To Leyke Ranch Reservoir

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A simple noontime walk in the Greater Tampa area.

A wrong turn turned right when I spotted this Great Egret. Riverview, FL, February 2026.
Arriving at my destination, a reservoir in land known as the Leyke Ranch, I saw an old friend: the Anhinga, seen here in a typical sunning-of-the-wings pose. A strange, almost exotic bird which frequents Florida but gets up to NC only rarely. February 2026.
A short distance offshore from the Anhinga were the similar-looking cormorants. These Double-crested Cormorants reminded me of turtles all lined up on their log…even if one end of it was sinking into the water! February 2026.
A Brown Pelican flew in to join the cormorants. February 2026.
I heard a strange call as I left the reservoir, and turning toward it, I saw two large birds on the island in the middle of the water. I thought they looked like cranes and my sister-in-law identified them as Sandhill Cranes which are nesting out there. Way cool. I’ve seldom seen these birds. February 2026.

On my return walk I noted several interesting looking plants. Altogether a very nice if cool time of it. (It dipped toward the 30’s here this morning!)

February 2026.
February 2026.
February 2026.
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Published by pilchbo

Reporter, editor, photographer. Eighth grade teacher of English and computers. Actor. Quality assurance professional for pharmaceutical manufacturing. And always a writer.

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