We had beautiful weather this past week and managed to get TWO hikes in...FINALLY!
One day we hiked the Blue Run Park trail in Dunnellon and were very relieved to see that Hurricane Irma had not done any damage to the area around the Withlacoochee River.
Can you believe how beautiful the water was? It was extremely fast moving that day too.
Here comes someone enjoying the day in their boat.
I better hurry and get photos of the 'white bird' across the way.
This was a mystery when we saw it. We knew it wasn't a White Ibis but it didn't really look like a Great White Egret either. And it wasn't!!!
Meet the Little Blue Heron eating along the bank of the river.
A Little Blue you say?
A juvenile!!! Anni has helped me so much with learning to identify many of the birds we have here in Florida. She told me to look at the bill for a certain ID on this little guy.
Now normally the Little Blue Heron would look like this
well he was having a bad hair day here! haha! But you get the idea...he would be BLUE!
Imagine our surprise to see a snow white Little Blue!
Enjoy your weekend! Get outside whenever you can! You never know WHAT you'll see!
I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE
and I’d Rather B Birdin’.
28 comments:
What a gorgeous place to walk. I'm so happy that the hurricane didn't damage it. xo Laura
Hello, the park looks pretty. I like the reflections of the sky on the water. The Little Blues are beautiful, both the white juvenile and the pretty adult.
Great photos. Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
Isn't that interesting about that bird?! Who knew that a Little Blue could be White? lol I am glad there was no damage to that park and I hope you have a wonderful day. xo Diana
Unbelievable wildlife! I always love to see the photos from your hikes!
That is so pretty. I need to find a place I'm comfortable walking by myself.
How wonderful that this area was spared the terrible ravages of hurricane damage. It is truly amazing that the wildlife manages to survive. Good to see you are enjoying nature and sharing with all of us. I learned something new today about the Blur Herons.
Susanne
Such a beautiful place and divine photos ~ love the herons ~ ^_^
Love and light,
A ShutterBug Explores ~ aka ~ (A Creative Harbor)
So much fun, thanks for taking us along.
We all have those bad hair days, don't we? She probably would have preferred having her photo taken on a better hair day, LOL. I'm so happy that things are back to normal after Irma and that you are taking hikes again.
Connie :)
Great photos! I would love to have been a passenger on that boat. Interesting about the baby blue!
Great photos of the river! Love the Heron!
Have a wonderful week-end!
Such a lovely place Enjoyed so much seeing the juvenile Little Blue...Anni knows her stuff!
Beautiful photos--and I do find it frustrating sometimes to identify birds--there is such a difference between male and females and then those 'kids' they have are even a different color --keeps one on their toes that is for sure!!!
and yes--I am enjoying the less humidity these days too and getting outside more!!
enjoy the moments,di
Looks like some great weather and your photos are beautiful.
That's what a little blue looks like? My! I never would have guessed. Magnificent, as is that fabulous sky!
Oh my the water does look so good and the reflections are so lovely too.
I agree it is lovely to get out and about.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
All the best Jan
What a cute little bird! And the water looks great, must be a beautiful place to hike.
Beautiful images! And it's delightful that Anni could help you.
I always enjoy my walks with you, the scenery is gorgeous and you never know who you'll meet (even with a bad hair day that heron is lovely).
Amalia
xo
Lovely shots. I've never seen a juvie blue, that I recall.
Very cool
How beautiful! I hope we don't pay for the great weather later!!!!
We live in a wetland, a little different from your swamps, but similar.
Lovely photos!
Diane, You are so good about getting wonderful bird shots. I love that bird, so pretty. Glad you are getting out and doing your hikes. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
I'm late visiting again. Busy with yard work - finally, tomorrow they are going
to start replacing our fence sorely damaged by the hurricane...so, I want to note I appreciate your linking in at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week!
Diane, the water is such a gorgeous peaceful place for a walk. Simply beautiful! Those birds made me smile. :-)
Those skis are glorious! Love the picture of the cloud reflection on the water. That little Blue Heron is precious. I still wonder why they call them blue - in all the pictures I've seen of them, they aren't too blue. That other Blue Heron is too cute with its funky hair hehehe.
~Sheri
Stunning, stunning and stunning. Love the Little Blue Heron - I've never seen one, so this is a treat. Your parks are so wonderful - and the day certainly was gorgeous. I'd love to be on that little boat. Happy week my dear!
You know, his bill looks a little pale blue to me. Maybe as he matures? Both are really cute! Good for you to do two hikes in one day! Hope the heat is lessening.
Baby hasn't grown into his adult feathers yet!! Isn't he pretty in white though. So happy to see this park is walkable.... have my fingers crossed for the ones I like around our FL home when we get there.
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