Let's drive out to the Gulf Coast!

 We're discovering the 'real' Florida so we won't see seashells on white sandy beaches!

Great Blue Heron flying overhead

But we might see some fisherman trying to catch something on a hot summer day.

Then again, we might not see anyone! haha!

Did I mention it was HOT!

This was my jeep in the parking lot all by it's lonesome! 

John and I stopped at Felburn Park first and walked on a shady part of the trail to see the beauty of the water ponded up on the canal.

It's one of my favorite spots in Florida but not for a hike in June! We are already in the mid 90s every day with high humidity. 

We had our choice of parking places there too! 

Then we drove down over 4 miles of a dusty white road looking out the window at the canal.

It was so hot, the birds were in hiding.

This is a stretch of the Withlacoochee Bay Trail that ends up at a point on the Gulf.

Happy Birthday John!!!

We were happy looking out at the overlooks. It was windy and surprisingly cool there.

I love exploring the backroads of Florida at any time of the year. But our picnic lunch was eaten inside the Jeep with the AC running! Yes, I know....we are wimps!

A horse on the drive over looks like it has 3 eyes! 

Have you packed a picnic this summer? 

It's TIME! And it tastes even better out on a nature trail!

Happy Independence Day America! 

Thanks again for visiting me and leaving such heartfelt comments. 

Blogger buddies are the BEST! 

Love, Diane 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Reed Bingham State Park and the Green Herons

 

We see a lot of herons here in Florida (where I go) but not many Green Herons.

So it was a thrill to see so many at Reed Bingham State Park.

The first one I saw was in the lake near where we were camped.

I got to see him every day that we were there.

But what was a special treat was on the other side of the lake.

We drove over just about every evening after dinner to see what we could see.

And I watched 2 adult Green Herons one evening.

And lo and behold, two young ones came out to greet me the next night.

The sun was low so the light isn't great.

But what a surprise to get to stand on the boardwalk and watch these little ones.

The whole family was on the edge of the water.

This is where I saw the monster gator on another trip but he was in hiding. Which was fine by me! 

A few more photos standing in that same spot and looking the other direction!

This park has the most variety of birds I've ever seen. 

And it can be very different from one side of the lake to the other.

Great Blue Heron

What types of herons do you normally see?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

"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!