We saw some news about Blue Run Park in Dunnellon but we hadn't had a chance to visit the park.
Withlacoochee River
One early morning it was 'less hot' and it had rained the night before so we headed over there.
the Swamp
And read the letters that stated some of the large alligators had been relocated!
We love our wildlife here in Florida but there was a huge alligator on the swamp side of the trail that was a little too close for comfort for us too. So I'm glad he got moved to a better location. Lots of people walk on this trail, including people with dogs and small children in tow. An alligator can move faster than we can get out of the way, so this was good news.
It was funny to see this huge turtle on the alligator log though.
Do you think he ATE the alligator and took over the log?
Just kidding....just kidding!!!
And maybe the Wood ducks are missing the big alligator in their pond.
They found a log that looks very much like an alligator and started preening.
We love these beautiful ducks.
And don't forget....this is not scum or algae in the water.
It is a plant called duckweed.
I hope you've had a chance to get out in nature even if it is just to walk around outside where you live. It's hot here so I make my hikes shorter but there's no way I can stay inside every day!
43 comments:
...but where are the gators?
Scary to see a hazard notice on a trail. Stay Safe!
Fifty miles would be too close for comfort for me when it comes to alligators! But it's a lovely park!
glad to hear they are on top of the gator problems. that swamp is so beautiful. just way to hot for me outside. I can't take heat/humidity. my outdoors is only in the winter
Breathing a sigh of relief for all those who would like to use this trail. Entirely too many attacks/deaths being reported out of Florida these days. As you know, they creep me out. 😳
Have you been to the beach lately?
Yikes my friend. Looks like a gator could hide in that water. I would probably be creeped out walking near it. The hair on my head is standing up right now. Be safe. Glad you walked when it was a bit cooler. This has been a terrible hot summer so far. Blessings to you and yours, xoxo,love, Susie
I learn something new with every one of your blog posts.
That alligator -- I'm glad he was relocated!!!! We ate at Swampy's a few weeks ago. When the sun is less intense, we may try kayaking the Rainbow River.
Such beauty to me!!! I am glad they relocated the alligator!!!
What a beautiful place to go walking!!
LOVE the turtles!
Your nature is 100% different from mine and I enjoy visitng it with you.
Your photos at Blue Run were great, and I love the ducks. Where I come from the Loon is our State Bird and I think it is a very pretty sort of duck too!! Stay cool. Love, Aunt Helen
Wonderful photos - the wood ducks are so pretty! That really is a large turtle. Glad the gator is gone and hope he has a better home. Every place has its wild things to beware of. Enjoy your weekend and stay cool! x K
Beautiful photos again and thank you for sharing! I actually got out in nature this week!! Whoohoo!! Stay cool!! xo
What a beautiful place to walk.
I can imagine it will be a bit quieter now that the alligator has moved.
We only see alligators in a zoo.
Greetings Irma
I would hate to have the job of catching and relocating an alligator.
Wonderful news! I do appreciate the natural beauty of our lovely state, including the alligators in the swamps, etc., but yes they sometimes are too close for comfort and are very unpredictable, (esp. during mating season), so I am glad to hear they are being more proactive in relocating them to less populated areas. Now you can walk a little more freely without quite as much trepidation! Although, I am sure you know you always have to be on alert when walking in our woods. Most creatures run the other way when they see humans coming...but there are some who would rather "fight than switch" places with you. LOL. I enjoyed your pictures of the ducks and turtles and the beautiful scenery. Thank you for sharing, even when it is just too hot for man or beast to be out there!
Lots of duckweed for the Wood Ducks to eat. When the alligators rule they will move the humans!
The duckweed does run thick there which is quite lush looking. So glad they moved the largest alligator. Safety first. Such beautiful ducks and look at the size of that turtle!
This certainly makes walks seem safer. Sounds like this alligator was "king" of the jungle and getting a little too bossy. :)
You have the most amazing spots! I love it.
(ツ) from Jenn Jilks , ON, Canada!
Hello. Nice looking sceneries. Wood ducks are beautiful.
Take care.
Hello,
I am glad the big gator was moved to a new home. People can feel safe walking on the trail now. Awesome captures of the cute turtles and the Wood Ducks.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
I would be very excited to see your alligators but being inexperienced in their behaviour I might well do something silly. A camera can be a dangerous piece of equipment don't you think? I guess the folks doing the captures are very experienced but don't need an audience when they do their job. Have a good weekend Diane.
Oh ! Wow! Wonderful photo walk with you and Fl's wildlife ~ great photography ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explrores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
With alligator in mind, every log will seem like one. The ducks are beautiful. Would like to walk on that trail.
The swamp looks interesting but I wouldn't want to walk near there. I like the turtle and ducks, they are probably comfortable in their neck of the woods/swamp. Have a great weekend and stay cool.
Nice to see your photographs, very pleased that they relocated the alligator.
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
The ducks and the turtles are probably glad to see the gator gone. I always love to see the Wood Ducks.
aww... big turtle and beautiful ducks...
excellent captures as always...
Beautiful captures!
I would not like to have a huge aligator near by. Florida must be a exciting place to live.
Take care!
GORGEOUS swamp images Diane!! Yes, yes, move those house-sized gators far from us humans and pets!!
Love the wood ducks today
Thanks so much for the terrific post this week and sharing
Boat looks like fun.
Glad the biggggg guy is gone from there.
Ahhh, this is what we have on our little pond. Duck weed. will look it up, but it is hard to eliminate we know.
Husband used to be able to clean it out, but with age, and lack of eye sight and being not so steady on his feet, he can not. Family tried but it needs real work.
Oh well, at least it is a plant. :-)
💛🌼💛🌼💛
Looks like a nice adventure you had.
I've seen alligators move on land and you are right they move faster than anybody I know can run.
I'm so sorry but my blog tagged your comments as spam. I've told it you are not spam!!
Hi Diane, My grandmother told me I’d learn something new every day. So thank you for my daily quota … Duckweed is new to me and you have the neat photo of the pretty duck enjoying it. Nice work! The turtle is amazing too. I love the name of the river … Withlacoochee. Wonderful! 😊 Thank you for sharing and a happy week ahead to you. John
Wow! Interesting trip and a interesting swamp! Some great pictures....
Love from Titti
Now that would be an interesting conversation starter..."So, what do you do for a living?"
"I move alligators from one place to another."
I bet they are always turned down for life insurance.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
The lake in the first pic is sure beautiful. The word alligator will make me stay clear away from that place. I am sure the turtle and ducks are feeling relieved when the big alligator has been relocated. I hope there is no other hidden alligators in that lake.
Laughing out loud here in front of my PC at six in the morning; thanks for the good start to the day!! Im not doing very well on walking in our strange hot weather here in Oregon, but it is going to get better this week. .. Sometimes here I must be daydreaming of our Florida home as I walk because I'll see a log that looks like an alligator and jump a little bit LOL -- not too many of those living creatures here. I'm glad your real one got relocated.
Todo se ve precioso. Por aquí no se puede pasear, demasiado calor, hoy 42 grados centígrados. Besos.
it is difficult to view the duckweed as beneficial to the wildlife, it does look a lot like scum!! lucky you too see the wood ducks and even luckier to not see the alligators!! that turtle is a real poser!!!
I love the beauty of swamps, but they are not safe places. It can´t be fun for the ducks to swim in that green stuff. :(
I hope the alligator didn't get that turtle. Yes, good news about the alligator being relocated to a different area. That's a cool picture of the turtle up close. The Wood Ducks are so cute. They seem very gentle.
Happy August Diane!
~Sheri
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