Wednesday evening we arrived at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, Florida. This is our second visit, and it is so much fun to be here again. We are in a large, corner, full hook-up, pull-thru, with lots of vegetation between sites, so whats not to enjoy!
All you have to do is walk out the door of your RV and the sights and sounds of nature engulf you. This afternoon, a Red-shouldered Hawk flew into a tree near us. He was screeching so loudly and what seemed like a very long time. We couldn’t figure out what had him so upset.
Myakka is a nature lovers paradise! Since Wednesday, I have seen over 44 species of birds, and have taken hundreds of photos! I hope to post a few of them, which depends on the quality of the internet. It has been slow…..
I captured this White Heron hunting for a late meal, the evening light was gorgeous. (Note the yellow legs and bill on.)
“Listen up guys, if I fish here will you leave me alone?”
“Okay, thanks. I will hold you all, to your word.”
“This little guy, I don’t trust so much.”
“I can tell, he is still watching me, I better get out of here.”
“I got a little itch.”
“That feels better; how do I look? Now I just need to catch a fish.”
~
Click on this link Myakka River to see what activities this beautiful park has to offer. It has become one of my very favorite locations.
Yesterday, we ventured out of the park for lunch. Found a local place called Cedar Reef Fish Camp to eat. I had butternut squash ravioli with shrimp and Howard had Fish n Chips (fresh catch haddock). It was all delicious; we love to find local and unique places to eat. Here is their web-site: Cedar Reef.
More photos of Myakka River State Park to follow…
Wolf Song Blog 
What a beautiful spot to call home for awhile. If we ever get back to Florida, I will definitely seek this gem out.
As always, I am loving the late afternoon lighting in your pictures of the heron. So beautiful! Enjoy your time there and I know we will enjoy it too them your lens.
I am intrigued by the butternut squash ravioli with shrimp…sounds yummy Sheila!
Hey Gay! Yes, the evening light is wonderful! It truly makes a difference, as you know. I have been using my 600mm, some hand-held, some with a monopod.
It is very hard for me to take bird photos using a tripod, unless the bird is just standing there. Some of the herons are okay, but others not so much.
The hawk photos I just posted were taken hand held, some with me sitting on the ground. I love this lens and I am getting sure to carrying it around. 😉😉
I hope you are enjoying yours.
I sure hope you get to go back to the tide pools!!! Hugs!!
We love Myakka State Park. We’ve never camped there but usually our bike group from Holiday Cove in Cortez goes there a couple times. We’ve also done some hiking along the waterways to see the baby alligators.
Sheila, would you add a few photos of your campsite and maybe a few others? I didn’t realize they had full hooks. Thanks! Can’t wait to see more photos
Hey Pam, yes I will post some photos of Palmetto Ridge Loop, where we are in Myakka. This loop has full hook-ups. The main park road is paved as well as the roads in this loop. I believe all the sites, in this loop will handle big rigs.
Our site at Lake Louisa had full hook-ups as well as Jonathan Dickinson. A lot of the Florida State Parks have full hook-ups. Some are being renovated to accommodate full Hook-ups. Some don’t still. 😞
I guess I should take more photos of the sites we stay in, just thought that would be boring, but perhaps others would like to see them. You can go to CampSitePhotos.Com search for a park and it will show you photos of a site.
Sounds like you are getting in some hiking over in AZ. Hike on!!!
Thanks, Sheila! I think many of us appreciate a photo of people’s sites, not boring at all:)
I enjoyed a short visit to Myakka State Park last March – we were there long enough for a short hike and picnic lunch and it was all beautiful. But your photos are so gorgeous – it’s looking even better than I remember it in these pictures, Sheila!
Thanks so much, I appreciate your sweet comment. I am glad you got to visit. The park has had a lot of rain in resent weeks, causing flooding in some areas. I know that the cabins are being repaired due to damage.
We were driving on highway 72, which is the main highway from the Interstate to the park and there in the middle of the road were four Sandhill Cranes. At least traffic stopped until they finally decided to head to the side of the road. Today we spotted about twenty feeding in a field. Beautiful birds! Maybe, one day I will get to see Whooping Cranes again, I have only seen two. Thanks for what you do on your blog, I enjoy reading about these birds so much!! Hope to chat with you soon.
This is another beautiful Florida state park we have missed. Love all the wading birds.
Beth, you need to put this one on your list. You have to book early, 11 months out, to get in here. We are in Palmetto Ridge loop, which has full hook-ups. It is a very nice area with lots to do – boating, fishing, hiking, biking, etc.
Talk with you soon, hugs!!
Already put it on my list for future reference! Thank you!
Sounds like a wonderful park. I’m always amazed when the birds allow the gators to get so close. A friendly tri-color at a local birding center just got eaten last week 😦
Hi Ingrid! Yes, Myakka River State Park is a beautiful place. I have some sunset photos I will be posting.
Isn’t it sad that these gorgeous birds get so close to these Alligators and become lunch, really just a snack if that. They can’t weight that much, mostly all feathers, so why do the gators even bother?
Hope you are having a wonderful time over in Texas! Great birding there!
Have fun and keep in touch!
What a pretty area. Weather here in Arizona has not been that nice. Rained 4 days last week and now the temps are running in the 50s. I am not complaining though. Has the weather cooled off in Florida?
Hi Arlene, glad you don’t have anything to complain about! 😊😊 Hope you and Moe are staying very busy, well at least as much as you want! We are just now having nice weather, cooler with a fews nightly rain showers. Up until now it has been so hot – hot to us. Eighty-seven is a little too warm, with high humidity.
It has been a strange winter for most of the country, with El Niño. Last night, just 20 miles away from where we are, a tornadoes touched down; we didn’t even know about it until we watched the weather channel this morning.
We are having fun, staying around the coach, walking, birding, sightseeing and finding good places to eat.
Life is good. Play a few games for me!
Thanks for stopping by and keeping me updated on what you guys are doing! Hugs!