[DannyDep]

I look forward to my daily walks in the park with my boyz and my other friends.
While my boyz are no longer physically with me, their spirits walk with me every day.
I pick them up by their favorite trees where their ashes now reside and we walk along the eastern part of Lake Tarpon in our local park.
Most of the time, during the week, we are the only ones making this journey on the boardwalk.
So it is a quiet and conducive to allowing one to meditate with Mother Nature and some of her family.

I have just about finished my “honey do” list of the chores that needed doing around the house so that I could purchase a new camera to be able to take the following photos.
I am learning how to use it and having fun at the same time.

The first two pics are of a Tufted Titmouse.
They live in this area of Florida all year round and have no fear of human interactions.
I have been feeding them since I started to bring raw peanuts down to the park around 6 months ago.






The second two pictures are of a male Northern Cardinal.
While we had them up in NJ they are common to see all year round here in central Florida as well.
In fact, last year we had a nest right in our backyard.
Now I admit it took a while for these guys to trust me enough to land on my hand.
And this photo is particularly funny because I was trying to woo him in to take the peanut.
As one would have it, a titmouse beat him to it and when he did finally decide to land, well like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I was lmao.
But he finally did fly in again to grab his meal.
It is a treat to have such a rapport with these tiny creatures.
I love it.
Hope you get a chuckle out of it too.

[Simple Simon]

Fantastic photos of our feathered friends, Dan! I LOVE the look of that cardinal's face!

[Desertrose]

Nice crisp pictures Dan.
That Cardinal is so regal looking. Beautiful!
There's nothing like the feeling of gaining the trust of an animal is there. Something so small and vulnerable that is willing to have faith in a human being.
I've taken a liking to eating raw peanuts myself lately. Didn't think birds that small would eat them?

[Theresa]

Striking photography...I think we have been to that park...family reunion..
I have a friend who lives on Lake Tarpon..very pretty area
Looking forward to seeing more pictures..I was just out taking pictures of my container flower garden..

Take care
Theresa

[TamsNumber4]

Danny,

Loved the photos, I love birds and bird watch all of the time when they come to my feeder.

I used to live in NJ and used to hike around the "Great Swamp", did that alot!! Even spent holidays walking there, looks similar to where you are there in FL.

What a very nice post........but watch out when you hold out those peanuts....

You might catch the Elusive Australian Tracy.....I hear she likes 'em too!!! LOL!!!

Tammy

[DannyDep]

Simple Simon, on 25 April 2012 - 04:10 AM, said:

Fantastic photos of our feathered friends, Dan! I LOVE the look of that cardinal's face!

yep, he was surely giving me the evil eye .
In fact, I thought he was going to leave me a gift as he flew away.
Thank goodness I had some more peanuts.

Desertrose, on 25 April 2012 - 05:42 AM, said:

Nice crisp pictures Dan.
That Cardinal is so regal looking. Beautiful!

Thanks Tracy.
Yes, he is regally beautiful, isn’t he?
I have other pics that I’ll be posting if not here then on my Facebook page.

Quote

There's nothing like the feeling of gaining the trust of an animal is there. Something so small and vulnerable that is willing to have faith in a human being.

There’s nothing like feeling a spiritual intimacy with life and all of her inhabitants no matter how small and fragile they may be.
Faith is a word one hears far too little of these days. Hopefully it will come back into a meaningful existence.

Quote

I've taken a liking to eating raw peanuts myself lately. Didn't think birds that small would eat them?

Raw almonds are actually better for us two legged animals, lowers cholesterol for instance. But I admit a hankering for raw peanuts as well.
I should probably try to eat them just one at a time.
Then maybe I’ll lose some weight.
If I see a titmouse in the trees I will always split a peanut in half.
They are a wee bit too small for a whole one. But they will take a whole one away just as easily.

Theresa, on 25 April 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

Striking photography...I think we have been to that park...family reunion..
I have a friend who lives on Lake Tarpon..very pretty area

– thanks Theresa.
It’s called John Chesnut Sr. Park and there are always folks having parties and such under the Shelters.
They will even have wedding receptions there. Heck, I’ve even seen a cricket match held on one of the playing fields.

