In search of the Reed Bingham Lake monster!

 

When we travel to a new state park we both do some research (hubby even more than me). I don't need to know every thing about a new place. It's nice to have an open mind and discover some things when we get there.

I did happen to see a headline in a article about a lake monster so I was hoping I got to see it.

One day we drove across the lake to walk around the beach area and another pond of water that flows into the lake. And we got lots of surprises.

The dam was spectacular with the Cypress Trees in there end of the year, rusty orange color.

And don't you love this Great Blue Heron right on the dam.

At the swimming beach there were some beautiful Killdeer.

I thought they were another type of water bird but I believe they are Killdeer.

We parked here and started walking around.

And now starts the photos of the Reed Bingham Lake monster! 

So skip right along to the end if you don't like these photos!

Because this was definitely a monster alligator!

One of the biggest I've ever seen.

I walked down to this pretty spot but realized I was lined up with the gator across the way.

I have a lot of respect for alligators and when I first zoomed in, his eyes were closed.

And then they were open a little more.....

and a little more!

So then I decided to back up and leave! 

One more quick photo and I'm back in the van!

Another 'monster' story for my camping journal!

Reed Bingham State Park is in Adel, Georgia and the website is HERE! One of our camping trips when we went across the border of Florida into Georgia to explore!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Reed Bingham State Park, Georgia - traveling in style!

 

We visited several State Parks in the month of December. 

And as much as we love camping in Florida, it's fun to 'spread our wings' a little and visit some of the state parks in neighboring states.

And it's much easier to travel now in this Coachmen Nova 20d Van camper. 

Our dealer, Sunshine State RVs in Gainesville, FL was the best ever! The link to Sunshine is HERE. And I'll put a link HERE if you want to look at the specs and floor plan. 

In these photos, the side door is open (screen closed) and the back is fully open with a screen pulled down.

We had the prettiest tree in the park at our campsite!

And this is the view of the lake from the window (and door)  facing the lake.

We loved our little travel trailer and Chevy truck but we thought this van would be easier for us to manage. Thanks so much to those who talked to us about the vans and answered our questions, especially my blog friend HERE! 

We spent a week at Reed Bingham State Park in Adel, Georgia last month and had a wonderful experience. A link to the website is HERE.

I keep a camping journal and I had so much good to write about this campground and not a single negative.

Even in December the trees had a lot of 'Fall' color! 

The Cypress trees were spectacular!

Snowy Egret

And I don't think I've ever seen such a variety of birds in a lake. 

Great White Egret

I went different times of the day so I got to see quite a lot!

It sure has been a wonderful experience to travel to so many state parks.

Great Blue Heron

Canada Goose

Mosaic of a few more! (not sure what the bird in the center is)

I may need at least one more post featuring Reed Bingham State Park. 

(We did go in search of the monster of the lake and found it...stay tuned!)

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

"Manatee Springs State Park" Gorgeous!

 

I tried to think of a better word than 'gorgeous' but you'll have to help me there. 

If after you look at the photos, you can think of a more descriptive word, I'll use it in my next post.

I'll include a link HERE if you want to read more about this park. This is a first-magnitude spring that releases an astounding 100 million gallons of water daily!

We spent a week camping here and had such fun. 

There are a lot of hiking trails and the Springs were only about 1/2 mile away from our campsite so we went every day. 

It was nice going at different times of the day to see wildlife and birds. We did not see Manatees on this trip but we weren't disappointed in our sightings each day.

Deer walked through our campsite. A raccoon climbed the tree next to the picnic table and we got back one evening to see a pretty white cat waiting for us.

And the Springs are just gorgeous!

Ibis in the water

The first evening we walked down there we saw a Barred Owl fly into a tree nearby.

You all know that's one of my favorite sightings.

And then we saw him 3 nights in a row in the same area. 

I have about a hundred photos. 

Want to see them all?

OK....OK! 

How about this Little Blue Heron!

And here's a mosaic of the owl preening!

I'll share more photos of some of the hikes we took in days to come. Hope you'll come back to hike with me!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

The Colors of Autumn

 We have 'Fall colors' here in Florida but they may not be typical of our neighbors to the North.

Fall brings colorful flowers that rival the Spring wildflowers.

We even found one that was new to us this week walking on the Florida Trails from parking on hwy 484. I actually got off the trail to take the photos and got into some thorns. So I drew blood to take this photo! lol

But it's a beautiful time of year. Our temps are milder and the humidity is a lot lower.

We are hiking just about every other day! I wish I had the energy to go every day!

Purple is throughout the forest right now....

with splashes of yellow! 

Coralbean

Red berries

Virginia Creeper

Cypress trees

Maple leaves

I hope you've enjoyed our Autumn colors.

I'm not sure my Mosaic Monday buddies got to see my fairy forest post HERE! 

It was magical!

Have a beautiful week!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !