We drove out to the Gulf a few days ago and walked the boardwalk at the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve.
This is only the second time we've gone to this particular trail. The first time we went, it was hot and the bugs were terrible. (they weren't biting, just buzzing all over)
It was in the 70s on this beautiful day and we only saw one other person. And this is very good!
Gray Catbird in the tree along the trail
What a beauty!
Another view...you don't often see the rufous underside!
Because as much as I would love to declare this my favorite new trail, the narrow one lane road out to the trailhead is not ideal. If you were to meet someone, you would have to back up or find a wide spot in the road to pass another car. The road is winding so you can't look ahead either. But I'm sure we'll be back again. That's the good thing about having a 4WD Jeep!
And oh the things you will see!
We considered these birds our best siting.
Greater Yellowlegs
We watched them in the pond until they moved to another spot.
And we followed the boardwalk and watched them again.
We had hiked another trail in the morning so this was right after lunch.
Not the best time for birders but the perfect time to capture sparkles in the water!
Sparkles!
I could have stayed there all day soaking up the sun in this remote spot!
But it was time to drive home on the back roads of Florida.
The last time we drove to the Gulf, the Pink Elephant was missing!
Now we know why!
Don't you love a little mystery? And a drive off road? And a day spent at the Gulf Coast of Mexico?
Get out in nature no matter where you live. You'll be glad you did!
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40 comments:
What beautiful photos! Looks like you get a lot of joy from your hikes. Birds are the best to watch. LOL on the pink elephant!
...you make shadowy pair! Pink elephants, a new bred? Take care and enjoy your weekend.
Lovely place. The elephants are funny! It is nice to see things that make smiles.
Rain and snow here in Vermont today. Your beautiful photos bring sunshine thoughts. Thank you
It's so nice that you have such nice weather for your hikes. I enjoyed looking at the birds and nature. I hope you have a nice weekend.
Como siempre me encantó tu paseo, vistes pájaros preciosos. Besos para tu marido y para ti.
I love these photos of the birds and sparkling waters. The pink elephant is adorable!
That looks like a gem of a spot to visit. Thanks for letting me tag along.
Pink elephant? Who was on maternity leave? The elephant? What kind of business is that? Must look at the photo again.
Thanks for your compliment on my header.
love the baby elephant and you are right, the yellow legs are gorgeous birds. sounds like a perfect day in the woods.
Never heard before of a Gray Catbird, dear Diane. He is lovely. And ... of course, you made a perfect shot of him. Interesting for me to read about this landscape.
Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs by Heidrun
Great photos!
I especially like the Yellowlegs with the water sparkles!
What a wonderful walk-in gulf park. The birds are beautiful too
You certainly had some wonderful sightings, I did enjoy your photographs, including the beautiful sparkles in the water!
Wishing you a happy weekend.
All the best Jan
What a fun hike! Lovely birds and a very fun momma pink elephant!! xo
Such a beautiful place to walk...and oh, the sights you did see! Love the birds and the water and the sparkles...and then the pink elephant and baby! How cute is that? I love it! Thanks for sharing with us. It'll be a bit chilly this weekend for hiking!
A lovely walk in the park, great pictures, and like the shadow picture!! :)
Looks like a beautiful place. I'm curious about the pink elephant.
yes, I will love to visit this place...
Thank you for sharing beautiful photos.
This looks like a beautiful place to visit.
You were able to take beautiful pictures, nice that pink elephant.
I wish you a good weekend.
Greetings Irma
Not hard to see why you'll be back.
Hello,
I love the look of the boardwalk trail and all the plants.
I miss seeing the Gray Catbird, I am looking forward to the spring migration. The Yellowlegs are pretty birds, great captures. The pink elephant is cute. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.
You certainly had a colorful day!
Blue sky, Gray Catbird, Yellowlegs, Pink Elephants - and let's not forget about a Red Jeep!
Outstanding outing!
And how thoughtful to share it all with the rest of us. Thank you!
Oh for the sunshine and the yellowlegs feeding in the sun-spotted water. What a lovely walk Diane. When you call by to pick me up remember to bring an umbrella and wellington boots. And leave the sun cream at home.
You find the most beautiful places to search for wildlife!
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Beautiful and delightful post and photos ~ love the 'maternity leave' ~ Lol ~ what a great time for you ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
S Shutterbug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I love visiting parks all over Florida... The photo of I assume you guys with the shadow is intriguing. Lots of wonderful shots on a wonderful day out!
While the bird photos are really good, as always, I really like that you were able to capture the sparkles in the water so well!
We don't get out to hike as you do (one of us has two hip replacements), we do love to ride our bikes around the neighborhood (which is growing larger all the time). Loading our bikes on the car bike rack is not easy, so that's why we bike at home more than on the trails.
Anyway, all that to say you are right to encourage us to get outside because we are always glad when we do!
What a wonderful stroll with some lovely sightings. Thanks for sharing and have a fantastic weekend.
Haha I'm giggling about the elephant...that's hilarious! Have a lovely weekend exploring your beautiful state!
xo,
RJ
What a blooming images you caught, I love them.
That is a wonderful trail that you found. Thanks for showing us the warmth on what is a very cold day here. ;-)
This is absolutely a gorgeous place to be. The sparkle of the water was a great catch on your camera. The wild life is so beautiful. Ohhhhh I am so jealous of your sweet weather. Here in Illinois it is cold and not much sunshine these days. Hugs, Kris
Such lovely pics and narration. Glad you got to see the rufous underside 😝
Ohhhh, the sparkling water!! Beautiful. And the fact you had no bugs, mild temps, and few people...a perfect day. I did not know the catbird had a rusty bottom!!
Enjoy the week ahead as best as possible and thanks for joining us at IRBB.
It sounds like a wonderful walk! Stay warm!
i am happy to see my catbirds are with you, don't they have the sweetest undercarriage!!
i see those yellowlegs here, your pictures are amazing but i always think, how in the world do they hold themselves up on those toothpick legs??
love the pink elephants...we have an attraction here in new jersey, lucy the elephant. i think she is the oldest in the U.S. she just reopened after being refurbished!! we need to go again!!
Hi Diane, When it’s cold and dark here in Seattle it’s especially fun to take a look at Lavender Dreams. 😊 All of a sudden I’m back (mentally) in the nice warm months of the year. Love that photo of you and the Captain stepping onto the boardwalk. Neat bird photos! Thanks for your very kind comment on my 12th anniversary post. Have a great week ahead! John
What a super-fun post this was... I marked this trail -- if we ever finish our home renovation it would be one I'd love to travel to on one of our explore Florida jaunts. Loved the birds and that other creature and her baby (so funny). Interesting about that narrow road -- we're used to winding narrow mountain roads because we're from "the West" and there are many. The difference though is that here in Florida people don't seem to understand how to drive country roads. (There are unwritten rules back home about who backs up on a curve, who stops etc etc and we've had fewer white knuckle experiences out west where the roads are worse than we've had here.)
You had some terrific spottings but my favorite is the pink elephants!
The photos with the sparkling water are so pretty. Those pink elephants are delightful. What a sweet way to announce a baby's birth. I like that little Greater Yellowlegs. He's so cute with his looooong legs. That shadow photo is very cool too.
Have a splendid rest of the week, Diane.
~Sheri
Hi Diane, What a beautiful trail for you! Well worth the narrow road to get there!! Love the long legged birds! I thank you for letting me tag along! Love, Aunt Helen
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