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This heat is brutal, if you are going to bathe in public, do it with gusto! This Northern Cardinal almost looked like a new species, it was so wet. Currently the most popular place in the garden... #cardinal #bird #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #florida #heatwave #bathingbird https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx8YHkKJQxL/?igshid=c4jl9z00fncu

We have had the pleasure of watching an Eastern Phoebe family this week. There was a breach of the nest and these two fledged early. They were able to fly and the parents had no trouble finding them for dinner. The parents continue to feed the chicks for one to three weeks after they leave the nest so I'm hopeful they will be just fine. #easternphoebe #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #birds #bestbirdshots #babybirds (at Creekside Mountain Cabins) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw-rpyLAjH4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=164a6toefm128

A Sweetbay Magnolia, first of the season. These are quite small, about the size of a lemon. And in fact, they smell like a lemon. They will bloom in the Spring into Summer and one of my favorites. #sweetbaymagnolia #magnolia #magnoliavirginiana #flower #bestflowershots #Florida #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl https://www.instagram.com/p/BwLHi2KAjNq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nychbskevfdt

The elusive American Bittern in stealth mode. This was an amazing sighting as these birds are very large, it was right in front of me, and we still had a hard time finding it in the hyacinths. #americanbittern #bird #heron #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #nature #wildlife #amazing_shots #bestbirdshots #lovebirds (at Sweetwater Wetlands Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu3dFaGgksU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=42whn78zmnje

Spring has arrived, all of these butterflies showed up in my garden today, plus a few others. It was a beautiful day! #butterfliesofinstagram #butterfly #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #mexicansunflower #zebraswallowtail #monarchbutterfly #southerndogface #paintedlady https://www.instagram.com/p/BuujAubgMoy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mxpr6q9d0dh7

The trees were full of Cedar Waxwings this morning. They are such beautiful little birds. They frequently arrive with American robins and today was no exception, dozens in the trees and yard. #cedarwaxwing #birds #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs6oJn9gNJF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5tic5vmolexk

One of 6 male Painted Buntings seen today. An amazing outing to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. It is a trip back in time through an ancient cypress forest. Well worth a trip. #paintedbunting #birds #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #Florida #audubonflorida #audubon_fl #corkscrewswampsanctuary (at Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrgpfEHAbzY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=156nvn056zky9

A very nice day with my hubby today. We both did a bit of what we enjoy and it was great weather. One of the highlights of the day for me was seeing my second coyote ever, and for the first time being able to capture it in a photograph. This was taken in Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. #coyote #kissimmeeprairiepreservestatepark #florida #floridastateparks #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #travel (at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BreNRt9gJgF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jwa2aduin9ws

Little Yellow butterfly (Eurema lisa) pair doing the mating dance. These butterflies are unique in that you rarely see the black colors because they are so very fast. Summer is in full swing. #littleyellow #euremalisa #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #butterfliesofinstagram #butterfly #florida #lepidoptera

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papillo glaucus) on Mexican Sunflower. These can be found from Vermont to Florida and usually live near woodlands, creeks or rivers as well as home gardens. #easterntigerswallowtail #butterfly #butterfliesofinstagram #nature #papilloglaucus #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #mexicansunflower #flowers

One of my favorite subjects, the Ruby-throated hummingbird, taking nectar from my milkweed. This could be a young male, but isn't clear yet. A hummingbird can dive at speeds up to 49mph. Their heart beats over 1200 beats per minute. And they can breathe up to 250 breaths per minute. No wonder they have such a high metabolism! #hummingbird #bird #bestbirdshots #birdsinflight #birdsofinstagram #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #milkweed

A very fresh Red Admiral butterfly, the colors were brilliant. They are very fast and don't sit still for long. #redadmiral #butterfliesofinstagram #butterfly #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl

It might be raining but this Ruby-throated hummingbird is taking advantage of the available flowers. I believe this is a juvenile male. Happy 4th of July! #hummingbird #rubythroatedhummingbird #mexicansunflower #flowers #nature #birds #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl

Tawny emperor butterfly on a Sycamore tree leaf. They usually hang out in the top of the trees and are very fast. #tawnyemporer #butterfly #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #butterfliesofinstagram #asterocampaclyton

The yard is just overflowing with Northern Cardinals right now. This juvenile was very curious about what I was doing. Did you know that the Northern Cardinal is so popular it is the State bird for seven states?   #birds #cardinal #juvenile #nature #cleargram #igersstpete #lovefl #northerncardinal

 A Zebra Longwing butterfly, heliconius charitonius, on Mexican Sunflower. This is the state butterfly for the State of Florida. The host plants, the ones where they lay their eggs, include purple passionflower and corky passionflower. #zebralongwing #butterfly #heliconiuscharitonius #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #mexicansunflower #butterfliesofinstagram

It's that time of year when my Mexican Sunflowers are in full bloom and full of butterflies. I counted nine different species in a matter of minutes, including this Gulf Fritillary and Monarch butterfly. #gulffritillary #monarchbutterfly #butterfliesofinstagram #butterfly #nature #wildlife #igersstpete #cleargram #lovefl #mexicansunflower