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 !

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 !  

Blue Run Park of Dunnellon Delights

 

We can always count on delights when we hike the Florida Trails at Blue Run Park.

Are you lookin' at ME?

This Green Heron had just been to the hair salon and was proud of his new 'do'!

We think this is a Juvenile Green Heron and probably a teenager! 

He is sporting a new hair style...it's even a bright shade of blue!

He was quite vocal because a Hawk had chased him over to that tree!

We saw lots of neat sights on the trail.

We ended up seeing the Red-shouldered Hawk as we were nearing the parking area.

It is right in the center of the photo below.

We loved getting so close to it and took pics until someone else walked up and then he was scared away.

For anyone local, be aware that the trail is posted right now with signs saying they are getting ready to repave the trail this month. So any walks along the river will have to wait until February.

Have you had a good week? What's your weather like?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE ! 

'Shades of Blue' at Blue Run Park

 Blue Run Park is always a great destination to see lots of birds and beautiful sights.

Wild Blue Iris (Blue Flag)

This Blue Iris grows along the river and swamp and can be seen from the trail. 

We enjoyed a beautiful walk along the Rainbow River and stopped at our favorite spots.

Wildflowers

It has greened up so much lately and the vegetation is so lush that we almost missed this little guy!

But when he raised his head, we recognized it as a Little Blue Heron.

And it was such a brilliant blue that I'm sure it was sporting breeding colors.

The water was a deep blue when we reached the Withlacoochee River too and hubby took a photo of this narrow motor boat. I love taking photos of the boats we see there but don't always include them in a post.

And when we looked down from the bridge we spotted three Alligators. There was one in the swamp along the way too. 

Lots of people go to Blue Run Park in hopes of seeing an alligator. It's really the only place we hike that we can spot a 'gator!

Spiderwort 

Are you starting to see signs of Spring where you live? Our temps are feeling more like summer this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’ 

 and Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

  

I'm including the link to Ocala's Good Life magazine again! I don't want you to miss it. 

     

Enjoy our article in Ocala's Good Life magazine HERE.

A Day at the Park, Blue Run Park

 

Blue Run Park is in Dunnellon, Florida but it isn't your typical 'city' park with picnic tables and playground equipment.

It has nature trails with ponds, a trail that runs with the swamp on one side and the Rainbow River on the other side.

A park that has a big bridge overlooking the Withlacoochee River, the River that flows North!

Alligator seen from the bridge!

And ZOOMED in!

A place to launch kayaks and canoes, nature trails and paved biking and hiking trails.

A side trail with oranges ripening on the trees!

And it is one of the best places we know to see a lot of wildlife and birds. 

Red-Shouldered Hawk

Turtle taken from the bridge

Great Blue Heron on the Rainbow River

And a squirrel!

It's a popular place but never very crowded.

There's lots of space to roam!

Lizard

So I'm sharing some of our sightings from a day at the park.

Do you have a favorite place near you to get out in nature?

It's good for what ails you! Happy weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !