Monday, October 16, 2017

The Beauty of Florida Swamps

Many of you have not seen the beauty of Florida swamps....but let me assure you, they are breathtaking! When the sun is out, shining through the Cypress trees it is magical!


 Don't you love these Cypress knees?

 
You may think of swamps as having brackish water but most are alive and well and teeming with 'wildlife' and beautiful plants. 


The swamps we walk past at Blue Run Trail in Dunnellon have a lot of duckweed growing on them. That's what the green is on the surface of the water....thousands of tiny plants called duckweed. Of course there are other water plants too. I did some research on Florida swamps and think this would be considered a Floodplain Swamp.


We finally got out for hike #34 even though it was 90 degrees! It really was a gorgeous day!


The Red-Bellied Cooter is one of the slow moving animals that lives in the swamp.


Thanks hubby for this amazing photo!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE .

37 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I think the Florida swamps are beautiful. Pretty captures of the swamp, trees and their knees. The trail looks nice too. I like teh cute Red-bellied Cooter. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Susie said...

Diane, Your husband got a wonderful shot of the turtle...you can see it's underside in the reflection. Sweet. I love Cypress trees and the knees. LOL. Great swamp pics. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I've seen a bit of that :)

Annesphamily said...

Such fabulous photos here! It us so interesting looking at all the different landscapes our country provides for us. Thank you for sharing. I am happy to back blogging more than anything else. Not interested in the opinions of others regarding politics, etc. It has gotten so mean and nasty. I Use my blog as a way to remind myself and those I love what our life is about and how blessed we all are. I enjoy seeing all the different talents here. I hope your week is good and filled with many blessings. HUGS

happyone said...

Oh yes they are beautiful. I knew someone who painted Santa's on cypress knees.
I do like the picture of the turtle. He looks like he is really enjoying the sun! : )

Pamela Gordon said...

Hi Diane. I enjoyed this post with the swamp photos. Such a different world from where we live but so interesting to see. Have a great week. Pam

Linda said...

I’ve never seen Florida swamps! We drove through a lot of swamp areas coming home from Alabama. Not nearly as pretty as Florida.
The turtle pic is amazing. I feel like I could touch him!

Terri D said...

That turtle photo is amazing! The swamps do have a beauty all their own!

Arlene G said...

Great photos and good for y'all persevering in the heat.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Stunning beauty in swamps! Gorgeous photos sweet Sis!

Maggie said...

What a great place to hike through, I’ve never seen a swamp like this before, love the red bellied cooter and the cypress knees!

Sandy said...

I do love the cypress trees. I am so hoping it cools down just a bit soon. I will take the warm without the humidity. I hope you saw no snakes, but I kind of doubt that.

Geraldine said...

wow, how cool is that! I've never been to Florida but it looks like such a diverse landscape.

Love your new header Diane, so pretty!!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The Cooter is just gorgeous. A beautiful photo, yes, but so are the swamp pictures (I love cypress knees, duckweed, and.... oh I am getting homesick for Florida!

Susan said...

Some interesting textures and colors for sure. Love the turtle! XOXO

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

great photos and I wanted to let you know that the Brevard Zoo is only $5.00 a person (Fl resident) on Tuesdays during Oct--so you got 3 Tuesdays to come over and visit it--other wise even the senior rate is $19--
enjoy the moments, di

Vee said...

Mr. Red Belly Cooter looks very pleased to be enjoying the lovely day. Glad that you folks got out and about, though 90° is way too warm for me.

Anonymous said...

Hello sweet turtle! Maybe it's me but I think the swamps look like a scary place...

handmade by amalia said...

You've outdone yourself, Diane! These photos are stunning.
Amalia
xo

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Preciosas fotografías!!!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Super photo, especially of the turtle! Love it!

Lowcarb team member said...

What a brilliant photograph of the Red-Bellied Cooter ...
But all of your photographs do show the beauty of this area, and I love the mosaic.

All the best Jan

Janey and Co. said...

I agree, all the shots are beautiful, especially the one of the turtle.

Lorrie said...

What a great shot of the Cooter. He looks like he's waving at the photographer! 90 degrees is a warm day to be outside. The swamps are pretty with the green pollen/algae on the water.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Absolutely amazing. Such beauty. Love the new header too - your area is so beautiful. We are having heavy rains and chilly weather - typical of this time of the year. 2 3/4 inches last night - it was really coming down. Have a grand week my dear, and enjoy your walks. We certainly enjoy the photos.

BeachGypsy said...

these are amazing pictures of the swamp, my friend!! Love them! You're right--the swamps have their own mysterious beauty--I never thought I would like them, much less go out and photograph things in them (like GATORS! HA HA lol)--we do, and I now enjoy it. Love these pictures!

podso said...

That is a great photo taken by your husband. I enjoyed seeing your swamp photos.We visited a swamp near a Charleston plantation earlier this year. It was fascinating. I hope it starts cooling down for you; it has here finally!

Cherdecor said...

Oh my! that carpet of duckweed is aww-mazing! Beautiful pictures!

Pam said...

Oh that is so beautiful. Not knowing swamps or ever going in them I would be afraid of what I might come across but it looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

It does look very beautiful! I expect to see a gnome...:) Cute little turtle! x K

Red Rose Alley said...

These are wonderful pictures of the swamps, Diane. And that Red-Bellied Cooter is very unusual. What a pretty thing he is. When the girls visit New Orleans, they love to see the swamps there - lots of interesting critters. ; ) That first picture looks like a place the fairies would live, it's enchanting. I enjoyed this post a lot.

~Sheri

living from glory to glory said...

Very nice to see the turtle photo, you are so right the swamps have so many things that are alive and well, after all it is their home (smile)
Happy Day... Roxy

JG said...

The Red- Bellied Cooter's reflection in the swamp is so interesting, Diane. What a great detailed photo your husband took!
~Judy

Connie said...

We went on a boat ride with my brother through some amazing Florida swamps. I could not believe the beauty . . . possibly it's because the alligators keep most people away. Some humans have a way of destroying the beauty of nature. Taking away from it and leaving their trash behind. It's sad.

bj said...

How pretty it is...great photos.
I've always thought of swamps as scary places with creepy things...but I think your swamp is lovely.
Thanks so much for coming by...xoxo

Angie said...

Although I lived in Florida for over three years (as a child) we never made it to the swamps. I would love to see them in person but will happily settle with your lovely pictures for now. The turtle shot is glorious - you can tell he (she) is happy to be soaking up the sun - check out that webbing! Well done to your hubby!

MadSnapper said...

this looks a lot like Hillsbourgh state park.. I love swamps to.