Yellow-rumped Warbler (Manatee Springs State Park)Black Vulture (Manatee Springs State Park)Snowy Egrets (Myakka River State Park)Turkey VultureGreat Egret (Manatee Springs State Park)Northern Cardinal (Manatee Springs State Park)Loggerhead Shrike (near Myakka River State Park)Great Blue Heron (Myakka River State Park)Getting ready to take off.
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.
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.)