It takes us less than an hour to drive to the Gulf Coast so this is one of our favorite day trips!
And no we didn't travel by horse cart but hubby was kind enough to pull into this little convenience store for me to get a few photos! I can't imagine getting out in this on the main road!
Every trip to the Withlacoochee Bay Trail is an adventure!
I love the winter brown grasses all along the canal.
We have honestly never seen so many birds and such a variety but I'll skip around and show a few highlights.
This fisherman was checking his baskets and the pelicans followed closely to see if they might get an easy meal.
It was amazing to watch!
And something else that caught our eyes!
Dolphins!
We spotted several out in the bay and that's always a treat!
A cropped view!
Lots of beautiful scenes as we hiked to the end of the trail.
It was a brisk winter day and perfect for walking!
Do you have a special place to visit to see birds and wildlife?
48 comments:
The Gulf Bay is a beautiful place. I loved your pictures and I look forward to many more trips you might take there. Being an Alabama gal I've been to the Gulf so many times and love it there.
...what, no trip in your "glamping mobile?"
I'm pretty sure Gary and I have been on this same trail twice with our bikes, well over a year ago. But we didn't see any dolphins. What a treat for you!!!
What a great day for a day trip to the Gulf.
we are about 2.5 hours from there. My son lived in Crystal river for a couple of years, I was only there twice. but never saw or even new about this preserve. that was back in the early 90's. it is beautiful.. love the minature horse and cart
I almost feel guilty for living in Florida where we can enjoy exploring nature even in the winter.
Almost.
How wonderful to see dolphins so close up! Something we rarely see around here.
I used to drive a mini cart just like that with my miniature horses - they are still here on the farm with me but retired from "driving".
Loved going on this trip with ya'll!! Fun! Looks like those dolphins were maybe "mudding"---or getting ready to--such a treat to see!!! Love to watch them do that
It is so good to spot these dolphins in the bay!
Diane, Great photos. I love the pony cart. Must be a quiet area to use that to go to the store. All those pelicans, so many. Glad you are having an adventure. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
A wonderful place to visit and so close.
How nice to have such a fun day trip so close by!
We are both lucky that we live beautiful areas. Thank you for your photos. Aloha!
The buggy and horse are a delight! Glad y'all have an engine with wheels. Beautiful scenery, the birds are amazing.
What a beautiful pace to visit. I need to find more places around here to go to just to get me out of the house for something other than work.
Dear Diane,
dolphins and pelicans are always a great joy for me, too (when we stay at vacation spots where these animals exist).
Here in Lower Austria it is more the forest and meadow animals and water birds such as ducks that we can see, but we do not have a special or favored place for such observations. Sometimes we have better luck here, sometimes there.
I can't imagine the little horses in traffic either. (I always feel sorry for our big "Fiaker" carriage horses when they travel through the streets of Vienna with tourists.)
I'm now saying goodbye for a while and starting my recently announced blog break ππ.
Hugs, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/01/im-zoo-mit-dem-enkel-weitere-ausfluge.html
So nice to be back in Florida and enjoying nature! (Actually saw more of that here in this one blog post of yours than I have in the two weeks we’ve been home…takes a while to dig out and settle in). You got some wonderful pictures, especially of the dolphins…I’m lucky to get the top fin…I throw away a lot of “where the dolphin used to be” pictures.
What a wonderful place for your outing. So many great sightings.
I love Pelicans and dolphins, they are always a treat to see.
The horse and carriage seem out of place there.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Beautiful scenery!
We sometimes visit an Amish community and see a horse and buggy on the road, but I've never seen a small cart like this one. Amazing!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Looks like a great outing. Any day you see dolphins is a great day.
It doesn't take pelicans long to clue into the possibility of an easy meal. Hope they were rewarded for their persistence.
Spotting a dolphin is a real treat.
The Pelicans are fun yo watch too.
Happy weekend!
Beautiful with the trees and the dolpins. Have a nice weekend !
How nice to get out with your husband for these wonderful walks in nature. I hope you are enjoying the weekend.
I love seeing your dolphins. Such beautiful creatures. Thanks for sharing. https://momentsfrozentime.blogspot.com/
Thanks for always taking us along on your hikes and adventures!! I live vicariously through you! The weather is perfect for getting outside!!
That is like magic to see a dolphin. How wonderful!
love to watch fisherman doing his work....
beautiful photos of horse and dolphin
How nice to see the buggy and horse.
Great pictures of the dolphins.
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
Wonderful photos of a lovely place with sweet dolphins ~ how exciting ~ hugs, thanks,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
We had a pony for the kids that looked just like that one! Loved that little guy. Amazing to see the dolphins! Hopefully that fisherman had a few treats for the pelicans. So nice to have such a gorgeous place to hike! x K
A cute little buggy and beautiful photos of the fisherman and birds.
Gorgeous photos! The pelicans following the fisherman and the dolphin sighting are among my favorites.
What great photos from your day trip to the Gulf.
Very nice to see so many pelicans, we only see them here in a zoo.
The dolphins are also nice, they don't occur here either.
I wish you a beautiful Sunday.
Greetings Irma
Hello,
Great pictures. Amazing what you have seen all around.
Many greetings,
Marco
you know my favorite spot is lake of the lilies, i am not going to see any dolphins there!! i too like the browns and wispy grasses of winter. this sounds like a wonderful day trip, but i would prefer a 4 wheel drive vehicle too over a horse and cart!!
i hope you are enjoying your weekend!!
What a cute little horse and tiny buggy. You don't see that very often. I love going to the ocean to watch the birds.
What a pleasant trip! The horse cart, pelicans following the ship for meals, and dolphins are surely special treat to watch. The seascape in the last photo is so beautiful. Have a nice week.
Yoko
Tell us more about the horse/cart? We have Amish in our area, but they ride in a buggy.
Love the dolphin photos.... a treat to see for this Wisconsin girl.
Carla
I long for the day that I get back to open water. It certainly looks like you found some fabulous critters here! And I love that little buggy!
Enjoyed every one of your beautiful photos.
Thanks for dropping by my blog
Much♡love
nature looks so wonderful....
thank you for sharing photos.
Yes, it`s abeautiful place, dear Diane. I agree with each comment before. Seeing Dolphins is such a lovely event. Isn`t!?
And I am pleased about your contribution to
MosaicMonday
Greetings from Heidrun
Wonderful pics of a place I´ve never been before. To be honest, I never was in the States. But it is still in my to-do list.
Have a good time and all the best
Violetta
Siempre me gustan tus paseos, me alegra que lo pasaras bien. Un abrazo.
The little store is adorable, but seeing dolphins is always the highlight for me. I live near the Intracoastal and people see dolphins and manatees. I've only seen dolphins twice in 8 years. Love all your photos and I'm surprised how close the dolphins are to the shore line. Have a great week.
Fantastic photos! I have never seen a dolphin in the wild. Thank you for sharing your joy with all of us. Be well!
The horse is an adorable bonus as the aera looks really interesting to check out too!
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