Monday, March 29, 2021

Hiking along a Swamp in Florida!

 
I know when I say 'swamp' images of a bog with stagnant water might come to mind. But swamps are living things with plants and birds galore! (and turtles and frogs!)


And always changing!


The water level does go up and down according to the rains and the weather.


So it is always interesting to see how different they can look even from one week to the next.


You can see by the photo of the trail that things have greened up overnight here in North Central Florida. It's our dry season but it has been very warm this week and trees and plants have fully leafed out. 


Most of the trees in this swamp are Bald Cypress which lose their leaves in winter. So the new leaves are a very bright green.


Even the green in the water is plants that are alive and well....just like this alligator.


We were in Blue Run Park for this hike and the Blue Irises are blooming all along the river!


Lots of pretty wildflowers!

The clam shells were empty


and someone got back to the car with only one shoe!


But for us, the hike was a success!


Look at the beauty in nature! It never disappoints!

 
I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,


AND my Monday post HERE.


36 comments:

Tom said...

...I like the cypress knees, they are the bee's knees!

Arlene G said...

Such pretty shades of green, Diane. And those flowers. Spring lifts the soul.

MadSnapper said...

Maybe the shoe belongs to a peg leg pirate haha that swamp is absolutely stunning and I do love all the new Green. Everything is Greening out here even the maple tree in the neighbor's yard that shouldn't even be growing but does

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I enjoyed your swamp images and photos of the trail. The Irises and other flowers are pretty. Neat captures of the gator and turtles. Take care, have a happy day!

Martha said...

Everything is so beautiful! Happy spring - enjoy!

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

What a nice walk through the swamp. I can't believe you saw an alligator! I loved looking at those pretty photos. I hope you have a nice week.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

gorgeous collages and I'm really in love with iris

Gillena Cox said...

We do have swamps but i have never been. Thanks for sharing yours.
Happy you dropped by my blog today Diane

Much💜love

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

How pretty and spring green it all is!

Marcia said...

You have some incredibly pretty places to take your hikes. Were mosquitoes a problem?

Ann said...

That's got to be the prettiest swamp I've ever seen.
Love those iris.

Jeanie said...

So green! And those blue iris -- a wonderful contrast!

Edna B said...

I agree, nature never disappoints us with her beautiful plants and critters. These photos are wonderful. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.

Terri D said...

Always beautiful!!

Sandy said...

The swamp is alive with color. Just beautiful. I never tire of nature pictures.

happyone said...

What a great place for hiking. Lots to see and you got some fabulous picture along the way.

Inger said...

I love to see all this greenery. And I've never seen a swamp in my life. So it's all very fun and interesting for me to visit you.

Vee said...

It is so lush and green and I knew there'd be an alligator 🐊 involved.

Barbara said...

You captured the beauty very well, and with humor (the lost shoe!).

Olde Dame Holly said...

"Swamped" with beauty on that walk!

EricaSta said...

Thank you for sharing, let us be part of your adventures in this overwhelming nature. Are there crocodiles? I'm afraid of them.

Happy MosaicMonday

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Wetlands of every kind are wonderful repositories of nature, and always yield rewards to the dedicated and curious seeker. I have donated a few litres of blood over the years to voracious insects, however!

NanaDiana said...

LOL- I hope that one shoe isn't a predictor that the person disappeared in the swamp, was eaten by a gator, and only one shoe was left! Yes-leave it up to me to imagine something like that!

Love your pictures. We had a small swampy area down at the back of our farm. I loved in the spring when it was alive with the sound of peepers and frogs croaking. Good memories. xo Diana

Pamela M. Steiner said...

So very beautiful and serene in the swamp. I love to look at them as we drive along and see them from the road. Wouldn't want to get lost in one, but as long as there are real higher level trails it would be interesting to walk through. Those irises are so pretty! I love to see them blooming here in the ditches along the road next to the swampy areas. I wish I could make some grow at our house, but you gotta have the right environment, and our place isn't quite swampy enough. (maybe that's a good thing). Thank you for sharing your lovely hike. It looks so cool and pretty there.

Carla from The River said...

I LOVE your new header. I like the title too.
Learning about Florida is fun for me. Many times we only think of the beach, but Florida has a lot more, especially wild flowers, which I do enjoy.
Swamps are fascinating.. and I always like seeing alligators.

Teresa said...

Yo estoy encantada de ver tan bonitas flores. Besos.

Jenn Jilks said...

We live in a wetland, and just adore it.

Lorrie said...

The swamp is mysteriously beautiful. All those shades of green! Just lovely. I walked along a bog this morning and was struck by all the life in it, too.

Ricki Treleaven said...

Beautiful photos: So many gorgeous shades of green!

Angie said...

Diane - I think it is very special to see those blue irises growing in the wild. And how casually you show that photo with the alligator lurking there under the plants - I had to look twice and then I read you words!!! I am finally ready for spring to arrive - a little green around here would be very welcome! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday, my friend!

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely photographs, so much to see.
I think the blue iris is my favourite :)

All the best Jan

Beside a babbling brook... said...

The living swamp, is beautifulllllllll...

But I can see it producing a zillion flying insects like mosquitoes. In the heat of the summer, anyway. -smile-

🌷🌸🎀🌸🌷

Jeannie said...

I've always thought about a swamp as being hot and miserable never realizing it would be beautiful during the cool, dry season. Enjoyed this very much.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

Sylvia said...

L D, I always love the turtles. Have a great Easter. Sylvia D.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful! Love those Iris! You have more Spring flowers in your part of the State!

Red Rose Alley said...

The Blue Iris is such a delicate and lovely flower. That last photo shows the detail of the flower, so pretty. Jess and Nel saw many swamps when they visited New Orleans. Oh my, it's so green there. It's still cold up here in the mountains, and just starting to warm up. Those wildflowers look like daisies. You saw a lot of interesting things on this hike, Diane.

~Sheri