Reflections

 When we were at Blue Run Park, I took photos of the observation deck across the Rainbow River. 

It's beautiful where we were standing too but I was mesmerized by the scene in front of me.

Hubby was taking pics too!

It was hard to choose a favorite photo!

So I'll share a mosaic of every one I took! 

I love taking photos of the swamp as we walk too.

It had rained the day before and the water level was high.

Beautiful!

And more of the swamp photos in a mosaic!

Doesn't this cloud look like a feather? 

(or have I stood outside too long looking up into the sun? heehee)

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too! 

Blue Run Park is a little less 'WILD'!

 

We saw some news about Blue Run Park in Dunnellon but we hadn't had a chance to visit the park. 

Withlacoochee River

One early morning it was 'less hot' and it had rained the night before so we headed over there. 

the Swamp

And read the letters that stated some of the large alligators had been relocated!

We love our wildlife here in Florida but there was a huge alligator on the swamp side of the trail that was a little too close for comfort for us too. So I'm glad he got moved to a better location. Lots of people walk on this trail, including people with dogs and small children in tow. An alligator can move faster than we can get out of the way, so this was good news.

It was funny to see this huge turtle on the alligator log though.

Do you think he ATE the alligator and took over the log? 

Just kidding....just kidding!!!

And maybe the Wood ducks are missing the big alligator in their pond.

They found a log that looks very much like an alligator and started preening.

We love these beautiful ducks.

And don't forget....this is not scum or algae in the water.

 It is a plant called duckweed.

I hope you've had a chance to get out in nature even if it is just to walk around outside where you live. It's hot here so I make my hikes shorter but there's no way I can stay inside every day! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

The Beauty of the Swamp in February

 

I'm always hoping to show the beauty of the 'real Florida' all through the year.

And take away some of the misconceptions too.

The swamp we walk along when we are on the trail at Blue Run Park is a good example of beauty you might not expect to find. 

It truly is breathtaking in February. 

Sometimes the sun filters down and gives it a neat effect and other days, some of the maple trees show their color. 

And the huge Cypress trees always look pretty with the pink and white lichen and yellow tones of the tree trunks.

Just a few of the neat sightings on this particular hike!

Anhinga

Anhinga immature

We saw several Anhingas this particular day.

I love the reflection in the water!

And this one looks like a work of art!

And maybe not what we consider beautiful, the young alligators are still very cute!

For the locals, they are near the bridge on the Eastern side, down on the bank below.

Enjoy your week and the beauty that surrounds you!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Hike #129 Blue Run Park in Dunnellon

 We've hiked quite a bit this week because of the beautiful weather.

Ibis

And there are SO many birds and critters around right now.

I thought I would just share the entry from my hiking journal and then show a few photos.

#129 Blue Run Park to the bridge, beyond to the pond

74 degrees 52% humidity, 1 hr 42 min, 2.2 miles 

Gorgeous! Perfect sun and some clouds! Good day!

Large Swamp Gator, head out of water, mouth OPEN, all sizes of teeth!

Tricolor Heron, Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Green Heron, Hawk, 4 Kingfishers, 3 Kingfishers chasing each other-neat, turtles, Grebes, Moorhen, Warblers, Cardinal, Wren. 

Hawk on ground near our home. 

Large Purple Aster in full bloom! Bumblebee preening on the trail. Stinkbug on flower.

Driving back on the hwy near a Dunnellon airport, small plane flew RIGHT in front of us, scared us both!

Yes, we walk slow when we go to Blue Run because there's so much to see! And I write in my journal after every hike which is a fun way to keep up with what we are seeing from year to year. 

Here's a few of the birds and critters we managed to photograph!

Red shouldered Hawk

Anhinga

Green Heron

Tricolored Heron

Purple Asters on the Withlacoochee River

Purple Asters

Bumblebee on trail

Swamp Gator

I warned you that his mouth was open showing his teeth!

Turtle soup?

Banana Trees

It's perfect hiking weather in Florida! Come on down!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

What's in the swamp?

 The swamp is beautiful in Blue Run Park!

The Cypress trees are magnificent and on the surface of the water are thousands of duckweed plants.

It gives the impression that the swamp has slime but it is alive and well.

It was interesting to see the Green Heron in the swamp.

But what made it unusual was seeing it fly and jump from one cypress knee to another.

That's a cypress knee with the orange on top.

It's simply a structure growing above the roots and serves as a perch for all kinds of birds and critters.

We tried to keep up with this Green Heron.

But it finally said, HEY, you're crowding me and flew further into the swamp.

And this Wood duck seems to be saying something to the turtles.

Like.....TRY to keep up!

Talked to any birds this week? 

Join us for Saturday critters and birds!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.