I have a passion for the outdoors and I am most happy enjoying what nature has to offer. Hobbies include photography, birding, Pickleball, astronomy, biking, and hiking. I have been happily married, for 50 years, to an amazing person.
On Christmas day we were hiking a trail at Lake Louisa State Park. A foot off the trail, suspended at eye level, was this gorgeous Golden Orb spider. You have to admit she is pretty. I wouldn’t want her touching me, but she was nice to admire and capture with my camera.
A few facts about this gorgeous spider: (taken from the web)
Physical features: The female generally exhibits yellow spots on a muted orange/tan abdomen (with banded brown and orange legs), and the male is a fairly plain dark brown. The male is 1/2” (12mm) long and the female is much larger, at 1″ to 3″ (25 mm to 75 mm) long.The abdomen on both the male and female Banana spider is 2 1/2 to 3 times as long as it is wide. The female’s legs have brownish stripes with noticeable tufts of black hair on her 1st and last pair of legs. The male has a less colorful appearance, but he also has tufts of black hair on his legs.
Poisonous: No
Lives in: warm, sunny climates
Eats: Like many spiders, prefers to eat flying insects like bees that are attracted to the golden web it weaves. These spiders also go after larger prey like butterflies and moths.
A funny looking bug, trying to hitch a ride on one of our car roof rails!
Green Leaf Bug – (Katydid)
As we were getting in the car, I spotted what I thought was a green leaf on top of the roof. I reached up to grab the leave and throw it on the ground and quickly realized it was not a leaf.
For a few Fun Facts on this bug go to http://www.bugfacts.net/katydid.php#.VJ4SUJ0B
Sharing with: Saturday’s Critters at Viewing Nature with Eileen
Red oaks and cypress trees reaching toward the sky,
Moss dangling from branches,
Vultures watching me.
In the distance a pier,
Inviting me to the river,
Reaching the end I peer down,
A cute little eye, looking up at me.
A Stroll Through the WoodsOdd Bird OutA pier leading to the Suwannee RiverI See You
Manatee Springs is an important winter refuge for West Indian manatees. From November through April, these gentle giants are regular visitors to the spring. (taken from park brochure)
Bubble!!Manatee Spring – Florida’s largest freshwater springs. An Inviting 72 DegreesManatee Springs is a favorite diving spot.
Reflection Art:
Three’s a Crowd
Park Visitors:
All aloneHigh above the SpringNorthern Cardinal (female)LookoutsPost Ornament
With no TV, no internet (at times we will get extremely slow service) and no cell service (text messaging works fine) what to do other than walk the parks 8.5 miles of trails, take photos of Manatee Springs and the Suwannee River, bird watch and just enjoy this beautiful park.
There are 78 campsites in the park and they are pretty primitive with water and electric. We were in shock when we first arrived, but now just love this park.
One loop is closed for renovation and will have a brand new bath house and new, improved sites with FULL hookups. This loop will hopefully be open by May, 2015.
Sorry for not responding to comments, I truly appreciate each and everyone! We leave here Sunday and will be back in communication!! (I hope.)
With one last opportunity to observe the beautiful Myakka River and the numerous birds that visit this area, we stood on a bridge and looked out across the water. I knew, for this winter season, it would be my last visit to Myakka River State Park. I fell in love with this state park and this spot on the bridge.
The next morning we were leaving and I remember feeling sad. My photos of this Tricolored Heron were taken on this evening.
The Tricolored heron, formerly known as Louisiana Heron, is truly gorgeous The name tricolored refers to the dark upperparts, white underparts, and the reddish brown stripes on the fore neck. You will often see this heron wading out into a salt marsh belly deep; deeper than most other herons.
The heron was running back and forth stirring the water hoping to scare up something to eat. He didn’t know it, but he was entertaining us with his actions.
By this time the sun was setting and the light was fading. The heron seemed to become more frantic trying to catch something to eat before nightfall. It was getting harder to capture sharp shots, but it sure was fun trying. Several times he would run, stop and lift his wings over his head!
Thank you Tricolored for giving me a wonderful experience, making me smile and lifting my sadness. I hope to see you again when we return to Myakka River.
Wolf Song Blog 