We finally got to hike at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon for the first time in 3 months. It was closed for awhile and then when it did open, it was too hot to hike there. I've mentioned before that you walk with a swamp on one side and a river on the other so it's a great breeding ground for mosquitoes and bugs. But on the first day of Fall, the weather was perfect! Warm but lower humidity and a breeze!
And what a thrill when we got to see a bird we had never seen before.
The American Redstart!
We could see it really well but it 'flitted' so it was difficult to get good photos.
It was easy to identify when we got home though.
It's considered "the butterfly of the bird world".
And how about this? What's black and white and red, yellow and orange all over?
Setophaga Ruticella, of course!
It was quite a day of bird sightings, starting in the parking lot.
A Great White Egret.
Limpkin
Green Heron
(Duck weed is the beautiful tiny plant that looks like moss or scum in the swamp)
Black crowned Night Heron
He was busy fishin'!
And doesn't this alligator look like it is smiling?
We were high on the bridge looking down when we saw it so no danger there. And no people at Blue Run either. We saw a total of about 8 people in the 2 hours we were there. Incredible!
We spotted another alligator in the swamp, draped over an old log. How funny!
And the log this turtle is on looks like a 'gator! lol
I'm pretty sure this is a Black and white Warbler!
Let's stand on our heads for a better look! lol
I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE
and I’d Rather B Birdin’.
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