Saturday, July 9, 2016

It’s Florida! ‘The Inglis Locks on the Withlacoochee River’

So when you get to swampy areas…

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you LOOK for alligators!

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Let’s walk out onto the overlook to see if we can spot one.

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It was a super bright day but the sun and water cooperated and I really got some amazing details.

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These were some of the best photos I’ve ever taken of this prehistoric looking creature.

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If you don’t want to SEE the details, jump to the end of the post for a bird photo!

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And I’m zooming…believe me, I wasn’t close to this guy!

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We made several stops at boat ramps and overlooks on the Withlacoochee River and this is the only alligator we saw.

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But he really posed for photos!

This Anhinga was perched on a nesting platform.

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I was too far away to get a crisp photo but he sure had beautiful markings.

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Okay..I tricked you! Just one more I promise!

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I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

27 comments:

Susie said...

Diane, You did get some great shots. That gater looks mad...like he's frowning the whole time. You should have said, Say "cheese". LOL. You are getting to be a fabulous photographer. Have you and your husband ever thought of maybe making some guide books or adding some of your photos and info to the others.?? Blessings for a great day there. Glad you are careful my dear friend.. xoxo, Susie

The Bear's Blog said...

Okay, you said "no more" and what did you do? You did get amazing shots, I have to admit - the subject matter? Not so amazing. Thank goodness for zoom lenses.

Happy Saturday
Hugs

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I am so happy you were not close to the gator. Thank God for the ZOOM. Great shots of the gator and the Anhinga.

Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

PS, I also love the sky and reflections on the river!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Egads! They surely look just as scary up close as they do from far away. I've never seen an Anhinga before...pretty cool!

Susan said...

Great photos, Sis! Thought I was right there with you. You take the best trips to see the areas where you live...something I've told myself we have to do. Enjoy your weekend, XOXO

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I'm always thrilled to get a shot of a gator. I don't know what it is about them. The history in their eyes? The innate predator?

Diane said...

WOW!

carol l mckenna said...

What a photo shoot for you and us! Fantastic alligator ones and that bird is fascinating and all so well done ~

Happy Weekend to you ~ ^_^

Connie said...

Great shots . . . I don't know what I would do if we had alligators around here . . . my kayak would never "NEVER!" go into the water :)

GreenComotion said...

Lovely photos of Mother Nature.
Enjoyed my visit.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Peace :)

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Fabulous photos! I don't miss seeing those Florida gators, but they are amazing creatures. Like you said, prehistoric. I'm always surprised to see folks kayaking and canoeing near them.

Carla from The River said...

I love alligators. When I visited Florida way back when, that was what I was most excited for. :-)
Great photos!
Carla

Geraldine said...

Oh wow....that gator!!! He really did seem to be posing. I think I would have been scared silly. Is it true that they come on land at times, in parking lots etc? I don't know if that's just a rumor or not!

Have a super summer and stay well away from the gators ok!!!

Vee said...

Nice photos of the beast... They do make me shudder.

Anni said...

First of all, such clear water where the alligators were seen!! Around here, the water is so murky and when they move, it stirs up the mud bottoms and nothing is seen well like YOUR great photos.

Looks to me like the Anhinga is in breeding plumage?!! Beautiful they are.

Sharing your link at I'd Rather B Birdin' is always very much appreciated by all us birders...and I thank you.

valerietilsten59.blogspot.com said...

Hello Diane,
Wow, what great shots of the alligator .... he looks mean.

I think i saw some canoeists on the river... pretty scary..

Hope you are well.. always nice to see what your up to down there in beautiful Florida.
xxxxx Val

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Hee hee - you and your sneaky alligator. Great close-ups - but glad you were not close - those things terrify me. Happy rest of the weekend my dear.

Pondside said...

That is a scary amphibian! I don't think I'd like to get very close to one of those!

Linda said...

Great shots Diane, thank goodness for zoom lenses :)

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Wow ....beautiful shots....thanks for sharing!
Have a great week...

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Hahaha -- I KNEW you were using ZOOM . . . or at least I HOPED so! They are fascinating creatures . . . from a safe distance!

Sam I Am...... said...

The reason you didn't see anymore alligators is because they're all on the golf courses! LOL! Love that bird...gorgeous! Great photos as usual!

BeachGypsy said...

Love gator photos!i need to go out and make some new ones too

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I enjoy spotting alligators -- and prehistoric looking is the perfect way to describe them; I think that's why they fascinate me so -- its as if they've been around since the dinosaurs and haven't really changed. Thanks for keeping us posted on what's going on in our other home state while we're gone!!

Red Rose Alley said...

Yikes, you don't want to get too close to this guy, he kind of looks ornery. But you did get some good pics of him, Diane. And he DOES look prehistoric.

~Sheri

Linda H said...

Great shots of that gator, Diane. I think you were plenty close, even with the zoom. Not a creature I would want to snuggle up to....