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!

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  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’.  

28 Turtles and Counting!

 No, we didn't stop to count the turtles as we hiked Blue Run Park trail. We counted the ones we saw in our photos when we got home.

So what were they trying to tell us?

Were they there to warn us of impending danger?

Are were they watching us and laughing behind our back!

Because when we got to the bridge looking out at the Withlacoochee River, we were admiring the view...

Standing looking out at the water...

Watching some boats go by...

la la la la la!

And hubby said that dark cloud on the horizon looks threatening!

So we turned around and headed back to the Jeep. Did we make it all the way back before it rained? NO!

The wind blew and the 'bottom fell out'! And we got drenched! We were still 1 mile from the Jeep when it started to 'pour the rain'! But at least we didn't hear thunder or see lightening. And we had zip lock bags for our cameras. So it turned out to be an adventure story to tell. (and it was in the 70s so it wasn't a cold rain)

And it was a good day for ducks!

Wood ducks in the swamp.

Living it up!

And all's well that ends well!

Enjoy your week! Stay warm and dry!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

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’.  

From the smallest bird to the LARGEST critter!

 You can see it all in one hike at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon! 

Wood ducks in the pond. There are a few small ones on one end of that 'turtle log'! And the male is preening at the other end.

And for those kind enough to ask, we live within 15 miles of Cannon Farms, Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and Blue Run Park so it's easy peasy to drive over there. 

We've been so fortunate to watch a Red Shouldered Hawk nest at Blue Run Park this year. We watched babies in the nest there a few years ago so I think these may be the next generation.

And they are both hopping out of the nest now and  perching on nearby limbs. 

AND LOUD? They cry all the time for their parents to come feed them!

But please don't eat the baby ducks!

We saw these near the end of our hike.

Mama is taking them to safety.

And doesn't this little one looked tucked in and safe!

This one too!

Now for the LARGEST critter!

Tom, you keep saying you want to see an alligator!

How about this one? We won't get any closer, thank you very much!

But he is HUGE! Look from behind!!!

Withlacoochee River

I hope your weekend is filled with adventure!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.