Blue Springs State Park, Alabama

 

We've been camping a lot! And while we were traveling to 'discover the real Florida' we crossed over the state line into Alabama to 'discover' one of their state parks!

When we pulled into the campground and found our space, I thought it seemed like the campsites were close together. But when we got up the next morning and took a walk, we found out there was only one other camper in this big beautiful campground and it was on another loop.

It was a wonderful experience and I wanted to start with this 'campground series' with some pretty Fall photos. 

Who takes a photo of the trash dumpsters?

And it was even beautiful across to the bathhouse.

Of course I found a hiking trail in the forest on the first day.

Grab your pack and camera and let's go!

The temps were perfect, cool at night and in the 70s during the day. The only down side was the newly hatched mosquitoes. I talked with the camp host and he said they didn't have mosquitoes all summer. They had just shown up! I hope we didn't bring them from Florida! Haha!

I saw evidence (as in 'scat') of bears and a bobcat. And I saw lots of small birds like chickadees and this Pileated Woodpecker.

I can't hike without seeing monsters.

Up close, you can see that it's just an old burned out tree but don't hike after dark! 

We were so happy to see some Fall foliage.

I've created some mosaics to share even MORE photos!

Hiking down by the Choctawhatchee River.

It was one of the most beautiful State Parks I've ever seen!

I'll include a link HERE to check out the website. 

Keep Alabama on the camping list!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday 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’.