I've been wanting to do this one for a while, but I've never quite gotten around to it before. I stepped out my front door with my cell phone, and I took pictures.
The plan was to get pics of all the wildlife. Alas, that is not what happened. The turtles were not at their usual haunt (and when I got close enough to one in the water, it dove deeper). The Canadian geese seem to have left already. The butterflies would not alight anywhere, so I could not get a decent shot. The fish were too dark to see. And the ducks just wouldn't pose right for a good pic.
But, I was able to take pictures of the condo complex, and some of the critters cooperated. All of these pictures were taken on July 28, 2022. This is a Thursday 13. (It's a blog hop. Join us.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZGnzrr43Ai5e973BR1VfE990FoRGdXoIBKRib7DBKNPwj4BW_kk2fvkbD4PbaYIIVjNaf4SyneCcaVJBnOhLXh6Mw-Y1g78clHOx1NBnc4y8l_Tp0Lgd0hmHlnNox0UY8GWwamp1OTNv_GbiSK-31Eoaf_uLIRTrgMUx5PaDwsVqM9TBkaTqaaJDTQ/s320/IMG_1956.jpg) |
1. The dragonflies were all over the place. This one alighted long enough to let me get this shot. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmxUUroTR8Up_PAdYE7KaK69vsNqVBug3ZF7ixlRHiln0D1m5P-L0eFVBw8RL3dvoO3yxSZ-1RVVMRd30iz8s-cHOTKL9xf3fi7oUXSdylLmBTXAqTfFm5AsWHK_yKUXfjNEfhUPMe_B7OGqnckDm6SurfbwAWLzGVSTxA9wsJovy4VxDz3vfq1aetA/s320/IMG_1959.jpg) |
2. This bird has been around a lot lately. I was surprised it let me get this close, although when I tried to get closer, it made like it was going to fly off, so I turned around and left. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13y5fit_RGJXcbq3iRBAZxNhWx521Beug4N38SDw9cuSioZPGBQZqvxjxWML0XCpSjoJvkRzZ_sliP8t89vy7O5rvWxzX9z6yljqw91kwb-wP8ED41q6IR64Mecu7PcfRPxo5Z0kTQBxcrVmThgwJbFaqmSNAszopuF4bPMmr_R2d724u43aulKOq3A/s320/IMG_1960.jpg) |
3. Once I realized I wasn't getting the wildlife shots I wanted, it was time to find some interesting plants and flowers. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKZ38Ooh2rdfGr66CIikAP63qb2gUSltRDKw1OdUnUGt1lV_9eLqVEuF_jbR06e8G_IU7B7zkvdHjKfm48h3Lg0T2p7Bl3SVtgUY3e16dX3w__N_L5t5GbEbB3-jg88Ek8VrwZgOoceTOAg9Nn6vWY6hj-rmfy-DnBQh4LL5s0JSPwyIZDZT5ZepBVA/s320/IMG_1961.jpg) |
4. I stopped here to get some pics of the fish. You can't see them, can you? So, I figured the lily pads were a nice shot instead. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLcGJjdL6DWLXOcIXkC8Up9JeFferfbSY_jnTudM2PRgVYDXtXPjjf3tn8Imc_S-wmwZdCxOkknKixG3wOs0oGP2K7MDeXSfsfANZtRsBFisO5wDRK3S2MuByvTRdtD7u0UFkz6LR39rn97p2FM1S1GhAtNYoBn7fWnTQEeqh2dkF-2vpwVBM_3Whbg/s320/IMG_1966.jpg) |
5. This is near where the Canadian geese liked to hang out. It's blissfully empty now. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GKjsNuvrEgbrIPeRBPtdQcE3ej8o2d74iFHAndHtWv9AGmPIoRrUkmGCQDZbE7w6vY_GzLd2gJxIoLpLPr4oc4dGAQPYvF_WoZncYDTYs-CmiZv1Yy7_fTYNtstHRAbsjRwJQHvCFcN4DMJGE2yr980pTYPoKbdeeo3hx8pHAhHPcBIB9HTKL0Q6lQ/s320/IMG_1967.jpg) |
6. Another flower. I have no idea what kind. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg5Q5iQpSOXFOD-Y5GE-nPGEE73akEOUWaSCCgaHDTMrVxyf4UrEM5YzplzVFIS4TxLTbxV1_M2bqi46XSrBXBiSkPq-w3E8FBfLzp2eFjz6ERQ4HF8VsVViM8OrJrAqnZnB222W1JijroI9O2t2-DJDdH0STyP33ijnLeyayZwQnR_UTwS-xOaI8tA/s320/IMG_1969.jpg) |
7. I stopped here to catch a hummingbird that was feeding, but it was gone before I could get the shot. This looks like a good plant to feed from. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAjMaGD6TU-fpLJ3oSf1CU6hTYjRWjbKIBl6O6TO_ywpw6Ue3HweEq-A9ZEBCb7bojcH2zJFcZtYsPq9x9cSUnFe95K2Ax4al2CBB4ciI0aK6JPDLj73RryetNlfUJhD2b3s-K39CYNHqYWNFygIJXy9XW_RHfFFwU87IPAarFA31pAl3lgH7NYQhHw/s320/IMG_1970.jpg) |
8. I was just walking along. This is the sidewalk we use. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMj4EEKf46S1wxH6M-6meLdCRyhGS7vsPOG7hypqG1RRMqrjHPYdzM7Ei7JVNB2m-7J17pl4OTAFQ2StzW-3ujh0s_Roh-59foTTFmFMs8sJSJjgFeKdGUGO4kkkEdCAVI4RneiQzKbi87J4yLBUOwZ8afpjEOcV-7PrHFj5vy94pIJCEq2hijeNVXQ/s320/IMG_1971.jpg) |
9. Tree and plants. At this point it was just because the tree is interesting. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu-GlbQKVzymDO8D-V0nlI7nTyrDftx8xbLLiYKLj646y7U-ckARS5l2kEcds30vXqtcePkOdFAXqDZ2CMHWY3ulHNKiaNcDT4YbaZckvoU1tz4zAuDMsMpbWnj2jPFd1kw_cecAprbk_o4dS-Z1a0tjoE9rz6gQp57FHxqEkiE7ZX4SvJe9HQWHYbw/s320/IMG_1972.jpg) |
