Saturday, December 8, 2018

Hike #65 Blue Run Park Dunnellon

We always see SO much when we hike at Blue Run!

And we take SO many photos! It’s hard to choose just a few!

But I’m trying to keep this hiking series going!

One of the first birds we saw was this Red Shouldered Hawk. We see two quite often and they are probably ‘our babies’. We saw them on the nest a couple of years ago and they stay in the same area of the old nest.

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I loved the Spanish moss in the background so didn’t crop it.

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We also saw this Yellow-Throated Warbler.

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So beautiful!

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And under the bridge we spotted a Green Heron.

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I love the colors of the heron against the water.

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This is probably a Cooter…

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and this a Red Bellied Turtle.

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It’s easy to see why this Kingfisher is the Belted Kingfisher!

This hike was the first time we saw the baby Alligators!

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And thanks to my hubby for some of the VERY best of Blue Run!

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I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

28 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

It looks like an awesome spot for viewing wildlife. I love all the birds, the hawk is a beauty and the warbler is cute too. The green heron and kingfisher are favorites. The baby gators are cool. Awesome photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend! PS, thanks for the comment on my blog.

Arlene G said...

One of my favorite birds is a hawk...any type. They are just so majestic. One day I hope to head to Guntersville Alabama where the Bald Eagles nest in order to see one up close. I imagine they are breath taking birds.

acorn hollow said...

What wonderful sights on your walk.
Cathy

Aunt Helen said...

I love seeing the birds. Great shots.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What wonderful wildlife!

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

What variety you have! Lovely photos of the different birds.

Out on the prairie said...

nice array of treasures. Love those gators. Green Herons are known to catch a bug and dangle in the water to attract fish it would rather eat.

Linda said...

You have such great photos! I always enjoy going on these hikes!

Jeanie said...

It will be quite some time before I see a turtle outdoors -- or for that matter, open water. Lovely!

Adam Jones said...

The Green Herons look fantastic!

HappyK said...

I like the Spanish moss too.
Great shots of the turtles.
Great place for hiking.

Ann said...

Wow, you've got some fabulous pictures from your hike.

Ramblings of a Retired Lady said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures on your hike.

Bill said...

So many interesting things to see on your hikes. Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing and have a wonderful rest of the weekend.

Jeanna said...

Oh yeah, I saw a green heron on what was once a soccer field during the floods this summer. A little boy pointed it out to me. Isn't the kingfisher a cool and unusual looking bird? Lots of hawks around here, I don't think I've seen this one, very pretty.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

I love your photos, Diane! You must share what kind of camera and lens you use, if you don't mind. Glad the alligators were babies--be careful of mama and daddy! ♥

Terri D said...

As always, I love your photos from your hikes!! What a beautiful place!

Lea said...

Great photos! I especially enjoyed seeing the Green Heron from above

Debbie said...

this is such a great place to walk and your photo's are beautiful today!! the yellow throated warbler and the kingfisher were my favorites today, but really all are wonderful!!

the baby alligator is adorable!!

Anu said...

Hello. Beautiful birds. The Red Shouldered hawk looks so great.

Linda said...

Excellent shots! Love the green heron especially!

BeachGypsy said...

Some great close up pictures here, my friend! Love that hawk picture. They have mesmerizing eyes, don't they? I guess that is where the old saying "watching you like a hawk" comes from. Hope y'all are having a real nice weekend, I don't know how much of this cold front is reaching y'all, maybe none? but it sure is COLD HERE. MERCY we were out on the town tonight and it was FREEZING!! the temperature was bad enough...but the hard WIND was blowing COLD COLD RAIN on us! LOl I doubt it it's much colder where you are, so you may be hiking this weekend! It's raining all weekend here, we are doing inside stuff tomorrow.

Anni said...

You always give us so much pleasure and such a great variety of birds no matter where you roam...for that I send along my thanks and appreciation for linking in with us at I'd Rather B Birdin. Have a beautiful week ahead & Happy Birding! Love it all...learned
Of a new turtle species today, thanks to you.

Phil Slade said...

Hi Diane. That looks a very special place for finding birds. I do love all of those you show us today, especially the Yellow - throated Warbler, the Green Heron and the Belted Kingfisher.
They are all so colourful.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a trek! I love them all!!! We're so frozen and snowy!
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I maybe need to take a ride up that direction.

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Preciosas fotografías!!

Gina said...

So many little creature friends! I've seen red bellied turtles here in NC.