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?
35 comments:
...how nice of the heron to strike poses for you! Stay cool and well.
Complimenti per il tuo bellissimo blog-Le foto sono fantastiche,saluti da Olga.
It sounds like you had a fun time hiking in Georgia. I enjoyed looking at the photos of your hike. Have a nice weekend!
I've never seen a heron like that! He's absolutely fantastic. What a wonderful discovery and your photos are magnificent!
Your photos are superb! What a lovely adventure visiting the parks in Georgia.
The Yellow - crowned night heron is beautiful. I love the feather coming down from its head, a wedding veil. :-)
A beautiful bird.
Summer is here in Wisconsin, it is green, warm and making me smile.
:-)
Congratulations! What a thrilling bird to see.
Lovely photos. It is good y'all had a nice time despite the gnats. Their tenacity is gruesome.
May
first ever viewing of the heron. wow! never heard of general coffee or the park. and I am a Georgia Cracker Girl.. I can tell you that the last 2 years I have come to literally HATE living in Florida. I love FL and have loved my 40 years here, but the heat of summer would send me moving if I could... since I am living my life inside now, it should not matter, but it does when I have to go out in the yard with Beau or walk across the Publix parking lot also called Sahara. not sure it is the OLD me or the heat is worse. glad you had a great time
You took some lovely pictures on your trip. That Heron fellow is a handsome one. Have a great summer, Diane, and I hope you have some joyful moments in your home working on some fun projects as well.
~Sheri
What a memorable adventure, spotting the heron sounds magical, and despite the gnat invasion, it’s clear the beauty and peacefulness of the place made it all worthwhile
Wow I'm impressed. That is an amazing photo of the heron!!!
Such a good adventure.
Lovely photographs of the heron.
All the best Jan
That heron is beautiful! Good find, for sure!! Thanks for catching us up with you! Looking forward to seeing your next installation!! xo
having so many pictures to share, well, that's a good thing!! finding a lifer is such a thrill, i have never seen a yellow crowned night heron before, it is a beautiful bird, all herons are and your images are superb. most iris in this area are passed their prime, but they put on a beautiful show!! happy to see you today!!
You are amazing and I am so happy you share your hikes with us. I see things here on your blog I would never see otherwise. Thank you!
You have taken a beautiful series of photos during your walks.
The yellow-crowned heron is beautiful, a species that does not occur here.
I wish you a nice weekend.
Greetings Irma
Beautiful photos. Love the ones of the Heron. I wouldn't know one heron from another.
We’ve seen the yellow-crowned night heron on our birding travels. A great bird. And it’s always good to see a new species.
Hello Diane,
Beautiful captures of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Congrats on your sighting. I like the pitcher plants, they are pretty. Your hike sounds wonderful, except for those annoying bugs. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. .
You have taken beautiful pictures of the Heron. It's a impressiv bird! The blue iris is very pretty too!
That heron is gorgeous. I have never seen one.
We are having a couple of cool days here.
Wow! What an adventure and that blue heron is magnificent!
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores ~ clm
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Yellow- crowned Night Heron is a handsome bird. I am surprised that you had not seen it before. It is not uncommon in Florida. The first sighting is always special.
Wonderful! There is a park that I have seen many Jack in the
Pulpit plants. That Yellow-crowned Night Heron is a beautiful bird. I saw them in a similar area in Virginia Beach a few years ago but nothing since as I haven’t done a lot of traveling lately. It’s on our list though. Great photos, fun to see. This sounds like a wonderful camp ground.
I love your yellow crowned night heron. They are beautiful. Strangely enough we have them here in Tulsa, OK. I see them a lot in a creek right in the middle of one of the busiest parks in town. People leave them alone and the birds just go about their business.
Wow! I never saw the yellow! Sweet post. Aloha
Beautiful captures of the night heron!
What an unusual, beautiful bird. The colorings are gorgeous.
Beautiful shots and ohhh, you make me want to travel again!
Love how the wild irises add splashes of their color amid the grasses.
Such wonderful photos and that heron is gorgeous!
That heron is a sight to behold!
What a rare and awesome find!
And the way you captured it is just stunning.
Such a special moment!
the Yellow-crowned night heron is very rare bird in our area..... beautiful
Thats a lovely bird to see. We are taking a road trip to Quebec very soon but not camping as you do.
Esa garza es preciosa, has hecho unas fotografías muy bonitas. Estoy deseando ver más de tus paseos. Besos.
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