Location: Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida
This morning the Myakka River was filled with birds searching for breakfast. This Wood Stork was fun to watch as she hunted for a morsel. She turned up a good sized fish, which took her a few minutes to get down.
Wood Stork Searching for Breakfast (a little Pied-bill looking on)
Pied-billed Grebe (photo taken 11/09/2014)
“Got something?”
“I finally got one!”
It was a big fish. She almost has it down.“Yummy, whats for lunch?”
The photo below, of a Wood Stork, was taken last evening as the sun was setting over the Myakka River.
“See you later”
This post is my contribution to Wild Bird Wednesday
We spent a total of five nights at Rocky Bayou State Park, our first visit to this beautiful state park. The weather wasn’t the best, cloudy, cool and even cold at times. We did have a few hours, here and there, of sunshine!
Rocky Bayou State Park is located in Niceville, Florida, just over the Mid Bay Bridge from Destin and a few miles from Fort Walton Beach. Most of the RV sites, in the park, are either sand or gravel. The sites facing Rocky Bayou are the largest. We stayed in site 33, which was huge and from our front window we could see the Bayou. The park offers something for everyone: there are several very nice nature trails, birding and butterfly watching and you can rent kayaks to paddle around in the bayou. Lots to do in the park!
The only negative aspect of staying at Rocky, for some people, might be the training flights from Eglin Air Force Base and ammunition detonation, which are very loud and can be heard and felt within the park. I don’t think they train everyday, perhaps every other day!
It did take “the girls” a day or two of adjustment ! It really didn’t bother us too much. We tried not to react to the loud noise so they would stay calm. On one occasion, the noise was tremendous and unexpected and I did react with a few choice words; well that set the girls off – barking their heads off. They really don’t bark or react to things, but they reacted to my outburst this time!!
We did travel a few times over the Mid Bay Bridge to Destin, which by the way cost $3.00 each way. I have to say the beaches in Destin are beautiful. The sand is white and the landscape pristine.
I really enjoyed our walks on the beach; however, I didn’t enjoy the commercialization of the area. Way too crowded for us! Returning to the park, after being in the congestion, was truly appreciated and brought back a sense of peace.
On one of our outings over the Mid Bay Bridge we drove through Henderson State Park, which was beautiful; a must stay on a return trip. We also drove through Top Sail Preserve State Park/Gregory E, Moore RV Resort, which was in a very nice location, but we felt was too crowded for us. The cost to stay at this park is $47.00 a night plus tax!!
We enjoyed a couple of nice lunches at local restaurants, some grocery shopping at Fresh Market (what a selection of fresh fish and seafood they have) and our visit to the Air Force Museum was fabulous! Four days probably wasn’t enough time to get a feel for the area.
A few additional photos from our visit.
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The Gulf Beaches
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Sunlight on the WaterSand DunesPristine sandGulf WavesHere come the Lifeguards!All decked out!Pelicans in FlightA PierWildlife and Habitat protection areaThe Bay Side
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The Woods
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A hiking path at Rocky Bayou State ParkThis stuff covers the forest floor.Moss and Ferns
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The Park
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Boat Ramp and Pier
We enjoyed our first visit to Rocky Bayou State Park and will return! We are currently staying, a few nights, at a state park in Alabama (yes, we have finally traveled out of the state of Florida!) called Meaher State Park, which is located in Spanish Fort (near Mobile). This is our first time to stay at this state park and our first day has been wonderful!
A few scenes from our walk this morning in Rocky Bayou State Park near Niceville, Florida. The weather here has been cold, but the expected rain has been delayed!
ReflectionGreat Blue HeronStream Restoration A habitat once destroyed is coming back to life!This is what the stream currently looks likeAnother viewSheila and Howard being goofy. Standing on the bridge crossing the stream. Looking straight down into the waterGreat Egret fishing in the streamGreat EgretSee ya!A colorful mushroom growing on the forrest floorMoss covered fallen treeBlooming Water LilyBeginning to bloomGreat Blue HeronOur front yard for a few days!Our back yardOur Side View
We enjoyed our day today: an early morning walk through a beautiful forrest; a wonderful lunch at a family restaurant, which opened in 1954; and a visit to the Air Force Armament Museum.
Fighter pilots, flying overhead near the museum, truly entertained me this afternoon during their practice runs. They were flying the new F35 fighter jets! Take off, landing, take off – over and over again! Hopefully my photos came out and I will be able to share with you what they look like!
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