Northern Mockingbird

Fletcher and I spotted this Mockingbird during our visit to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens here in Gainesville, FL. It was posing on some cactus and I was happy to get a photo. The mockingbird is our Florida State Bird and they can be found almost everywhere. Everywhere that is except our yard! They appreciate lots of open area with shrubs in which to search for insects and berries. Our yard has many large trees and isn't to their liking. Northern Mockingbirds inhabit the Southern US and Northern Mexico. I grew up with them in South Florida and I can attest that they can be absolutely fearless defenders of their territory, nest and young! Do take a look at today's *extra...Cactus flower buds, a Fishing Spider and what remains of her last couple of meals and a couple of pretty in pink Azalea flowers. Wishing all of you a Peaceful Weekend. :)