Saturday, September 26, 2020

The American Redstart at Blue Run Park


We finally got to hike at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon for the first time in 3 months. It was closed for awhile and then when it did open, it was too hot to hike there. I've mentioned before that you walk with a swamp on one side and a river on the other so it's a great breeding ground for mosquitoes and bugs. But on the first day of Fall, the weather was perfect! Warm but lower humidity and a breeze! 


And what a thrill when we got to see a bird we had never seen before.


The American Redstart!


We could see it really well but it 'flitted' so it was difficult to get good photos.


It was easy to identify when we got home though.

It's considered "the butterfly of the bird world".

And how about this? What's black and white and red, yellow and orange all over?


Setophaga Ruticella, of course!


It was quite a day of bird sightings, starting in the parking lot.


A Great White Egret.


Limpkin


Green Heron 
(Duck weed is the beautiful tiny plant that looks like moss or scum in the swamp)


Black crowned Night Heron


He was busy fishin'!


And doesn't this alligator look like it is smiling?

We were high on the bridge looking down when we saw it so no danger there. And no people at Blue Run either. We saw a total of about 8 people in the 2 hours we were there. Incredible!


We spotted another alligator in the swamp, draped over an old log. How funny!


And the log this turtle is on looks like a 'gator! lol


I'm pretty sure this is a Black and white Warbler! 
Let's stand on our heads for a better look! lol

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 



51 comments:

Marcia said...

You do get to see such a variety of birds where you are. I liked that turtle on the faux alligator.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Diane

You have a great variety of birds and photos. I love the Herons, Egrets and the pretty male American Redstart. The Limpkin was one of my favorite Florida birds. Those warblers move so quickly, it is hard to get a clear shot. Cool capture of the gator and turtle. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great weekend. PS, thank you for the comment!

The Feminine Energy said...

Oh what a wonderful treat this morning.... these gorgeous gorgeous pictures. Thank you!!! ~Andrea xoxo

Tom said...

...you saw and captured some neat stuff, the gator I can do without.

Marit said...

Your photos are wonderful! The Great White egret is so beautiful. The alligator looks scary to me even if it's smiling :)

David M. Gascoigne, said...

You had a wonderful outing with the American Redstart being the icing on the cake. Ironically, during the breeding season here, it is one of our most common warblers, never to be taken for granted, however.

MadSnapper said...

The last photo made me smile! And it does look like an alligator made out of a log. Excellent shot of the grinning alligator and I love that new bird that I have never seen before all those brilliant colors. We are so hot and muggy today we can hardly breathe

dq said...

I love all of the photos, but that turtle on the log is pretty special. It is pretty good sized too.
No gators in my neck of the woods. We have bear and mountain lions instead.

Debbie said...

WoW!!! what a fabulous outing!! i would have broken this up in to at least 3 posts...you were very generous with your sharing here!!

i think the last picture was my favorite, and also the log that looks like an alligator!! so many of the birds you shared i do not see but i see the egrets and they are so beautiful, love the picture of your hubby!!

great captures of the limpkin and herons...the alligator is definitely smiling!!!

carol l mckenna said...

What a great nature hike and awesome bird and other critter photos ^_^ ~ Love the little frog !

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Martha said...

The The American Redstart is so pretty, I've never seen one before. All the photos are fantastic Diane. My favorite are the turtle and the adorable upside down bird. Have a great weekend :)

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

So enjoyed your collection of photos, Diane. I caught your keen sense of humour in them today. We have nuthatches who stand on their heads like that warbler -- maybe they are related. It's always so funny to see them.

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

You had a great trip where you saw lots of interesting birds. I admire some excellent photos of herons and alligator.
Have a nice weekend.

amontanalife.blogspot.com said...

Oh my God look at that alligator! I love all your pictures, especially since I love birds. I have a feeder in my front apple tree. And I can watch all day. Which I do... LOL have a great weekend! Kit

Jean said...

What a great variety of birds. American redstarts are pretty birds, we had one hang out with us one spring. Always enjoyed spotting it. Hope you are having a great weekend.

Terri D said...

Good sightings!! Love the photos and that turtle on the alligator-looking log! I always learn something new on your hikes!! Thanks for that!

RedPat said...

What a fine day you had on that walk! And such a variety of birds.

Bill said...

Great shots of the birds, you got a nice variety. The gator is hidden and that's enough for me to turn around and leave. :)
Have a wonderful weekend!

