~February, 2018, Lake Louisa State Park near Clermont, FL.
~ Lake Louisa can be reached by walking along a boardwalk, which spans a swampy area filled with Cypress trees and Swamp lilies. Take a moment to stop along the boardwalk, who knows what you might see.
~A portrait only nature can paint.
~Swamp Lilies rising out of “green soup”.
~The boardwalk leads you to the sandy beach of Lake Louisa. Swimming is allowed if you are brave enough to endure its cold temperature this time of year. I declined, what a wimp I am.
~What a great place to enjoy hiking, the park offers over twenty miles of trails.
This huge Live Oak tree welcomes you to walk underneath its branches, and to adventure along the sandy trail to see what lies ahead.
As I walked slowly pasted this Live Oak, admiring its beauty, I thought I heard it whisper “Be careful, have fun and watch for snakes!”.
~Cypress trees rise out of the water.
~A solitary walk, beautiful scenery, an opportunity to be reflective.
~A lone Cypress tree stands guard over the lake. “How old are you I ask?”
~I’am not alone, looks like I found a friend. He told me hello and poses for my camera.
~Many trails in the park meander through piney woods, and if you are lucky a glimpse of its inhabitants.
~Lake Louisa State Park, one of Florida’s treasures~
Note:Header photo is a photo I took during a previous visit to the park. Many Gray Catbirds call Lake Louisa home.
A small heron, adults dark blue-gray with purple-maroon neck, immatures are unique among all herons in that they are white. Prefers to feed in fresh water and edges of grassy pools. Eats fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles, shrimp and crabs. When water disappears they will eat grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and other insects of the grasslands. Flight is graceful and strong, wing strokes quicker than that of larger herons.Flies with head drawn in on shoulders.
Little Blue Heron (Juvenile)Jonathan Dickinson State Park, FloridaLittle Blue Heron (Myakka River State Park)
December, 2015, – Visiting family in Hobe Sound, Florida
A boat ride along the intra-coastal canal with Bob, Howard’s brother.
A stop for fuelDoes hubby look like a sailor?A stop at Saint Lucie Inlet. We docked the boat and took a two mile hike.Looking east. Know what is over there?DockingNo luck fishing off the pier. Can you tell they are related?Looking West, the sun is getting low.At the end of our two mile hike.A Ring-billed Gull fly over.
Photos from Myakka River State Park, Florida – January, 2016
In many cultures, storks represent fertility, springtime and good luck.
Wood Stork
Beauty I have none,
grace in flight I have plenty,
perseverance, I am proof.
Interesting Fact:
This species seems to have evolved in tropical regions; its North American presence probably postdates the last ice age. A fossil fragment found might be of the living species; it is at most from the Late Pleistocene age, a few 10,000s of years ago.
While camped at Lake Manatee State Park this Northern Cardinal visited our campsite. He sang his heart out for the longest time. I never did see a female around.
~Swamp Lilies rising out of “green soup”.
~The boardwalk leads you to the sandy beach of Lake Louisa. Swimming is allowed if you are brave enough to endure its cold temperature this time of year. I declined, what a wimp I am.
~What a great place to enjoy hiking, the park offers over twenty miles of trails.
~Cypress trees rise out of the water.
~A solitary walk, beautiful scenery, an opportunity to be reflective.
~A lone Cypress tree stands guard over the lake. “How old are you I ask?”
~I’am not alone, looks like I found a friend. He told me hello and poses for my camera.
~Many trails in the park meander through piney woods, and if you are lucky a glimpse of its inhabitants.
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