Of course there's a twig...there always seems to be a twig hiding a bird (or a part of him). :-)

There were numerous Ruby-throated Hummingbirds zipping around (and within) the dense planting of bougainvillea at Castellow Hammock Preserve, Florida. This was the only one that showed any "rubies" in his throat. The others were either females, juveniles, or males like this one, that had not yet developed the full ruby gorget.

Tags:   bird small bird red ruby ruby throat long bill hummingbird Ruby-throated Hummingbird green green feathers flowers bougainvillea Nature wildlife Castellow Hammock Preserve south Florida Florida background blur Jan Nagalski jannagal

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There are many garden variety hybrid spider lilies. This is the Coastal Spider Lily, a native wildflower found in marshes and wet areas of the southeast States. This one was seen at Loxahatchee NWR, Florida.

The fairly large flower (about 7 inches, 18cm) has six long narrow petals that radiate from a cup-like base. Six long stamens project outward between the petals.

Tags:   flower spider lily Coastal Spider Lily Hymenocallis crassifolia wildflower native wildflower white marsh flower wetlands Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR national wildlife refuge Florida Nature wildlife Jan Nagalski jannagal

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This Pied-billed Grebe is still wearing his winter plumage, and is not ready for mating. He was seen in the calm water at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida.

Tags:   bird grebe Pied-billed Grebe diving duck small duck Podilymbus podiceps Nature wildlife pond lake marsh Wakodahatchee Wetlands Florida Jan Nagalski jannagal

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Florida's "State Butterfly" is this Zebra Longwing.

With its proboscis at the ready, it landed at the tip of a plant stalk that was being "strangled" by some vining plant, witnessed by this tendril waving in the breeze. Apparently not finding much to eat, the longwing butterfly left quickly. There may have been "slim pickings" since there were very few flowering plants in this area of Loxahatchee NWR, Florida.

Tags:   insect butterfly Lepidoptera longwing yellow stripes black wings black yellow vine tendril Zebra Longwing Butterfly Heliconius charitonius bokeh background blur Nature wildlife Arthur M. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge NWR wildlife refuge Florida Jan Nagalski jannagal

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This Northern Cardinal posed for at least 20 minutes at Castellow Hammock, Florida.

Happy Easter Flickr Friends.

In Explore #57, March 31. 2024

Tags:   red red bird crest red crest red bill cardinal Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis background background blur bokeh black black face black neck Nature wildlife Castellow Hammock Florida Jan Nagalski jannagal Happy Easter Explore In Explore Explored #57

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