Manatee Springs State Park, the real and the imagined!

 

We spent a few days at Manatee Springs State Park again this month.

That big clump of greenery in the center is poison oak!

I always see some amazing sights along the boardwalk.

And the Suwannee River is always picturesque!

I had a chance to talk to a fisherman on this particular hike and I learned something valuable!

I asked him what the fish were that we were seeing in the water....over a hundred of them!

And he told me they were Mullet. OK, I am familiar with Mullet. They love to jump high out of the water and are fun to watch. But he told me that after a boat goes through the water, stay put and watch the water. Other fish and sea life will come up to the surface. And lo and behold, it is true! And I've seen some amazing sights by taking the time to stop and watch! I even watched a Manatee come up to the surface at the Ochlockonee River a few days later.

 

Reflection of the Suwannee River

I have a good imagination so I wanted to share some photos of things I saw on this one hike, that are not what they seem....

or are they?

Do you see a Mermaid, or the leaf at the top of the photo?

A bird in the tree?

A shark in the water?

A cute sea monster?

A turtle underwater? (it really is a turtle! lol)

Logs and trees can really fool you!

Do you have a good imagination too?

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!

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!

The Wood Stork at Manatee Springs State Park

 

It's always good to learn to identify the birds you see. I find it a challenge but over the years, I've learned a few!

I walked on the boardwalk at Manatee Springs State Park every day that we camped there. 

Sometimes I went more than once a day.

The lighting can be so different and also bird sightings.

I said 'hello' to a couple that I had seen a few times and I noticed his camera with a zoom lens.

One late afternoon, I was on my way back down the boardwalk and saw that he was zoomed in on something in the swamp.

 

So I stopped to look and I said, "Even living here in Florida, it's still a thrill to get to see a Wood Stork."

And they both looked at me with wide eyes and she said, "Is THAT what that is? We didn't know what that bird was." 

So it felt good to actually share that with them. And when he gets home from traveling he will have a bird ID for his photos! It made me smile. I walked on, and when I looked back, he was still taking photos!

This Great White Egret was very beautiful too.

The birds don't feel threatened by people walking on the boardwalk.

So they pose and preen.

The Suwannee River in all of it's glory! 

And my favorite Wood Stork photo!

Do you see his loose feather?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !