“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”~ John Muir
For Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week, I have a few pics of the amazing creatures I found on my walk in a Florida nature reserve. (Click on any image to enlarge.)
First up is is the undisputed King of the entire outfit sleeping the day away, oblivious to all his subjects who are going about their daily business, and the stares of us visitors to his kingdom.
These large, juicy fish, are very wisely keeping well out of his way.
Two Great Blue Herons sit huddled together, sharing secrets.
Baby Anhingas wait impatiently for their afternoon sushi snack,
and their uncle is drying off his wings after a fishing expedition.
Mr Turtle pops his head out to say “Hi.”
The Common Gallinule practices walking the plank,
whilst the White Ibis community just hang out.
The Boat-tailed Grackle with his glossy black feathers, sparkles in the afternoon sun.
Mrs Spider has created a most impressive web to ensure that her fine dining needs are well catered for.
The Tricolored Heron has a reflective moment as he shares his place in the sun with a couple of pond-weed covered turtles.
It’s just another lazy afternoon for this most handsome of fellows, who just has to be the absolute ultimate in ‘Lounge Lizards’.
I saw so many wonderful creatures in nature as I ambled around the boardwalks, and I also kept a look out for the lion which I’d spied on my last visit. He was still there, although I’m sure most visitors walked over him without noticing his cute face peering up at them.
I hope you enjoyed your nature walk with me. To see more entries for Cee’s Challenge, click on the badge below.
Love the iguana. Do they come in all colours or change like chameleons? I saw a huge green one in the Everglades…..
I don’t know much about them, but when we were in Costa Rica, our guide told us that green iguanas aren’t always green. You can learn more about how and why they change colour, here. http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/skincolor.html
Wow, is that a real crocodile ? Love them 🙂
Well it’s actually a real alligator. 🙂
I give you a lots of credit for that!! 🙂 🙂 great job.
Aww …. the Baby Anhingas are so very cute. The turtle looks like he wasn’t happy. Of course, they never smile. ~~~ : – ) The lounge lizard very primitive looking. The first time I saw one here I was paralyzed with fear. Nice shots …!!!
Thanks, Issy. No, I’ve never seen a turtle smile. Now, alligators are another kettle of fish altogether. 😀
Absolutely wonderful photos! Apparently I’ve got to check out your part of the State! 🙂
Thanks, Linda. Yes, you really must check it out. There are wondrous things to be seen. 🙂
The sleeping cros is something I’d rather not stumble on during a nature walk. 🙂 I love the lion pic. So cute.
Thanks, Imelda. The alligator was not right in our path, thankfully. 🙂
LOVE those herons, Ad 🙂 Beautiful shot!
Thanks, Jo. 🙂
Love these…especially the last one. Reminds me that yesterday I was seeing faces in all types of odd places. 🙂
Thanks, Sherry. 🙂
I loved taking this walk with you today, Sylvia. The lion is SO cute! 😀
I ditto Dianne’s comment. Loved that you shared that lion with us.
Thanks so much, Nancy. 🙂
Thanks, Dianne. Yes that lion’s sad face really got to me. I wanted to take him home. 🙂
That’s quite a nature walk Sylvia, not likely to find anything like that around here.. 🙂
Thanks, Adrian. You find equally amazing, but different nature stuff during your forays into nature. 🙂
That turtle is trying to get up close and personal. Whoa!
