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 ! 

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 !  

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’.