Quote

Looking forward to seeing more pictures..I was just out taking pictures of my container flower garden..

Take care
Theresa

I will probably be posting more photos on my Facebook page.
I love flower gardens too. How could one not?

[DannyDep]

TamsNumber4, on 25 April 2012 - 08:52 PM, said:

Danny,
Loved the photos, I love birds and bird watch all of the time when they come to my feeder.
I used to live in NJ and used to hike around the "Great Swamp", did that alot!! Even spent holidays walking there, looks similar to where you are there in FL.

Thanks Tammy.
I have seen birdwatching groups walking in the park as it appears to be a bird sanctuary and good place to observe them.
Hope to catch other species in my camera lens today. Wish me luck.

Quote

What a very nice post........but watch out when you hold out those peanuts....
You might catch the Elusive Australian Tracy.....I hear she likes 'em too!!! LOL!!!

Tammy

Yes, I have heard of the very elusive and crazy, I might add, Australian Tracy bird.
But all birds are so much more beautiful when they are free, just like you and me and everyone else.
Isn't that true Tammy?
Thanks for your comments.

[TamsNumber4]

Quote

But all birds are so much more beautiful when they are free, just like you and me and everyone else.
Isn't that true Tammy?

When I describe "Hell", I always say that it is to be born with wings and not be able to use them.


I don't believe in caging anything. I have relatives with a bird in a cage and it just is so hard for me, I just don't believe in it.


I wouldn't worry about the Tracy Bird..........I don't know her, but I have a sense of her spirit and she is as free as the wind

and we just watch that beautiful bird touch the sky and see where she goes.


I have shown a few friends your photos, they are wonderful and you are so nice to share it with us.


Tammy

[Theresa]

Yes that is the park we went to..our family reunions were held there for several years..beautiful place

[DannyDep]

TamsNumber4, on 26 April 2012 - 12:25 PM, said:

Quote

But all birds are so much more beautiful when they are free, just like you and me and everyone else.
Isn't that true Tammy?

...............................
I wouldn't worry about the Tracy Bird..........I don't know her, but I have a sense of her spirit and she is as free as the wind

and we just watch that beautiful bird touch the sky and see where she goes.

Heck, I'm not worried at all about that Tracy Bird.
I'm worried about all of the rest of us who have not had a chance to listen her message.

Quote

I have shown a few friends your photos, they are wonderful and you are so nice to share it with us.

Tammy

Thanks for you kind words.
Peace.

Theresa, on 26 April 2012 - 06:30 PM, said:

Yes that is the park we went to..our family reunions were held there for several years..beautiful place

It sure is Theresa. We had no idea about the parks here in Pinellas when we moved down.
I think someone was watching out for my boyz.
They sure loved that park as well. I never needed an alarm clock to get up in the morning.
If I was a minute late, I'd here their commotion until we got into the car to go there.

[Simple Simon]

TamsNumber4, on 27 April 2012 - 05:25 AM, said:

I don't believe in caging anything. I have relatives with a bird in a cage and it just is so hard for me, I just don't believe in it.

I know what you mean, Tammy. I find zoos utterly sad places.

[Jim Colyer]

Enjoyed your pictures, especially the one of the beautiful cardinal. I wish I could get into nature. I am stuck here in the middle of Nashville.
Jim Colyer

[Desertrose]

There is no place you can see the stars Jim?

[DannyDep]

Jim Colyer, on 28 April 2012 - 03:53 PM, said:

Enjoyed your pictures, especially the one of the beautiful cardinal. I wish I could get into nature. I am stuck here in the middle of Nashville.
Jim Colyer

BUZZ!!! BUZZ!!! BUZZ!!! Pinochio moment BUZZ!!! BUZZ!!! BUZZ!!!
Come on now Jim.
Maybe this'll help.
Nashville Parks, Gardens & nature
Centennial and Shelby Parks look pretty nice.

Desertrose, on 28 April 2012 - 07:56 PM, said:

There is no place you can see the stars Jim?

Even better.