It has been some time since I have posted to this blog and have decided to get back to it. My first posts are going to be some of the beautiful birds that have visited the yard so far in January. There are some others, but they have eluded the camera, but I shall keep trying! Enjoy!

Robins... Spring has sprung!

There were hundreds of robins in the yard today. This is only the second time in 10 years they have been in the yard en masse. Sure sign Spring is on the way!

Cedar Waxwings Passing Through!

I was hearing this loud, high pitched "shreeee" sound in the yard and then I saw a large flock of birds flying together and hanging out in the tops of the trees. I got the camera and did the best I could at getting the pictures. Since I did not know what bird this was, I resorted to the books and started narrowing it down. Everything I thought it was turned out negative. I set the book down, then opened it and lo and behold the book opened to the page with the cedar waxwing on it and the lightbulb lit! There were probably 40-50 of them in the trees.

Speaking of Red!

The bottlebrush is almost in full bloom right now. This tree puts on a great show!

More Cardinal Shots

Couldn't resist getting more shots of the cardinal.

Spatterdock

Another Florida Native water plant is the spatterdock. This plant sends long tubes around the pond and then shoots to the surface with the foliage from the tube. Fortunately, the freeze killed most of it. It was getting too large for the space. It is meant for larger areas.

Purple Louisiana Iris

As a northern transplant, I miss the Spring floral displays of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and iris. I have come to love the Louisiana Iris as a substitute. They come in a variety of colors and love to be in the ponds. They add wonderful color and texture to the pond garden. This rogue plant made its way to a totally different area of another pond, much to my pleasant surprise.

The white Ibis usually hangs around in groups, but this sole bird was scavenging the yard and pond all by itself. It is a sight to see when there is a whole flock of them walking through the yard together.

Duck Potato

The duck potato are just getting rejuvenated after the Winter freezes.

Dogwood

This is the most blooms I have had on this one. I cannot wait until it gets larger and produces many more blooms. There are several in the area that look stunning right now..... A few more years.. and perhaps this one will too!

No New Nutria Sightings!

Haven't seen the Nutria in the ponds of late, but rumor has it that one is pregnant that is near a neoghbor's pond. Oh joy... Can't wait! Never heard of these before recently and now that seems to be one of the main topics of the people near the river and those who have small ponds. They must have arrived en masse. I hear they have a 25sq. mile territory. My best guess is they walked from Louisiana around the Gulf and here they are.

Can't Get Enough Wood Duck!

Today I was able to get some shots while outside. This was the first time I was able to get the male on the "turtle float". I have seen them on it from the window, but have not gotten any decent shots. They posed for these for a while, then went into the brush to hide.

Mockingbird

I get a great number of birds in the yard, one of which is the mockingbird.

Cross Vine

Another sign of Spring in the Riverview garden is the blooming of the cross vine. There are so many variations of color from bright yellow to deep red as the vine blooms. It is a nice, colorful addition to the garden.