One of the things I find most intriguing about Florida is the diversity of critters that live there. I often reflect on what the early settlers must’ve though of those herons, spoonbills, ibis and anhinga, not to mention those creatures in the waterways – like alligators and manatees. As I was looking back through some of my Florida pictures I found some interesting creatures I “captured” during our three months in the state this year.
I think one of my favorites is the Sandhill Crane!

This fellow roamed around the property quite freely (and without much concern about the humans nearby) at AIM and it was always fun to catch him strutting across the lawns. But I was especially pleased to see this little family when we were in Lake Placid in February.

Dad’s not in the picture, and it’s not Mom’s best side – but can you spot the little chicks?? Wish we could’ve kept track of them to see them grow!
We saw osprey and eagles and herons and egrets, but sadly no photos of them this time around! Sometimes it’s just good to watch and wonder! (If you’d like to seem some of them (and even an alligator or two) from our trip to the Everglades back in 2011, you can check them out here!)
There was a resident red tail hawk at AIM that we would sometimes find in unusual spots.

Can you see him perched on the porch? We think he was watching a little gecko because suddenly he took off

dipped low, and was soon heading to feed his family a little before lunch snack.

(Those are pretty pitiful pictures, I know – but hey, I gave it my best shot! (Get it, best shot…..). Sorry.
Speaking of geckos…..they are everywhere! Scurrying across sidewalks, darting into bushes, and even climbing up buildings!


(Those drain spouts were one of items on Gary’s list!)
I’ll be honest, I don’t really know if all those little creatures are geckos or lizards or even newts. But this one

I learned(after a quick Google search) is actually called a curly tailed lizard. Pretty clever, eh?

Here in South Carolina we’ve kept our eyes peeled for interesting critters. Mostly we’ve been rewarded by sightings of beautiful cardinals and a hummingbird that hovered by the front windshield one day. And then yesterday this little Carolina Wren stayed on our mini-antenna and sang her/his little heart out for quite a while.

(The pollen is so thick right now, I’m quite surprised that it can sing at all!
I’ll keep looking for interesting critters here in South Carolina, but aside from a few small birds, this guy has been the most consistent critter sighting.

And it some ways I’m pretty sure that’s a good thing!

All Things Bright and Beautiful*

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Amen and Amen.

*Author: Ce­cil F. Al­ex­an­der, Hymns for Lit­tle Child­ren, 1848