O'Leno State Park and the River Sink trail

 

 You always make interesting discoveries when you get out in nature.

But of course some are more surprising than others.

We camped at O'Leno State Park here in Florida and hiked the River Sink trail. 

 

What amazes you is when the Santa Fe River appears to end at about the 1/2  mile mark.

 

The Santa Fe River begins it's journey at lakes Santa Fe and Alto Northeast of Gainesville. 

 

The river flows West 44 miles.

And then it disappears.

Yes...you read that right.

It disappears for a little over 3 miles before coming back up at River Rise Preserve State Park

 

You can even see some swirling right in the center like a sink draining out.

 

The Santa Fe River is unique with the water flowing underground in an intricate cave system.

 

And according to the State Park website, "The best part?

It is all protected for future generations so that 

they too can appreciate this natural wonder."

 

More info on the website HERE.

Kingfisher

 

What a privilege to travel to this park and witness it ourselves.

If that wasn't enough? We were there during the Christmas holidays and I saw a Christmas Leprechaun.

 

  

He was out on a limb hanging over the Santa Fe River.

  

I couldn't believe my eyes.

  

But he became very real when I met him on the trail.

I gave him my Lavender Dreams card and he emailed me so that I could send him some photos.

And was this a monster under the branch?

  

 

Use your imagination! (It's really just a log or branch underwater.)

And yes, I did see more than one real alligator!   

 

What do you think?

 

Is it more surprising to see a river disappear underground or to see a leprechaun wave at you from the river?

 

 

 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! 

"Happy New Year"

 

 I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE.

 

Florida Flannel and Fleece

 

We had cold air come down and stay for a few days but we're back into the 70s now! We took a drive on Christmas day and a hike on the day after Christmas when it was in the 50s! We put on our long sleeve flannel shirts and fleece vests and braved the elements to hike at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. lol But we didn't get photos of the best sightings. We saw a coyote. The same one we saw a month or so ago. It's bigger than usual and darker so it's easy to remember. We also saw deer...but no photos.

Northern Cardinal at HTP

So let's take a drive to the Gulf Coast when it's in the 60s and nicer to get out and walk.

This is a view of the Gulf of Mexico from the end of the Withlacoochee Bay Trail at low tide.

It was the lowest tide we had ever seen and the exposed mud was popping and snapping and making all kinds of crackly noises. I laughed out loud! 

And here are some of the birds we saw there.

He's blending in!

Dipping for something to eat!

Willet

Great Blue Heron

Great White Egret

Belted Kingfisher

Another Kingfisher with belt showing

Birds all along the exposed sandbars!

Oystercatcher

Cormorant

I hope you've had a lovely holiday and I'm wishing you a Happy New Year!

Enjoy each and every day! 

And get out in nature whenever you have a chance!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

The Storks have landed!

 

Hopefully they didn't make any 'deliveries' in our retirement community!

But they sure were a surprise when we got to the bridge over the Withlacoochee River at Blue Run Park.

We'll zoom in!

Wood Storks

We had seen them earlier in the week, high in the sky.

And how nice that these perched on a colorful Maple tree.

We don't have many Fall colors at this time of year so this was a surprise.

It won't freeze here for another month or more. And then we usually just have a few frosty nights.

But we do see some pretty colors at the end of summer.

Only a face that a mother would love?

I love them too!

They stayed in the same spot changing their pose now and then. How nice of them!

Another bird flew in for just ONE photo! 

Belted Kingfisher

And if you think it's too crowded to visit Florida at this time of year when the weather is fabulous....

look at the parking lot at 3 pm when we were getting ready to leave. It surprised us too! Another part of the parking lot had cars though. 

Have you ever seen a Wood Stork?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.