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!

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!

Manatee Springs State Park on the Suwannee River

 We camped at Manatee Springs State Park just before the manatees came up into the warmer waters of the Springs for the winter. I hope we can go back soon.

It was sad to see all the damage from the hurricanes back in the Fall. There were so many trees down and a lot of the camp sites were closed because of the damage. 

We saw these Blue Catfish right off of the boardwalk.

They were 3 or 4 ft long! And there were a dozen or more that we could watch!

The campsites that are open are well tended but it will take years to clear all the downed trees and debris. 

It's a wonderful campground with lots of wildlife wandering the campground and the river and springs are close enough to walk to, more than once a day.

That little white triangle is another Grebe that this one was chasing off! 

We were happy to see that the boardwalk had been repaired. It was closed in the Spring when we were there.

Comorant

Eagle overhead!

There's such a great view of the river.

A headless Little Blue Heron!

Whew! He DOES have a head after all! lol

And this Great White Egret is trying to hide in the swamp!

I love these Cypress knees!

Isn't the Suwannee River gorgeous! 

It's a beautiful place to camp or spend the day!

It's Florida in the winter time! Come on down!!!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE ! 

Rainbow Springs State Park "Close to Home"

 

We are so fortunate to have several State Parks in this part of North Central Florida.

Rainbow Springs State Park is one of the closest to our house.

The campground is right near the Rainbow River with it's sapphire colored water.

So I walked down to the river a couple of times each day to see what birds and wildlife I might see.

It was a beautiful walk with palm trees along the path.

Anhinga

We've camped there twice now and one thing we learned is how different each experience can be, depending on where you are camped.

The first time we stayed there, we backed into our camp space and opened the back on the van up, pulled the screen down and our view from the back and from every window, was the forest.

That's my kind of camping! 

I love to be surrounded by nature.

Little Blue Heron

The next time we camped, our space had other campers close by, even behind us. It was interesting but I gave higher ratings to the secluded campsite.

This is the second campsite and it still looks beautiful!

One of the unusual sightings was the scuba diver.

You can see he has a float with a flag out front to signal that he is underwater to boats and kayaks.

It sure is fun to research State Parks in Florida and get away for a few days!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !