"Attention to Details"

 

I like to think I'm observant but I am still surprised when I work on my photos how many 'hidden details' I've missed!

Hey, Mr. Flycatcher! 

Spit out that grasshopper and eat some of these pesky gnats and mosquitoes!

And it's going to take this Osprey a long time to build a nest at this rate!

But look how interesting those wispy feathers are along the legs of this Great Blue Heron.

And this seemed like an unusual place for a mushroom to grow.

I guess it likes more light and air!

I'm going to get a little creepy now.

I took this photo thinking I was looking at a pretty plant but when I bent down to look more closely, this Green Anole jumped. I jumped too. I don't know who jumped higher! Isn't he perfectly hidden?

This poor alligator!

He has no body!

And I wasn't even sure this was an alligator until I looked at my pics!

He's trying to look like a 'knot on a log'! 

How do you like this pretty little pond at Reed Bingham State Park?

Read the small sign at the bottom! 

These ponds are for the kids....oh and the alligators!!!

Halloween Pennant

And now to dedicate this next part of my post to my dear friend, John from John's Island HERE. 

He has written me another poem dedicated to my last post and I want to share it today.

"Beneath the pines where hoofbeats roam,

Heritage Farm feels just like home.

Log cabins stand with rustic grace,

As goats and sheep patrol the place.

The Martins dart through gnats with gless,

While trails invite both you and me.

The river calls, the forest hums

Where quite peace and beauty comes.

So here's to the cabins, hooves and leaves

To Autumn dreams and golden eves!''

This is one of the true blessings of having a blog...making blog friends along the way. I know we all feel like sharing our photos with other like minded bloggers enhances our lives. John has really surprised me with these gifts of poetry. Thank you John for your thoughtfulness.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Hiking the Sink Trail Loop at Manatee Springs State Park

 

I'll start with a photo from the Springs because that's where I ended up!

Pied billed Grebe (the best Grebe pic I've ever taken)

You all know I love to hike in the forest.

And they did a great job of opening up the trail after the terrible devastation of the hurricanes last Fall.

But I was not enjoying myself so I turned around. It was hard to do but I looked around at all the damage and knew I needed to walk away.

Little Blue Heron (juvenile)

And some of my bird photos turned out so good from my walk on the boardwalk.

Little Blue Heron

I even saw some 'interesting' alligators!

Two of them, having a little chat.

I think they were getting to know each other in hopes of being friendly. 

And one swimming along the river. And don't worry, I zoomed in on them. I was not close!

I also saw a beautiful Anhinga.

One more.

And a Great Blue Heron flew by.

I don't usually get good 'in flight' photos but I was pleased with these.

He was more charcoal gray than white! The sun made him look white.

I even got some decent photos of this Grass Carp.

Thanks to my son, D for help with the ID!

It was a beautiful day at a beautiful place.

But there's nothing wrong with changing your mind when you are not feeling comfortable in your surroundings. For one thing, there was some wind and I didn't want limbs to fall on my head.

I'd rather take my chances with the gators across the way!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Nature Friday HERE!

Let's go back to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon!

 

When we want to see a lot of birds and wildlife, we head to Blue Run Park.

White Ibis

It's also a place to 'visit' with a few regulars. A lot of people go there every day to walk or ride bikes so it's fun to see some familiar faces.

We love seeing the boats on the Rainbow River too.

The bridge is near where the Rainbow River and Withlacoochee Rivers come together.

 
The Withlacoochee was sparkling on this particular day.

And below the bridge we spotted two alligators.

Two Red Shouldered Hawks were perched in a tree nearby. 

I have one pictured below but he really blends into the trees!

There were so many small birds but I think most of these are Yellow Rumped Warblers.

One more with the yellow rump visible.

And this is easily identified!

Wood Duck

He flew past us and landed in a pool of water close by!

And then he flew out again!

Lots of neat turtles on the logs.

And a Moorhen hiding in the tall grasses.

I love my forest hikes but you can see a lot more birds and wildlife at Blue Run Park!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

'Shades of Blue' at Blue Run Park

 Blue Run Park is always a great destination to see lots of birds and beautiful sights.

Wild Blue Iris (Blue Flag)

This Blue Iris grows along the river and swamp and can be seen from the trail. 

We enjoyed a beautiful walk along the Rainbow River and stopped at our favorite spots.

Wildflowers

It has greened up so much lately and the vegetation is so lush that we almost missed this little guy!

But when he raised his head, we recognized it as a Little Blue Heron.

And it was such a brilliant blue that I'm sure it was sporting breeding colors.

The water was a deep blue when we reached the Withlacoochee River too and hubby took a photo of this narrow motor boat. I love taking photos of the boats we see there but don't always include them in a post.

And when we looked down from the bridge we spotted three Alligators. There was one in the swamp along the way too. 

Lots of people go to Blue Run Park in hopes of seeing an alligator. It's really the only place we hike that we can spot a 'gator!

Spiderwort 

Are you starting to see signs of Spring where you live? Our temps are feeling more like summer this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’ 

 and Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

  

I'm including the link to Ocala's Good Life magazine again! I don't want you to miss it. 

     

Enjoy our article in Ocala's Good Life magazine HERE.