We are currently in Alafia River State Park. Our friends Karla and Larry are camping here with us for a few days, and we are very glad they are here.
Since Wednesday we managed to get in a few walks and one neat hike. If you like to bike and/or ride horses, Alafia River is the place to come. Check out this beautiful Florida State Park here: Alafia River.
Here are a few photos of our site and the campground. We have four Live Oak trees on our site.
Our rig
Our side yard for seven days.
Paved streets into the park and around the loops.
My Orchid seems to like it also. One started to bloom again!
Our view out the front windshield .
Water and electric; central dump station.
Pavilion amphitheater
Horse stalls
Lake on a cloudy day
Butterfly Garden in winter
The girls are enjoying it here.
Skye RiverKloudA trailA pondKarla, Larry and Howard. Check out this bike trail.This park is known for its elaborate bike trails.
This park is pastoral and peaceful, and filled with live oak trees. The birds love these Live Oak trees. We have spotted several Osprey, one Bald Eagle and seventeen other species so far. Here is a beautiful Green Heron and a Killdeer.
Green Heron
Killdeer
A little fall color in winter. Alafia River State Park
This tells us, some of the park buildings were build during 1934-1941.
This tells us,the park was established in 1935 and 1,920 acres were donated by the Palmer family.
Notice the photo of the plaque above, it is attached to these old log buildings, currently being used as a restroom and a picnic pavilion. Again, letting people know when and by whom these building were constructed. Right behind these building is the river and some people choose to launch their kayaks there.
There is a small room attached to the open, covered, picnic pavilion that houses a fireplace. Benches are placed around the room for people to sit on while enjoying the fire.
One cool morning while on a walk, we discovered that a fire had been started, and it was nice to stand there for a few minutes gazing into the flames. The last photo above is an outdoor amphitheater.
Lots of paths in the park to choose from. On this day a walk through moss covered oaks and palms, some covered with ferns.
Also, while out walking the paths, you are guaranteed to see Black and Turkey Vultures, and Herons fishing along the banks of the Myakka River.
The sites in the Palmetto Ridge area at Myakka River State Park are all full hook-up, some are pull-through, some are back-in, and even a few are drive-in, such as the empty one above. There are two bath houses, both with washers and dryers. All roads in Palmetto Ridge are paved, all sites are gravel. And, when it rains really, really hard, like it did on Friday, you will have your very own pond!
This state park is unique and gorgeous. A lot of people come to see the alligators; I come to see the birds and the sunsets. Each of us have their own reasons for wanting to walk along the Myakka River.
I took the photo of this gator while standing on a bridge looking down at him.
We have spent the last few days hanging around the park. Taking walks, birding and enjoying other hobbies. It has been cool, temperatures in the 60’s. We are loving the lower temps!
Remember my header photo of the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks? The reason they were able to rest with their eyes closed is, because they always have one watching for signs of danger.
A beautiful Northern Cardinal, daily visitor to our site.
A late evening walk along the river gave me these two gifts above.
Great Blue Heron
Look closely at the Great Blue Heron photo above. The two additional Anhinga photos are of it trying to dry its feathers after hunting.
A few additional Anhinga photos from walks around the park.
Little Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Great Egrets, all seen in Myakka River State Park.
Along with Black-crowned and Green Herons
Glossy and White Ibis, another late evening shot.
Myakka River State Park is a wonderful place to visit if you enjoy birding, biking, hiking, kayaking, or just the peacefulness of being out in nature.
Coming up, a late evening photo shoot with a Snowy Egret.
Last Thursday, Howard and I took a walk down a path in the park.
We ran into a naturalist, on Wednesday when we arrived, and he told us about this path, saying he has seen Barred Owls in this area. We met him last year when we visited the park for the first time, and found him to be a real character and very knowledgeable.
I was sharing with him my lack of never having seen a Barred Owl in the wild. Saying, “it would be a nice Life List bird for me”. So off we go in search of this elusive owl.
It was a pleasant walk with temperatures just about perfect. The path we were walking on was slightly higher than the forest floor with swampy areas between us and the trees.
As we walked along enjoying the scenery, we saw something fly across the road up ahead of us. We tracked it to where we thought it entered the forrest. We were looking up into the trees and this Red-shouldered Hawk had landed on the ground next to the water. Seeing it standing there, near the water, was a surprise. It appeared to be digging in the moist earth. Of course as we approached it flew up into the trees.
Sadly, no Barred Owl sighting for me on this day, just a beautiful hawk. I will keep searching.
We continued, over the next 30 minutes or so, to watch this hawk as it hunted along this path. After observing, it fly into several different places and its behavior, I believe it was gathering nesting material; however, I can’t be sure.
Here are several photos as it flew from the ground to tree to tree.
The hawk flew to this stump and sat there looking around. Notice its muddy beak.
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It took to higher ground landing on this tree branch.
This spot was near the ground; a low branch over the swamp.
Last location, was back into a tree. This photo is blurry, but it shows this beautiful Red-shouldered hawk snapping small twigs.
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The feathered photo above shows a Palm Warbler with its back to me. I took this photo while watching the Red-shouldered Hawk.
Later in the day, in a different location, I took this photo of another Palm Warbler.
The header photo above shows Black-bellied Whistling Ducks catching a few winks.
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.”
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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.
This tells us,the park was established in 1935 and 1,920 acres were donated by the Palmer family.
“That feels better; how do I look? Now I just need to catch a fish.”
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