Sunday Nature Photo

Joseph Stanko, of Temple Terrace, took this photo of his grandchildren, Gabrial, 6, and Breanna, 3, the week before Christmas at Joan’s Grove on Taylor Road in Thonotosassa.

Joe said he went to the Thonotosassa Post Office in December to mail a package and avoid the crowds at the Temple Terrace Post Office. Joan Robinson, owner of the grove, had placed a basket of oranges for sampling there and a flyer inviting families to pick oranges.

“My wife, Joan (Stanko), thought this would be a great experience for our young grandchildren,” Joe said. “…they had a great time picking a variety of oranges and just running up and down the rows.”

They picked a bushel of mostly red navel oranges, which were sweet, along with some tangelos and grapefruit, Joe said. When the kids were finished picking, Robinson drove them and their oranges through the grove on her golf cart and back to the Stankos’ car.

“We all enjoyed our experience and the oranges,” Joe said.

Do you have a local nature photo you’d like to share? Email it to ashley.reams@patch.com and it could be featured on a future Sunday.