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. 

Daytime walks to Manatee Springs

 

I'm trying my best to choose photos from different folders so that I'll have fewer posts of Manatee Springs State Park!

Green Heron

But it's a challenge.

I entitled this folder 'day pics'.

Since it was only 1/2 mile away, I walked over there whenever I wanted to stretch my legs.

We were so fortunate to have good weather while we camped. It was a bit 'buggy' but that's to be expected around the water. 

And this place is like a jungle with all the healthy vegetation.

On Saturday there were a group of scuba divers exploring the caves. 

Once thought of as the longest cave in the world, Manatee Springs cave system includes over 20,000 explored and mapped caves.

It's a popular place for lots of people but even on a Saturday, it wasn't crowded.

So I had a lot of unique bird sightings every day.

I'll share more of the Green Heron.

These are all the same bird but he changed his pose often!

I stood there and watched to my heart's content!

I saw one alligator, one turtle and one monster.

It's a Cypress root or knee but it looked like a turtle monster!

Grumpy Green

Thank you ALL so much for your help with descriptive words for Manatee Springs! One thing we all have in common is our love of nature. We marvel at it's beauty. So here goes the list of words to describe the beauty of the Springs!

Glorious, gorgeous, spectacular, amazing, beautiful, awesome, lovely, splendid, superb, wonderful, grand, impressive, awe-inspiring, awesome, astounding, astonishing, amazing, stunning breathtaking, stupendous, incredible, sensational, out of this world, fabulous, enchanted, magical, insurmountable, unsurpassed, fantastic, unbeatable, awesome, stunning, marvelous, adorable, picturesque, magnificent, beyond beautiful, neat.

And now on to some of the words from other languages! Maravilloso...thanks Teresa

Prachtig, pronounced PRAHKH-tikh...thank you Aritha

And Traude gave me several words in German...hinreibend, marchenhaft, verqauber, atemberaubend, translated...ravishing, fairytale-like, enchanted, breathtaking.

Everyone really came through with words to describe what I've seen at the Springs. I couldn't pick a favorite but I know I'll be using many of these words in future posts. You really are the best blog buddies in the world! You are ALL 'ravishing', meaning unusually attractive, pleasing or striking. 

Thank you!

And thanks for joining me on my walks to the Springs!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday 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 ! 

Hike #129 Blue Run Park in Dunnellon

 We've hiked quite a bit this week because of the beautiful weather.

Ibis

And there are SO many birds and critters around right now.

I thought I would just share the entry from my hiking journal and then show a few photos.

#129 Blue Run Park to the bridge, beyond to the pond

74 degrees 52% humidity, 1 hr 42 min, 2.2 miles 

Gorgeous! Perfect sun and some clouds! Good day!

Large Swamp Gator, head out of water, mouth OPEN, all sizes of teeth!

Tricolor Heron, Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Green Heron, Hawk, 4 Kingfishers, 3 Kingfishers chasing each other-neat, turtles, Grebes, Moorhen, Warblers, Cardinal, Wren. 

Hawk on ground near our home. 

Large Purple Aster in full bloom! Bumblebee preening on the trail. Stinkbug on flower.

Driving back on the hwy near a Dunnellon airport, small plane flew RIGHT in front of us, scared us both!

Yes, we walk slow when we go to Blue Run because there's so much to see! And I write in my journal after every hike which is a fun way to keep up with what we are seeing from year to year. 

Here's a few of the birds and critters we managed to photograph!

Red shouldered Hawk

Anhinga

Green Heron

Tricolored Heron

Purple Asters on the Withlacoochee River

Purple Asters

Bumblebee on trail

Swamp Gator

I warned you that his mouth was open showing his teeth!

Turtle soup?

Banana Trees

It's perfect hiking weather in Florida! Come on down!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.