10. The water trickles around the whole complex. It's a peaceful sound. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa0TNWSOnndkvDtMABgIYtzFsk49o4fgFZ0bL6_XiB1DpzFPJFXDFIIc-Qso6hLyvvX_c_nBXrgQ38peTKSPmkrOcN4fuPiUIm94i2Eb4O8pYUwp1uD_bKJrD2CR4fRPeNCSU2pIC26xEqc5JV_wV2bfntjnNJ3H0IpHe-TjdQrVvOuv295AzXcX_Gw/s320/IMG_1973.jpg) |
11. Another tall plant. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs3d-_JFqwO6kCtF3Q6mj0yvHe64xwAeOLRkuM2A9hDiOS2-K447UOnB2h7avJwym7gxrg2fogpSWS74XYmXnCjQ5gnJG20pTIiGiTJ9Z_9eaSSO0eQ9J1V89CSnLIuBBialeBhgzBnyeghX0PKg-U-rpYFmmCLLK6gdI-Pgn7NYv9HEIA-gOIi5KgA/s320/IMG_1974.jpg) |
12. This is just pretty. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7-jGgjYwfM9XGqG02gD_MhErRCwdCtcNWyvt9o_vI3_EfRJrRAQ5RTQM7aoU3FCx1MTOwmND0jaAIn0DbTpyNLdlj6H3DWsMWH89vWAGk_dA-ppP9tkUPJt9shfBxAH0Kjy-RseX_hpoFwhD-tqOtCjW9VZxb-mi5Y7cJmsrUdOW24_vFiSSzKQvoQ/s320/IMG_1980.jpg) |
13. And I totally lucked out. I had been seeking this bird all day, and it finally was there. It even stood still and let me get close. (I think it was asleep. Otherwise it probably would have flown off before I got even this close.) |
I have never seen a bird like that first one posted here. That's a pretty cool collection just outside your door!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've never seen one either outside of this one that seems to have adopted our complex as its home.
DeleteNice venture off your reg post. Love seeing and watching wildlife esp out and about and not in a zoo or somewhere. Great pics.
ReplyDeleteI think I should do this more frequently, and perhaps maybe find the turtles and fish and ducks. We've got a lot of ducks.
DeleteI think that first bird is a cowgirl...maybe. I love your pictures and the wildlife you got. I have " Picture This" so I can look up that one plant for you. The last pic of the bird..I that an egrett? Maybe some crane
ReplyDeleteI have no idea from the birds. I leave it to you to guess.
DeleteI can't see the fish, but it's still a nice shot. Such pretty flowers! And you got such a good shot of that second bird.
ReplyDeleteGreen Heron? In first bird photo. Egret? In 2nd?
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful place to live.
It is a stunning place. It's a slice of peace in the middle of a city.
DeleteYou do live in a very pretty complex! Fantastic bird photos. Google Lens identifies them as Green heron and Snowy egret. How exciting!
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know. Thanks.
DeleteIt's a beautiful area even without all of the wildlife. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteIt is. I love living here.
DeleteThe butterflies would not alight anywhere..... my perennial problem whenever I want to take butterfly pics.
ReplyDeleteDarn that wildlife that refused to pose for you.
ReplyDeleteNice photos, though.
If they would just sit still so I can take the picture :)
DeleteHi Liz - looks to be a great place to live in - cheerful, welcoming ... lucky you - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThe Canadian geese never go away these days. They don't need to fly south because winters are so warm. So we have them year round.
ReplyDeleteThere's no reason why they need to leave here for the winter, either. Yet, they do. Although, they return in January, so this is their cold weather haunt, I think.
DeleteWhat a lovely place! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, your living area is pretty. The first flowers are hibiscus 🌺, I don't know about the others. Beautiful birds too.
ReplyDeleteNice photo's even if the critters were being camera shy. The pretty yellow flower is a Hibiscus, or at least in the Hibiscus Family. It could be a Mallow, but I'm not sure if there are yellow ones. I have pink and red and know there are white ones. There's not much differerence between a Mallow and Hibiscus.
ReplyDeleteOh. Okay. Good to know.
DeleteThese photos are lovely. I live in an apt. and my "gardening" is limited to a pair of potted plants in my den, so I get your need to connect with the world outside.
ReplyDeleteBecause it's a condo complex, all of the gardening is done by the HOA. Which is fine by me as I can not garden. At all.
DeleteI would guess that 13 is an Egret. I've never seen a white heron. Then again, I've never lived on the US west coast.
ReplyDeleteI've never lived on *any* west coast, tbh. Hmm...
Interesting, as I know you've lived in lots of places :)
DeleteI liked this different post from you. Lovely surroundings. Lovely photos. Even I have no idea what birds or flowers they are!
ReplyDelete