Friday, January 12, 2024

Blue Run Park of Dunnellon Delights

 
We can always count on delights when we hike the Florida Trails at Blue Run Park.


Are you lookin' at ME?


This Green Heron had just been to the hair salon and was proud of his new 'do'!


We think this is a Juvenile Green Heron and probably a teenager! 


He is sporting a new hair style...it's even a bright shade of blue!

He was quite vocal because a Hawk had chased him over to that tree!


We saw lots of neat sights on the trail.


We ended up seeing the Red-shouldered Hawk as we were nearing the parking area.


It is right in the center of the photo below.


We loved getting so close to it and took pics until someone else walked up and then he was scared away.


For anyone local, be aware that the trail is posted right now with signs saying they are getting ready to repave the trail this month. So any walks along the river will have to wait until February.


Have you had a good week? What's your weather like?


I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE ! 

40 comments:

Tom said...

...Diane, you captured so much beauty, thanks for sharing it. Be well.

Barbara said...

Thanks for the tip on the repaving of the hiking trail. We will probably have out-of-town guests later this month and hope to take them out for a walk. We may go to Rainbow River State Park.

As for my weather, you know the answer to that! (smile)

Inger said...

Here in the Southern California mountains it's 20 degrees and this old Swede is loving it.

MadSnapper said...

handsome hawke and the most handsome of all little green herons i have seen. love his hair dooo. i often wonder how they got the green in their name, they are not green. this one is beautiful

Ed Rosack said...

That heron really was showing off for you - great photos!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Great photos! What a bird! His facial expression is outstanding for a grumpy teen green heron, delightful to see.
Weather here has been cold to warmer, snow to rain. Cold mostly though.
A kayak in waters where there are alligators and snakes boggles the mind.

Carla from The River said...

I have began to love Green Heron, we see them a lot when we kayak. Have you ever heard one at night? They have a unique chilling call at dusk.
Happy January Days,
Carla

Cloudia said...

Very cool photos and narrative! Aloha!

roentare said...

The green heron has unique plumage unlike the common ones I see in Australia

BeachGypsy said...

I stared and stared at that young heron and couldn't figure out what kind of bird that was!! Ha ha LOL. He sure is colorful. Love that close up hawk picture!! Also love how it's feathers layer and have pretty patterns. Rainy here and in the 50s, not bad for January. Hugs!!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh my! You got some great photos of the Green Heron and the Hawk! Amazing! I've only seen a Green Heron once here at our pond. If they've been there again I missed them. They are so interesting and different than the Great Blue Heron that we usually see. I love the Red Shouldered Hawks too. They are regular visitors here, although I haven't seen any lately. So happy you are able to get out and enjoy the woods and trails. Thank you for sharing it all with us!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Love Green Heron's fancy do!!

Terri D said...

January must be the month for hiking/horseback trails to be repaved/repaired. We are getting ready to close a couple of ours for some work that needs to be done. I always love your photos and thank you for taking us along on your adventures!! Happy weekend!

Ann said...

That green heron is spectacular. I love his funky hair do.

Caroline said...

Beautiful birds in florida. Happy weekend !

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I love your series on the Green Heron, he looks like he is showing off.
Great captures of the Red-shouldered Hawk, they are beautiful.
Pretty views of the water and lush greenery. It is nice they are maintaining the trail. Great post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a wonderful weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Rostrose said...

Oh yes, dear Diane, this Green Heron was definitely a teenager with his punk hairstyle 😂 This is the first time I can really see why he is called GREEN. The specimens we saw in Costa Rica were all rather brown and without crests.
It's sensational how great close-up photos you were able to take of the Red-shouldered Hawk!
Warm rust rose greetings and all the best, Traude 😊
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/01/servus-ihr-lieben-ich-danke-euch-fur.html

Lea said...

Great photos! My favorites are the Green Heron photos!
Snow is in the forecast for us here in north Mississippi.

Jeanie said...

Oh Diane, those photos of the green heron are just magnificent. They eyes! The detail. These are all real gems!

Wally Jones said...

Any walk where we see hawks and herons is a good walk.

Our outings, as you pointed out recently, are as sporadic as the weather. At least we don't need snowshoes - yet.

Enjoy the new week, but take a jacket.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I've only had glimpses of a green heron here. I would love to be able to see one live long enough to get a good look at it and maybe take a photograph of it.

Iris Flavia said...

The Green Heron looks like a funny punk!! :-)
I´ve never seen such a funny bird!!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane :=)
A beautiful post.Your captures of the Green Heron and Red-shouldered Hawk are stupendous. Your close portrait of the Heron and even the one centre stage but at a distance are fab. The Green Heron does have a punk style hair do and is very attractive.I wish I could see these two birds in person.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend,....I did remember your grand.daughter is called Eva.:=)
All the best
Sonjia.

carol l mckenna said...

Oh such wonderful avian photos ~ Wow! ~ hugs,



Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

RedPat said...

Your shots of the Green Heron are such fun. I love seeing the red on the shoulders of the hawk. Have a good week. It is to get really cold here next week.

Phil Slade said...

Hello Diane. Happy New Year to you. Those are super pics of the Green Heron. We don't have the species here but I wish we did.

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely photographs and mosaic.
Great series of the Green Heron.

Enjoy your weekend and have a good new week.

All the best Jan

Shiju Sugunan said...

Love your pics - especially that sassy teenager Red-shouldered beauty's cameo perfect ending.

Irma said...

Beautiful series of photos in this blog.
The Green Heron and the Red-shouldered Hawk are very beautiful.
The Green Heron has punk hair, I really like it.
Greetings Irma

italiafinlandia said...

The teenager Heron is so cute. 😃
Happy weekend to you!

21 Wits said...

Yes, sweet bird in the first photo I was looking at you and you are quite sweet! All of your photos are incredible, and you have made me feel like I had quite the fun adventure out in your lovely nature! Take care!

Tine de Jong said...

What a beautiful heron with the beautiful plumage, but I also really liked the other photos. At the moment it is a cold wet day here in the Netherlands. The snow has fallen last night and it is slippery to walk on the street. Wish you lovely day for each day.

Teresa said...

Has hecho unas fotografías preciosas, me encantan. Por aquí está lloviendo y hay bastante niebla, no me gusta la niebla. Un abrazo y feliz semana.

Rainbow Evening said...

The Green Heron looks so unique.... love it

Debbie said...

your pictures today are brilliant, you took in some great sights!! i can feel how much you enjoy these walks and it really makes me smile!!

the green heron is a beauty!!

our weather is cold, cold, cold...and we got just a little bit of snow last night!!

EricaSta said...

Thank you for the nice comment. And of course I'm happy to return the favor. The pictures are very informative and exciting. Sorry to couldn`t read. I enjoyed your report again.

Thank you for this wonderful post about
MosaicMonday

Warm hugs from Heidrun, I wish you and your family a healthy, happy new year 2024

Aunt Helen said...

It was a great hike seeing all those beautiful birds! The close ups are so nice to see. I do not know if I have ever seen them--if so, I wouldn't have known the name of them anyway!!! How do you like these cold temperatures?? It is even cold here in my den!!! Thank you for all your beautiful posts. with Love, Aunt Helen

Veronica Lee said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring the park.
Wow! Your photographs of the Green Heron and the Hawk are fantastic!
Spectacular views of the water and lush greenery.

Hugs and blessings, Diane

Annie said...

I really like that heron!! So cute. Did you know he was a teenager by the music he was playing?

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Wow! two amazing birds. I do love that hair doo. and thanks for identifying them. I've seen both and never really knew what kind of birds they were.