Two trips to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon!

 There are so many great places to hike here in North Central Florida and I catch myself, saying 'OH...this is my favorite trail'. Is it OK to have more than one favorite?

A couple of weeks ago John and I spent some time at Blue Run Park. 

We'll go back soon for a longer hike but I just have to share the highlight of our stop at Blue Run Park.

Athena the Mermaid

Is there anything more delightful than meeting a real life mermaid?

She was delightful and the sweetest young lady you'll ever meet. 

And of all the 'sightings' I've had at Blue Run Park, this may be one of the most memorable!

A couple of months ago when my son, D. was here we spent a couple of hours at Blue Run Park and I got a lot more bird photos.

White Ibis

Limpkin

Moorhen

And my favorite, a Little Blue Heron!

This hike had a memorable moment too. My son shimmied up a tree and shook down some oranges.

I wasn't sure if an orange growing in the wild would be sweet but it was the sweetest orange I've ever tasted.

If you live in this part of Florida or want to visit, be sure to spend a day at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon. 

Check out the link HERE ! You'll love it! 

You just never know what you'll see!

Love, Diane  💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Blue Run Park and the sights on a Spring day!

 I don't know where to start!

Well, I know where to START....

 

Green Heron

I just don't know where to end!

I hate to leave out the several species of Warblers or the Herons, turtles and alligators, flowers and butterflies but I'll have to save some of those photos for another day.

He put his best foot forward! 

Did I mention that the weather is perfect here in Florida right now?

Oh, I did? lol

Cormorant

If I had more time and energy, I would be out on the trails every day.

Oh, I've said that already too!

I do believe this is the most beautiful Great White Egret I've ever seen.

Even the photos taken through the leaves that aren't perfectly sharp look beautiful and dreamy.

It was a perfect day for a special outing and we enjoyed visiting with others that were there enjoying a day at the park!

We had expected some major paving on the trail but they had just patched some areas so that was nice! 

Pied Billed Grebe with the catch of the day.

We'll go again soon!

Oh wait....a cute little baby gator! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Blue Run Park of Dunnellon Delights

 

We can always count on delights when we hike the Florida Trails at Blue Run Park.

Are you lookin' at ME?

This Green Heron had just been to the hair salon and was proud of his new 'do'!

We think this is a Juvenile Green Heron and probably a teenager! 

He is sporting a new hair style...it's even a bright shade of blue!

He was quite vocal because a Hawk had chased him over to that tree!

We saw lots of neat sights on the trail.

We ended up seeing the Red-shouldered Hawk as we were nearing the parking area.

It is right in the center of the photo below.

We loved getting so close to it and took pics until someone else walked up and then he was scared away.

For anyone local, be aware that the trail is posted right now with signs saying they are getting ready to repave the trail this month. So any walks along the river will have to wait until February.

Have you had a good week? What's your weather like?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE ! 

Cannon Farms in Dunnellon for Sunflowers!

 

It really feels like summer when I take a trip to Cannon Farms for fresh produce and sunflowers.

So let's take the Jeep for a little trip to Dunnellon!

We've already driven past the farm on our trips to Blue Run Park and the Gulf Coast.

I like to reserve a day when I have lots of time to walk in the fields and take tons of photos.

The weather was beautiful and I packed a lunch.

So I had all day! 

I shopped for fresh produce first and put all of that in the cooler. 

Then I picked up a bag and some clippers and headed for the sunflower fields.

It really takes your breath away to be surrounded by so much beauty...and LOTS of honey bees!

I was trying to describe it to someone and I couldn't find the words to express what an amazing experience it is to be immersed in so much beauty.

So I'll just keep plugging in photos and probably do another post later with MORE photos!

I saw lots of Cattle Egrets flying over the fields.

There were goats, turkeys and chickens on the farm too!

There were Sandhill Cranes and ducks on the drive over. (no photos but nice sightings!)

Even these 'spent' blooms are beautiful in their own way!

Do you love old barns as much as I do?

I wanted to include photos of the Jeep and this was my favorite!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Playful River Otters and friends!

 

We always hope for a special sighting when we go to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.

There's a good chance we'll see lots of neat birds but it's fun to see something out of the ordinary.

Lately, it's been River Otters.

They are a challenge to photograph because the swim under water for a long distance and you never know where they'll 'pop up'!

But they are so cute and fun to see!

A few years ago we watched some Red-shouldered Hawks in a nest. The baby photos were some of my favorites. Old photos in the post HERE.

And we still see the pair near the nest.

We love seeing them all grown up and beautiful.

So perfectly groomed....not a 'hair' out of place.

Oh but this one is having a wild feather day! heehee!

We saw one medium sized Alligator swimming along.

And at the very end of the hike a special bird.

Cedar Waxwing

A beautiful day at the Park! When visitors come, we always take them to Blue Run Park. It's the perfect place to see wildlife and birds. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.