Summer Solstice Nature Viewings: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

As is our tradition, we try to view and film the first sunset of Summer Solstice. This year we did just that, at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, a short 7 miles from our home.

Also were thankful to see at least 1 alligator. In visiting the reserve for 5.5 years, it's been rare that we've not seen at least 1 gator on our visits. This time it was a medium sized one in a small marsh near Heron Hideout.

The panorama of the skies before sunset was just as wondrous as sunset itself, and was worth capturing.

Pelicans & Racoons at Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland 01-26-2014

We specifically went to Circle B this morning around sunrise time (but was overcast and cool and we didn't see the sun pop through the clouds until we were preparing to leave at around 9:10 AM) to view the gathering of White Pelicans which others have seen recently.

While we didn't see them fishing as a group, there were oodles of Pelicans all over the lake. We spent nearly an hour observing them in 2 separation spots.

Enjoy the videos

Hubby joked that we spent sooooooooo loooooooong observing the pelicans that moss started growing on my bike! :)

We saw 4 scampering raccoons on Alligator Alley but only got to quickly film these 2

I liked the water shimmering with the reflection of this tree

A tree of Turkey Vultures

 A Woodstock observes us cycling along the path way beneath it

Tree of Woodstorks

Autumn Evening Skies @ Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

CIRCLE B BAR RESERVE

4399 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland

Website

Celebrating the 1st Day of Winter 2011 @ Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

In Polk County I can always find a reason to explore a new trail or walk a familiar park, however today, December 22, 2011 - the first day of Winter, warranted an intentional outing to investigate something with mystique and intrigue. For me, that was to see if the brown pelicans were back at Circle B Bar Reserve.

It was January 2011 when I first discovered the hundreds that would fly over Wading Bird Way and into the sunset at Circle B Bar Reserve. It was mesmerizing and it brought me back night after night. I couldn't get my fill.

Here's all that I saw while celebrating today:

The sign to guide you

The windmill is opposite the sign

The Wading Bird Way

Cycling Wading Bird Way

Ibis Convention (kidding)

All Summer, this marsh was filled with lush, green plantlife; so much so that you could barely see any water.

There were hundreds of American Coots making a great commotion

The beautiful Blue Heron

This is wonderfully helpful in identifying the birds here

I observed several flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying West at Sunset.

Have you ever heard them trumpeting? Beautiful!

Pelicans in the sunset

Sandhill Cranes

Pelicans

Pelicans

Pelicans

Scenery

Sunset

And last but not least, one of the great things about Florida Winters, 

you can most likely still wear your short sleeves and capris! 

All photos are the exclusive property of Lori Clinch Adams ©All Rights Reserved

Links for Circle B Bar Reserve

byPolk County.net

bySouthwest Florida Water Management District

Fact Sheet

by Florida Hikes!

by The Ledger

Facebook

by Visit Central Florida