NatureFootstep said...

such a great day! Congrats to the sight of the Redstart. I have seen it on my travels and it is a beautiful bird. The Limpkin I have seen once. A fine bird too. And...I did think that log was a gator :) How cool would that be. A turtle on a gators nose. :)
Glad you had a great day out.
Take care.

Ann said...

What a great variety of birds you saw. I've never even heard of that first one. He's quite pretty. Love that last shot. Too cute.

Mae Travels said...

That's a spectacular bird walk, with so many good birds that often make themselves very hard to see!

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Susie said...

Diane, That log does look like a gator. Creepy. The birds are wonderful. I like seeing them. Blessings to all, be safe. xoxo, Susie

Bob Bushell said...

Great showing of a American Redstart, and the Herons. Perfect Diane.

Kate said...

I love these beautiful photos and I am pleased that the Redstart successfully made the trip south!

happyone said...

Glad you got to walk at the park again. You captured some terrific pictures along your way.

Yvonne said...

Your last photo is pretty unique. I like it.

Barbara said...

I'm glad there was distance between you and the 'gator! That zoom lens of yours serves you very well.

The upside down Black and White Warbler is cute!

Kathy said...

I so love your post today. I have never seen any of these birds. It's incredible that there are so many different species of birds around. I am glad you were no where near the alligator. Nasty creatures.

handmade by amalia said...

How nice to be out and about, as long as the gators are a safe distance away. The other critters I like very much.
Amalia
xo

Jeanie said...

I love the name, redstart. And all your birds. Can't say I'd be enthused about a crocodile or alligator experience, though. Happy Weekend!

Joyful said...

You captured a great variety of birds on your outing. It's so nice when that happens.

Linda said...

Great looking birds and I like the turtle!

italiafinlandia said...

Hello,
the American Redstart is awesome for its colours and grace. I like the Limpkin too: both are new to me.
I wish you a happy and sunny Sunday!

BeachGypsy said...

we have those birds here BUT NOT THOSE first two, I've never even heard of those! Love that alligator picture!!! Lots to see and make pictures of that hike for sure.Hope your weekend is going great and y'all are out having more adventures!!

Caroline said...

Hi, beautiful photos of the birds, alligator and turle. I love them all. Greetings Caroline

Anu said...

Hello. What a great variety of birds. Wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing.
Take care.

Anni said...

Thanks for sharing with us at I'd Rather B Birdin this week...always appreciated!

Nancy Chan said...

Great variety from your hike. Cute birds. My favourite is the last one and I like the caption....to get a better look.

Tante Mali said...

Dear Diane,
just found you on Ria's blog. After seeing all these wonderful bird pictures (most of them aren't native here in Austria) I have to post a comment. Ahhh, the aligators are not my favorite animals so I really admire the turtle picture. WOW.
Happy days from Austria
Elisabeth

Jenn Jilks said...

I haven't seen a redstart in ages! Well done.
It's so good getting out, isn't it? Even if there is an alligator!

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

Unbelievable! You saw all those creatures on one hike? I love the "butterfly of birds".

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Great photos! Looking at the Warbler is fun.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

I am in awe of all thise wonderfully beautiful photos! They day the breath away! Thank you! Have a grand day!

Lowcarb team member said...

A lovely post, what a great variety of photographs, I especially liked the birds.

All the best Jan

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Wow! Such a wonderful choice of birds and gators! And even a turtle! Loved all the great pictures! You hit the jackpot at that place! So glad you could go! I've never seen the Redstart either. Very pretty. Thank you for sharing with us.

Linda said...

I thought sure that turtle was on an alligator!!! Amazing photos and thank you for sharing them with us!

Gillena Cox said...

That very green orange is startling. Luv all the photos. Thanks for linking in at my Monday WRites.

Much💓love

Edna B said...

Gorgeous photos! I've never seen an American Redstart. I just love these walks of yours. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Teresa said...

Un gran y bonito paseo con muchas aves y los caimanes ¿ no tienes miedo ? Besos.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I’m so envious of the birds! ! Almost as green as that duckweed)). That alligator log is too funny! I do think alligators often look like they’re smiling. I always knew of the Alice in Wonderland poem “how doth the smiling crocodile .....” just change the one word to ‘alligator’ and in either case admire the smile from afar!

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, I thought that was an alligator at first that the turtle was sitting on. Those alligators would surely startle me. Although, you got a great picture of him peeking through the green leaves. The Great White Egret is such a graceful and lovely bird. It's nice that you see so many interesting things out there, Diane.

~Sheri