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!

Let's go back to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon!

 

When we want to see a lot of birds and wildlife, we head to Blue Run Park.

White Ibis

It's also a place to 'visit' with a few regulars. A lot of people go there every day to walk or ride bikes so it's fun to see some familiar faces.

We love seeing the boats on the Rainbow River too.

The bridge is near where the Rainbow River and Withlacoochee Rivers come together.

 
The Withlacoochee was sparkling on this particular day.

And below the bridge we spotted two alligators.

Two Red Shouldered Hawks were perched in a tree nearby. 

I have one pictured below but he really blends into the trees!

There were so many small birds but I think most of these are Yellow Rumped Warblers.

One more with the yellow rump visible.

And this is easily identified!

Wood Duck

He flew past us and landed in a pool of water close by!

And then he flew out again!

Lots of neat turtles on the logs.

And a Moorhen hiding in the tall grasses.

I love my forest hikes but you can see a lot more birds and wildlife at Blue Run Park!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

A short walk to the neighborhood pond for 2024!

 

It's always hard to get used to writing the new year! 2024! WOW! 

Let's take a walk to the neighborhood pond. It's not far so I don't count it as a hike but we made 143 hikes on the Florida trails for 2023 so I'm happy with that! 

I walked over there in the late afternoon so the lighting was kind of funny. And the Bald Cypress trees are deciduous conifers that turn a burnt orange and then lose their leaves (or needles) at this time of year. 

Some photos look lighter and brighter than others.

And of course I saw ducks!

When I first walked up, I noticed a whole line of ducks on the bank across the pond.

And this beautiful Great Blue Heron was crouched down in the tall grasses.

Let's see how close we can get!

It was just beautiful in every direction!

Some of the ducks I have tried to ID before and finally realized they are hybrid ducks. 

But if you have a better ID, please let me know and I'll add it to the description.

There were a few Moorhens in the mix too.

And one we see in the winter months....

the Ring-necked Duck.

They are so distinct and beautiful.

It was a nice warm 70 degree afternoon.

The perfect way to begin the new year!

Happy New Year everyone!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE ! 

From the elegant Great White Egret to the rugged Alligator....it's all at Blue Run Park!

 We spent a couple of hours at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon one afternoon and took about 100 photos!

Withlacoochee River

It's easy to do! 

Rainbow River

But I'll share just a few.

Great White Egret

Great white Egret, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis

Cormorant

Too much 'picture taking', he's taking off! 

Moorhen and Pied-billed Grebe going their separate ways!

Wood ducks

It's the one place we can see a lot of birds and wildlife right from the paved trail.

And yes, we saw 4 alligators...every size! 

Small Alligator observed (zoomed in) from the bridge.

We even saw a baby gator but didn't get a great photo of him. We'll go back and try again though!

Always an adventure to hike the Blue Run Park trail! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

Inglis Lock Recreation Area

 

I was planning a post to show the wildflowers we are seeing now in North Central Florida. The forest is bursting with tiny blooms and blossoms. We even saw Cactus in bloom this week.

But then we drove out to the Inglis Locks and I just had to show you what we saw there.

I'll start with the MOST exciting sighting!

A Glossy Ibis

We see a lot of Ibis here. (the White Ibis have walked through our yard more than once this week)

He was near the locks and hard to get good contrast! All that green grass and blue sky that we LOVE here in Florida!

We rarely see the Glossy Ibis and usually when we do it is in a field and we can't get a good photo.

It was a beautiful day. 

I even talked to some fishermen and they were catching lots of Bluegill fish. 

So sit back and relax and I'll walk all around and take photos.

(I made a new banner but I don't want to take my humming bird down yet!)

Halloween Pennant Dragonfly

Little Blue Heron (juvenile is white!)

Cormorants (Male and Female)

When we got ready to leave, I spotted something odd in the top of a pine tree.

Someone crashed their model airplane into a pine. Oh my!

One more Halloween Pennant dragonfly up close.

Did you watch any of the choo choo train webcams this week?

 Click on the train icon at the top of my blog and ENJOY!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!