If you don't want to see a beast, stop reading about 2/3 of the way down! lol
I know I've probably seen this butterfly before but I never got a good ID of it.
It's a Queen butterfly and was just gorgeous.
It was so orange, it was almost brick red.
And a few of the pretty birds we've seen this week...
Catbird
Prairie Warbler
Wren
So precious!
And now for the 'beast'! I know many of you think because I post a photo of an alligator, I like alligators. But not really. They are so primitive and scary to me. And as long as I am way up high on the bridge looking down at the Withlacoochee River, I don't mind seeing one.
Someone...NOT ME...wrote in chalk!
But there are 2 hanging out on the swamp side of the trail at Blue Run Park. And they are just about ruining my hiking experience. Everyone is talking about them.
This might be a Mama Gator and she is HUGE!
And then there's a baby, not real close to Mama but in the same swamp.
What bothered me most this past week was that the first time we walked by the big gator lounging in the swamp, we took a few pics and moved on. Then when we came back by, it wasn't there. So then I spent all of my time looking for it! It could be ANYWHERE!!!
And just as we were finishing up our hike, there was a trail of water across the trail where the baby had gone from the swamp side to the river side. Wish Mama Gator would cross over (when I'm NOT there) and stay in the river!
And my oh my but the Withlacoochee River was gorgeous!
Let me see if I can end this with a pretty flower!
42 comments:
...I'll stick with the beauty, thank you!
The birds are truly beautiful. Yes, I am guessing you might be watching your step on that trail.
That does look like a cause for concern! I guess you can't even frighten them by making noise, the way you can do in the northern woods to frighten bears.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hello,
The Butterfly is beautiful, your photos are lovely too.
Wonderful bird sightings, love the Catbird, Warbler and the Wren.
The gators look scary, especially a mother protecting her baby. I have heard them growling and watched them cross the trails. The flowers are pretty, a lovely end to your post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for your visit and comment.
Love the birds and the reflection, but not the gator. They are way too scary for me! Enjoyed your post.
Oh dear...I was drawn like a moth to a flame... *shudder*
Can't they be relocated for everyone's safety?
You know I just had to read down your post to see the beast. Glad I didn't see one in person. Happy weekend and hope it is gator free.
The Beauty is lovely but....
I'd never set foot on that trail again!
-grin-
Said, as a *Damn Yankee* who does not *do* gators.
Brrrr....
🍁 🎃 🍁
The butterfly is really beautiful.
I also like the birds and the alligator.
But photo 13 with the reflection is my favorite.
Greetings Irma
loving the beauty pics, and even like the beast photos but not if it were out of the photo, ha ha.. do they have signs posted warning the tourists they are there? people see all that beautiful water and have no idea it is full of danger... like riding in a boat with hands or feet in the water. yowsa
Oh, I love that butterfly, and the flower is beautiful, too!
Great bird photos!
Have a blessed day!
gorgeous captures today, i see my catbirds are down by you, they left here a few weeks ago!! i have never seen a queen butterfly but you're right, it's stunning!! you captured the prairie warbler nicely, it is a beautiful bird!!
no comment about the gator, i'm not sure i would be able to walk there!! gorgeous reflection!!
I had to look at the beasts! Ugh! Even growing up around them, they are very unpleasant. So SNEAKY for being so large, too! It gave me chills to see the water across the path where it crossed. But the river and the flowers and birds are lovely!
That is a huge gator! Your bird pics are wonderful!
I would not like those gators either. Too scary for me. I used to love to hike. Lovely lovely photos!
Th gator experience is not one for me.
Wonderful images, the Butterflies and the Birds, beauty. Equally, is the Alligators, pretty little teeth, ha ha ha.
I have loved your beauty and beast post today, Diane. Like you, I am not a fan at all of the alligator, but there is a certain something that is fascinating about these critters. I cannot imagine, however, that you go walking in such parts with them so very near. Thankfully your good eye keeps close watch!
I was worried the beast might be a snake and scrolled down very carefully. An alligator photo I can handle, but I wouldn't want to meet one on the path. You're a brave woman! Loved all the beautiful bird photos.
It is always good to have great respect for the gators. You saw a couple of big ones and a not-so-cuddly baby. Lovely birds and butterflies though! Thanks for taking us along! xo
Gorgeous nature shots ~ favorites are the feathered friends ~ Glad we don't have Gators here ~ great photo though ~ Xo
Living in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Hello Diane,:=) What a beautiful post today with gorgeous captures of the lovely butterfly and all the birds. The scene of the river and reflection of the clouds is wonderful. The flower is very pretty, but the least said about the alligator the better, it gives me the creeps !!!
WOW WOW WOW!!! Yes, you did see a "beast"! I would be a bit wary of walking through there, but normally they don't mess with us if we don't mess with them, unless it is breeding time...yeah, I'd be very cautious and aware of every step! But oh my! You sure got some great pictures!!!! Even the birds are wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing your "beauty and the beast" story with us. Just WOW!
You've shared some great photographs.
My favourites are the butterfly and birds.
All the best Jan
The Queen butterfly is gorgeous!!
That sure is one big gator!!
I pray y'all have a good weapon or 'gator spray! Scary beasts.
That gator would have me a bit nervous.
My goodness. An aligator!
Amid what we see as pretty creatures are the animals that look and are more threatening to humans. A mama alligator is definitely worth keeping at a distance. In my neck of the woods, we sometimes run into coyotes.
After reading the title I thought I should be humming the theme song from 'beauty and the beast' but 'crocodile rock' may be more appropriate.
Amalia
xu
I would not wanna see an alligator on my trail. Note en evidence it crossed!! Lordy.
Diane, I always enjoy coming here and experiencing what lays in store on your treks.
Beautiful birds and spectacular river reflection.
Thanks for joining us at IRBB this weekend.
Take care not to become alligator lunch.
It was nice that you followed the scary gator pictures with some gorgeous and happy ones. Those lavender flowers are so pretty, I bet you just love them...your color.
Just don't go in the woods alone. Love all the photos, but the river with all the reflections is simply beautiful. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
Always enjoy your gorgeous photos Diane! You saw such beautiful birds, and the river is just beautiful in all its reflective glory! But oh my, that alligator was a bit much. Now, I live in the north, and we live with wild critters around us all the time. We have procedures for dealing with them, like bear spray, making noise, etc. What kind of safety procedures can you take with an alligator? Goodness, I understand why this puts a kink in your hiking adventures. Many blessings and hugs to you, always a delight to visit you!
I love seeing photos of alligators, obviously because we have none in the UK. I would be thrilled to experience them live but with someone used to living with them to advise me how to proceed.
hi there Diane, that is such a gorgeous river....and looks like y'all were there on such a pretty day--the sky is reflecting so pretty. Love all the great shots of the butterflies. They are fluttering around our garden, I love to see them! We have dragon flies too and those are fun to see too. I LOVE THE PICTURES OF THE GATORS....you know how I love to go out in the swamps and photograph them! If you'd told me I would be doing that 20 years ago I would've just laughed right at you, ha ha LOL!!---but it's true. Of course I stay a safe distance. To me they are just so ANCIENT and so mysterious and yes they are scary and can be deadly, we just have to be wise around them. That one photo of that one looks to be an old one, judging from his spines or whatever those spiky things are called, on his back. They live to be really old I think? Diane have you ever seen or heard the big old males bellowing during mating season? It is something to hear/see!! The males make "dancing waters" on their backs, to attract the females. Like they vibrate their whole bodies until the waters on their backs dance, it's pretty cool. Hope you had a great weekend! I am getting out sweaters and long sleeves.....HOPING FOR COOLER DAYS HERE SOON! LOL
The river photo is so cool with the reflection of the clouds in the water.
Those alligators scare me, oh my. That is the prettiest picture of the
butterfly. It looks so much like Autumn, you should add it to your Header
sometime. The first one is my favorite. The birds are precious, and I
especially love to see the yellow ones. Well, I think that was thoughtful
of someone to write in chalk on the cement and warn about the alligators. Be safe, my friend. You got some good pictures while looking for it. ; )
~Sheri
your butterflies are gorgeous and so are the birds.
The gator, not that much. I don´t really like them. But they have their place in nature too. Glad you were careful that day.
Interesante ver a los caimanes. Todas las demás fotografías son preciosas. Besos.
I am a lover of butterflies. Such a unique and fragile creature. Trails are tricky business sometimes. Our son once saw a racoon with a broken back. He was with his high school XC team and the coach called the animal services. No use making the poor thing suffer.
Your photos are always so lovely.
Enjoy the new week, they come around quickly.
Writing a warning on the path in chalk was a great idea! It could have saved someone's life.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
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