'gecko tree'

Angry clouds that brought thunder, lightening and rain

 Many delicate things in one small area

Dragonfly

This time of year, dozens of these teeny, tiny toads are jumping all around the lawn and lanai

Perspective.....

Unknown bug on screen

Same bug with lunch .......or dinner.....

Small, delicate flowers

Reflection of flower in pond

Rainbow after rainstorm

A type of red-winged black bird that feeds from our bird feeder

A type of mushroom growing on the pond bank

My Beagle Bailey sniffing a gecko that is hiding in the drain, which a few minutes later, he had detached the end of the drain and was biting on it to try to get to the gecko!

Here was the little creature inside the drainpipe.

I safely let it go back into the tree, because they eat bugs....and I think that's a good thing.

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Spectacular Clouds From My Very Own Backyard - May 18/13

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man"

If I hadn't gone outside to let the dog in on Saturday May 18 in the evening, I surely would have missed these sights and missed an enormous blessing. 

This is the clouds with sun reflecting and the moon