'Beauty and the Beast' Blue Run Park in Dunnellon

If you don't want to see a beast, stop reading about 2/3 of the way down! lol

I know I've probably seen this butterfly before but I never got a good ID of it.

It's a Queen butterfly and was just gorgeous.

It was so orange, it was almost brick red. 

And a few of the pretty birds we've seen this week...

Catbird

Prairie Warbler

Wren

So precious!

And now for the 'beast'! I know many of you think because I post a photo of an alligator, I like alligators. But not really. They are so primitive and scary to me. And as long as I am way up high on the bridge looking down at the Withlacoochee River, I don't mind seeing one.

Someone...NOT ME...wrote in chalk!

But there are 2 hanging out on the swamp side of the trail at Blue Run Park. And they are just about ruining my hiking experience. Everyone is talking about them.

This might be a Mama Gator and she is HUGE!

And then there's a baby, not real close to Mama but in the same swamp.

What bothered me most this past week was that the first time we walked by the big gator lounging in the swamp, we took a few pics and moved on. Then when we came back by, it wasn't there. So then I spent all of my time looking for it! It could be ANYWHERE!!!

And just as we were finishing up our hike, there was a trail of water across the trail where the baby had gone from the swamp side to the river side. Wish Mama Gator would cross over (when I'm NOT there) and stay in the river! 

And my oh my but the Withlacoochee River was gorgeous!

Let me see if I can end this with a pretty flower!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

The American Kestrel and friends

 

Fall is the perfect season to get outside in this part of Florida. The weather is mild, humidity is lower and there are interesting birds at every turn. 

Some we haven't seen in awhile.

Like this American Kestrel.

I don't usually get a photo that shows the bright color he sports.

And then how amazing to look up in the sky and see two more soaring overhead.

Can't leave these beautiful birds out on this hike.

The Northern Flicker

And even a photo of his back.

The pretty Eastern Bluebird.

A Red-headed Woodpecker.

A Pileated Woodpecker.

A Tufted Titmouse

Rufous-sided Towhee

Prairie Warbler

Palm Warbler

and a Blue Jay!

All taken on a 2 hour hike on the Florida trails near my house! 

Amazing! I know! 

Have you seen any interesting birds near you this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Florida Hiking!

We love hiking in North Central Florida. When you head out on Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt Trailhead you see huge live oak trees, wet marshy areas and open areas with all kinds of vegetation. 

It's a diverse area where all kinds of birds and wildlife live. Every time we go we see a wonderful variety! We are never disappointed. 

So let's get started! 

I'll just hit some of the highlights of the day!

It's still 'warm' here in Florida so we spotted a few deer under the trees staying cool. Doesn't this photo make you want to sketch this idyllic scene?

We saw this pretty little Prairie Warbler in a tree.

It didn't stay still long enough to get many photos.

But we tried!

This Downy was a neat sighting.

And then we saw a White-eyed Vireo and got a few photos of him.

He had caught something good to eat!

Now let's go into some deep woods! Well, it's cooler here and this is where we saw an Owl once upon a time, but it's time to turn around and go back. 

This section of trail has been mowed but hubby is in front of me and there's a curve in the trail.

And he can see over the high grass along the side of the trail, a wild animal coming RIGHT TOWARD US! 

Hubby got one quick photo and then stepped out so the coyote could see us and change his path. Wild animals do not usually attack you, they avoid you! So the coyote disappeared into the tall grass on the other side of the trail and we didn't see him again. We weren't really in danger but it makes a good story. AND I must admit, we picked up our pace and felt very privileged to see something so WILD on this hike!

In this closing photo, it looks like hubby has gotten way ahead of me again! 

WAIT UP HONEY!!! 

(just ONE more butterfly pic, I promise)

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.