Tag Archives: Manatee Springs State Park

On The Road, Photos-Birds, Poetry

~Look Up~

19 Comments

Look up you just might see,

a feathered friend perched in a tree,

eating, resting, preening,

always a pleasure for me.

IMG_2175
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Manatee Springs State Park)
Black Vulture
Black Vulture (Manatee Springs State Park)
Snowy Egrets (Myakka River State Park)
Snowy Egrets (Myakka River State Park)
Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Great Egret
Great Egret (Manatee Springs State Park)
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal (Manatee Springs State Park)
Loggerhead Shrike (near Myakka River State Park)
Loggerhead Shrike (near Myakka River State Park)
Great Blue Heron ( Myakka River State Park)
Great Blue Heron (Myakka River State Park)
Getting ready to take off.
Getting ready to take off.

Sharing with:

Michelle at Rambling Woods-Nature Notes

http://ramblingwoods.com/2015/01/05/nature-notes-294

and

Stewart at Wild Bird Wednesday

http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/2015/01/wild-bird-wednesday-130-tawny-frogmouth.html

 

 

On The Road, Photos-Bugs, Butterflies, etc.

~Photo of the Day-Green Leaf Bug~

10 Comments

A funny looking bug, trying to hitch a ride on one of our car roof rails!

Leaf Bug
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

http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com

 

 

Until Next Time….. 

On The Road, Poetry

~Manatee Springs State Park~

15 Comments

Strolling through the woods,

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 Woods
A Stroll Through the Woods
Odd Bird Out
Odd Bird Out
A pier leading to the Suwannee River
A pier leading to the Suwannee River
I See You
I 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!!
Bubble!!
Manatee Spring - Florida's largest freshwater springs. An Inviting 72 Degrees
Manatee Spring – Florida’s largest freshwater springs. An Inviting 72 Degrees
Manatee Springs is a favorite diving spot.
Manatee Springs is a favorite diving spot.

Reflection Art:

Artsy Cypress Trees

IMG_2173

Three's a Crowd
Three’s a Crowd

Park Visitors:

All alone
All alone
High above the Spring
High above the Spring
Northern Cardinal (female)
Northern Cardinal (female)
Lookout
Lookouts
Post Ornament
Post 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.)

Until next time...
Until next time…..