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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Evening of 1st Day of Summer 2013 at Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

The afternoon of the 1st day of summer 2013 contained heavy rain, thunder and lightening .We had planned to meet with friends to cycle at Circle B Bar Reserve that evening but had doubts initially that the rains would subside. After waiting it out a bit, we decided to go even as the rain drizzled. We are SO glad we did. Enjoy what we got to see in person.

Opposum on Alligator Alley

After living in Florida 3 years, this is my first viewing of a live Opposum

Viewed from the Observation Deck at Lake Hancock (off Alligator Alley)

Lake Hancock 7 pm

4 of us rode our mountain bikes around the reserve

Gators from a distance, thus the lack of sharpness & clarity of photos

ALONG ALLIGATOR ALLEY

My husband at the lakeside

A pretty view of the sun reflecting the clouds onto the water

We are always on the lookout for gators in the marsh

RIDING TOWARDS WHERE WE WOULD SEE THE SUN SETTING OVER THE MARSH

ON WADING BIRD WAY

Tricolored Heron

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron on the marsh

View of the Marsh

The 1st sunset of Summer 2013 seen on the marsh at Wading Bird Way

The sunset viewed through my bike mirror

Final vestiges of Summer 2013's 1st sunset 

Enjoying scenes like these are best when shared with friends

Thanks Bob (Hubby), Lisa Marie & Karl (Newlyweds)!