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!

Manatee Springs State Park for the Manatees!

 We were anxious to get back to Manatee Springs State Park while the Manatees were in the Springs. In the winter months hundreds of these gentle giants come into the Springs where it is 72 degrees year round to escape the colder water of the Suwannee River. The park ranger said there were around 50 here and I got to see about a dozen.

This is the best photo! HaHa! They are a challenge to photograph.

But on the first day there, I walked down to the water's edge and there was a baby (a big baby) that I could have reached out and touched, but of course I didn't! I just stood there and watched it in awe. They are about 60 lbs at birth and this one was about 4 ft long.

This is a pool of water where they congregate.

An adult coming up for air!

I'll need more than one post to share photos of this trip so there will be more to come.

And as if seeing West Indian Manatees isn't exciting enough....

I watched a Limpkin on the nest!

Crazy flying photo!

I heard 2 of them crying out to each other and they are LOUD. You feel like you've landed in Jurassic park when you hear them call! 

It flew up onto a branch and I was snapping pics as fast as I could.

And then it settled onto it's nest with just it's head peeking out.

Again, I was able to point it out to a few people on the boardwalk so that was rewarding too.

It was a real highlight of the trip.

I saw lots of Comorants. 

Cormorants on a log

And several Warblers.

I think this is a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

It's common but still very nice to spot!

So that's one walk down the 800 ft boardwalk! 

I have a lot of photos to share but I plan to step away from the computer for a couple of weeks for a new adventure. We have internet when we camp but I don't spend much time on the computer! Have a beautiful Spring. 

Be back soon! 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Nature Friday HERE!

Gone Fishin'!

 I keep looking for good spots to fish in case I decide to go fishin'! I remember my Grandmother loading her car to go to the river to fish. I think she was about my age at the time.

When we were walking the paved path at Blue Run Park, a Black-crowned Night Heron flew out from the lower branches and caught a fish in one 'fell swoop'! 

It's probably about the size I would catch or more likely I would snag one of the lower branches! lol

Swallowing it WHOLE!

This is a bird we don't see often so it was a nice sighting.

And something we've never seen before were these 4 Pileated Woodpeckers together.

I think the one in the center was doing all the work. The other two were preening!

They are common at the Rainbow River but I think the most we've seen at one time is 2. There were 3 on the tree and another one down below.

Someone stopped to watch with us and he kept saying he had never seen this many together either.

A Limpkin greeted us at the beginning of the hike.

A good day was had by all!

Have you been fishin' lately?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

"Cute Dog Day" at Blue Run Park!

 We see a lot of dogs on our hikes at Blue Run Park. 

And over the years we see some of the same ones and we try to remember some of their names. (it helps when I write them down in my hiking journal) 

I've met this young man with his big therapy dog and we have something in common with them! 

They drive a RED Jeep! heehee!

The weather was gorgeous and everyone was enjoying a nice day.

These are West Highland Terriers!

I sure would love one of these!

And we spotted this beautiful Tricolored Heron out in the swamp too.

We don't see them as often and it was especially colorful.

We also saw a River Otter which was special but didn't get a good photo! What a sighting though!!!

We saw a Limpkin and heard his mournful call too. 

We could stay here ALL day, couldn't you?

But it's time to go home now! See you next time! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Withlacoochee River Weather

 Withlacoochee River Weather

Say that ten times in a row real fast! heehee!

June is in full swing here in Florida and you see lots of vehicles pulling boats on trailers, even more with kayaks and canoes on top of their cars and trucks. 

We love walking the trail along the river at Blue Run Park. 

This Black crowned night heron was easy to see through the vegetation

but hard to get good photos.

And when we got to the river bridge there were boats zipping by....

leaving ripples in the water.

And a beautiful Limpkin on a limb down in the water.

Can you see him right in the center of the photo?

It's not a bird we see very often. And it has a crazy call. You feel like you are in the jungle when you hear him.

I hope you have a chance to get outside and enjoy nature this weekend! 

It's nice to have a choice of river walk or forest hike no matter what the weather. 

Florida's a nice place to live year round and the ocean is calling my name too! SOON! 😎

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.