My first BIG bike ride . . . .
Wednesday was a BIG bike ride! My first time riding more than just the few blocks around my house.
Priscilla and I went down to Robinson Preserve to ride the miles and miles of trails on our bikes, and hopefully see some Roseate Spoonbills. Most of the time we see them at a distance, but seldom up close. We've been known to sometimes travel hours in hopes of finding these shy and elusive birds. And here they are~~ practically in my own back yard. The preserve is only a mile down the road from my house!
We met there at 7:00 a.m. with our cameras and lots of water in tow. The sun had just come up and it wasn’t too hot and the humidity was low . . . I think it was in the high 70s . . . very pleasant, and what a difference riding a bike instead of walking. First of all, I can cover so much more ground, a nice breeze because you’re moving, and it’s easier on my hips, back, legs and feet. I took my long lens that weighs about 8 pounds, including camera. I never take the big one on my walks because it is just too heavy to carry very far. But on my bike, it fits nicely in the basket. What a great way to travel!
So, we hadn’t ridden more than about two minutes into the preserve and saw the first spoonbills. They were juveniles and flew in almost over our heads and landed in a swampy area very close to the bike path. Unfortunately, we were shooting into the sun and couldn’t get much detail, but we were thrilled anyway and snapped off about 100 pictures before continuing on our way.
Then we headed towards the tower. Our plan was to climb it to the top and see if we could spot any more spoonbills. But when we got there we saw some birds flying and landing just ahead and decided the tower could wait for another day.
Priscilla rode and I walked my bike over one of many long winding footbridges in the preserve. I started to ride, but felt claustrophobic and was afraid I was going to hit the sides, so I got off and walked. But, I figured I had to learn how to do it sometime, so the next foot bridge we came to, I made myself ride and really concentrate on what I was doing . . . no looking around at anything. I made it, but I didn’t really like it.
Anyway, soon we saw our second bunch of spoonbills and a few other birds. We stopped and I took about 200 more pictures.
We spent almost three hours there. I was pretty tired and hot by the time we got back to our cars. I think that was my limit for the first time out. But what a workout~~I got my heart rate up, which is something I don't do on my daily walks.
I can’t wait to go back!
Lots and lots of pictures
1. These first 11 pictures I call the "Robinson Kids." They are the juveniles we first came across . . .
2.
3. They are so sweet. I think spoonbills have such kind faces and eyes . . .
4.
5.
6. I love this one . . .
7. They would stretch their necks to the sky and make this soft cooing sound when other spoonbills would fly over . . .
8.
9. Just a reflection here . . .
10.
11.
12. One of the juveniles taking off towards the tower . . .
13.
14. This is the second body of water we found with many spoonbills and other birds, too. The reflections were incredible! Some with green and some with sky blue . . .
15.
16. Reddish Egret and spoonbill reflections in the background . . .
17.
18.
19.
20. They love to stretch and twist their necks . . .
21. Reverse reflection . . .
22. Splish splash . . . taking a bath . . .
23.
24.
25.
26.
27. More twisting . . .
28.
29.
In this next group of four pictures it took about five minutes for them all to gather in a row . . .
30. Two ibis . . .
31. A spoonbill and two ibis . . .
32. Two ibis, a spoonbill and two ibis . . .
33. A spoonbill, two ibis, a spoonbill and two ibis . . .
34.
35.
36.
37.
38. A yawn, a cough, a laugh ???
39.
Tower
40.
One of the bridges
. . . to be continued tomorrow.
Priscilla and I went down to Robinson Preserve to ride the miles and miles of trails on our bikes, and hopefully see some Roseate Spoonbills. Most of the time we see them at a distance, but seldom up close. We've been known to sometimes travel hours in hopes of finding these shy and elusive birds. And here they are~~ practically in my own back yard. The preserve is only a mile down the road from my house!
We met there at 7:00 a.m. with our cameras and lots of water in tow. The sun had just come up and it wasn’t too hot and the humidity was low . . . I think it was in the high 70s . . . very pleasant, and what a difference riding a bike instead of walking. First of all, I can cover so much more ground, a nice breeze because you’re moving, and it’s easier on my hips, back, legs and feet. I took my long lens that weighs about 8 pounds, including camera. I never take the big one on my walks because it is just too heavy to carry very far. But on my bike, it fits nicely in the basket. What a great way to travel!
So, we hadn’t ridden more than about two minutes into the preserve and saw the first spoonbills. They were juveniles and flew in almost over our heads and landed in a swampy area very close to the bike path. Unfortunately, we were shooting into the sun and couldn’t get much detail, but we were thrilled anyway and snapped off about 100 pictures before continuing on our way.
Then we headed towards the tower. Our plan was to climb it to the top and see if we could spot any more spoonbills. But when we got there we saw some birds flying and landing just ahead and decided the tower could wait for another day.
Priscilla rode and I walked my bike over one of many long winding footbridges in the preserve. I started to ride, but felt claustrophobic and was afraid I was going to hit the sides, so I got off and walked. But, I figured I had to learn how to do it sometime, so the next foot bridge we came to, I made myself ride and really concentrate on what I was doing . . . no looking around at anything. I made it, but I didn’t really like it.
Anyway, soon we saw our second bunch of spoonbills and a few other birds. We stopped and I took about 200 more pictures.
We spent almost three hours there. I was pretty tired and hot by the time we got back to our cars. I think that was my limit for the first time out. But what a workout~~I got my heart rate up, which is something I don't do on my daily walks.
I can’t wait to go back!
Lots and lots of pictures
1. These first 11 pictures I call the "Robinson Kids." They are the juveniles we first came across . . .
2.
3. They are so sweet. I think spoonbills have such kind faces and eyes . . .
4.
5.
6. I love this one . . .
7. They would stretch their necks to the sky and make this soft cooing sound when other spoonbills would fly over . . .
8.
9. Just a reflection here . . .
10.
11.
12. One of the juveniles taking off towards the tower . . .
13.
14. This is the second body of water we found with many spoonbills and other birds, too. The reflections were incredible! Some with green and some with sky blue . . .
15.
16. Reddish Egret and spoonbill reflections in the background . . .
17.
18.
19.
20. They love to stretch and twist their necks . . .
21. Reverse reflection . . .
22. Splish splash . . . taking a bath . . .
23.
24.
25.
26.
27. More twisting . . .
28.
29.
In this next group of four pictures it took about five minutes for them all to gather in a row . . .
30. Two ibis . . .
31. A spoonbill and two ibis . . .
32. Two ibis, a spoonbill and two ibis . . .
33. A spoonbill, two ibis, a spoonbill and two ibis . . .
34.
35.
36.
37.
38. A yawn, a cough, a laugh ???
39.
Tower
40.
One of the bridges
. . . to be continued tomorrow.