We made it to Georgia and back, traveling 500 miles to 4 State Parks!
I'll start close to the beginning of the trip with our stay at General Coffee State Park, website HERE.
It was quiet and peaceful and altogether delightful!
But let's get out on the trails and see what we can find.
On the second day (and second hike) I got off the trail and walked out to Seventeen mile River.
I stopped 'dead in my tracks' when I spotted a heron in a little ponded up area.
You can see him in the water in the center of the photo!
I zoomed in!
It was a Yellow-crowned night heron and the first one I had ever seen!
We see a lot of different herons here in Florida but this was a 'lifer' for me!
I wasn't sure at first.
But after some research, I positively IDed it!
I also was fortunate to meet a photographer that lives in Georgia and he said he had seen them there before. A few days later, he told me he had seen the one I saw too. That was special! I appreciated his knowledge and enthusiasm and hope to see him again.
The other neat sighting was the Yellow Flytrap pitcher plant. Info HERE.
We saw several plants but it was hard getting photos through the other tall plants.
This pitcher plant is listed as a conservation priority and is rare to see in the wild.
The blue irises were in bloom and they love the wet areas.
It was a beautiful campground and we loved almost everything about it. The only drawback, and that can be anywhere near the water, was the newly hatched gnats! They don't bite but they drive you crazy. They try to get in your eyes and ears and mouth if you dare to open it. But at least they don't bite! (oh I said that, I was close to crazy before, I may have crossed over! hahaha)
I have lots of photos to share! I hiked 13 hikes in 2 weeks so I took a 'few'!
It's HOT back in Florida! How's the weather where you live?
And have you ever seen a Yellow-crowned night heron?