Love the web. Great batch of pix, ad. Thanks for the nature walk. 🙂
He popped his head out at just the right moment. Lucky me! Glad you enjoyed our walk together, Gemma. 🙂
Great photos! I like them all and I love how you narrate their stories especially the two blue herons ‘huddled together sharing secrets’ 🙂
Thanks so much. I would have loved to know what they were whispering there. 🙂
Me too 🙂
You have got to be kidding us! All this wildlife on ONE walk?? Glorious, just glorious. And that face in the tree, just another gift. Margie
Wasn’t I just so lucky? Glad you enjoyed along with me, Margie. 🙂
Great finds indeed Sylvia and all so beautiful! My favourite is the Iguana. He is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing hon. 😀 *hugs*
Thanks, Sonel. Yes, that Iguana has the most ‘lived in’ face I’ve ever seen. 🙂
They are so adorable! 😀
This was a great walk with you… as for the Lion head..brilliantly spotted… careful he don’t bite…
Thanks, bulldog. He’s a real friendly lion. 🙂
Those are wonderful finds ad 🙂
*Hugs*
Thanks, Hopestar. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂 xx
A great walk with you to see these wonderful creatures. Some of them are a bit scary or say dangerous to be close. I might have to run first 🙂
Thanks, YC. Glad you enjoyed seeing the pics, without the danger from the scary creatures, 🙂
That is what i call a fantastic wildlife ! … I´m so glad that you are sharing these photos with us … Your photos is just great ! … // Maria 🙂
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Maria. 🙂
Oh what glorious fun to join you on this walk. You’re almost convincing that Florida isn’t all bad. 🙂
Thanks, Gunta. I’m enjoying finding out Florida’s good points. 🙂
So much to see in such a small nature reserve 😀
Yes, it’s so amazing. 🙂
I really like your photos, the two herons are my favorite of this series 🙂
Thanks so much. Those Great Blues are so gorgeous. 🙂
They certainly are 🙂
Wow, lovely photos. I haven’t heard of anhingas or grackles before. Are they native to Florida? My favourite out of this collection is the photo of the Great Blue Herons. They look like they are discussing something confidential!
Thanks os much for your lovely comment. Yes, the Anhingas and Grackles are native to Florida. We have a wonderful variety of bird life here. 🙂
What a terrific collection you have here Sylvia! The detail in your first photo and those baby anhingas are spectacular. 🙂
Thanks so much, LuAnn. That alligator is really something. 🙂
You never disappoint with what you share!
And – yes – I do see the king of the jungle. 😉
Thanks so much, RoSy. 🙂 xx
Impressing photos, Sylvia. How is too see Mr. Crocodile so close? Brrrr
Thanks, Dana. I was glad that alligator was sleeping, although he did seem to have one eye slightly open. 🙂
I still love that lion. Can you imagine how people would think you’re insane if you told them you saw a lion in Florida? 😉
Plenty, I would think, so I won’t say a word to my friends. 🙂
Aw those Baby Anhingas with their downy fluff Sylvia …
SO many lovely photo opportunities, it must have been stop start all the way round 😉
A more appealing Lion I’ve not seen for sometime .. what a 😦 expression
Thanks, Poppy. Yes, it was a very slow meander indeed, always on the look out for more treasures of nature. 🙂 You’re so right; the lion looks quite melancholic. 😦
Life’s little discovery’s! I love those kinds of walks where nature surrounds and engulfs. Are you in south FL?
Thanks, Ingrid. Yes we’re in south Florida….Boynton Beach area.
What a tremendous group of wildlife photos Sylvia!
My favorite is (big surprise) the alligator, but I love ’em all! Well done!
Thanks, Phil. Glad you enjoyed, especially Mr A. No surprise there. 🙂
These are wonderful shots and story to keep us scrolling. You must know those animals personally to get them to pose so beautifully for you. It looks like the turtle just came up to say hi. How fun. Thanks for saving the lion for last. I was asking myself, “Do they really have big cats with all those animals just lounging around? How did they get there? I’m so gullible! We actually did see a mountain lion sitting like a giant house cat by the side of the road the other day. 🙂 Have a great weekend, Sylvia 🙂
Thanks, Marsha. Glad you enjoyed the pics, and thanks for making the time to visit, in spite of your busy schedule. How wonderful to see a mountain lion! They’re beautiful cats, but I wouldn’t like to get too close. 🙂
Fortunately we were driving. My friend and I often walk on that road. That’s a little frightening! Ok a lot frightening’
You have so many great photos…then I saw the face on the wood and I have to pick that up as my favorite. Thanks for playing. See you next week!
Thanks so much, Cee. I thought the lion was quite fun. Glad you liked him. 🙂
If you finished with a cold beer and a good meal, this would describe a kind of perfect day for me.
Thanks for bringing us along!
Thanks, El G. A glass of wine and a great meal was a good end to my day. 🙂
What great photos. We are so fortunate to have such varied and beautiful wildlife available to pose for our lenses. Great post, ad.
Thanks so much, Pat. 🙂