Early morning at Lettuce Lake Park

Posted on August 12, 2021 by dinajohnston

The lake was low in early June. The summer rains weren’t in full swing yet. The birds above were standing knee deep and they were pretty far out in the lake.

A few spoonbills were feeding close to the boardwalk.

Other birds along the boardwalk were storks and a tricolored heron, posing on a snag.

I saw this northern parula singing his heart out.

A very young titmouse.

Black bellied whistling ducks were cruising by the overlook tower and landing in the trees. They kept hopping from tree to tree, calling out to each other. I saw them when I first got to the park and was on the boardwalk. They were gone 20 minutes later so timing is everything.

My first robber fly sighting. What a cool bug. Although I probably would have freaked out at first if he flew on me. I saw him land on this branch and was wondering what it was.

Views from the boardwalk, not so early in the morning. Although I was there right when it opened at 8am and before there were lots of people on the boardwalk. It was so hot. I can’t image being out here after 11am in June.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Posted on July 25, 2019 by dinajohnston

This was our first trip to this park, just outside of Naples,Florida. It has trails and boardwalks that goes through a swamp in central Florida. I was hoping there would be more birds here since it was the end of April and spring migration was still going on but the boardwalk was pretty quiet.

One cool thing about the park was all of the old trees which kept the boardwalk shaded.

It wouldn’t be a swamp with alligators but it was fun seeing the otter near the boardwalk.

Views from the boardwalk taken with my phone.

After the park, Brett and I left Naples behind and headed home to Tampa. I wanted to take some pictures of the Sunshine Skyway bridge as we drove over but the love bugs were so bad that our windshield was covered in them. The funny thing is that our car wasn’t nearly as bad as other cars and vans that had come from much farther south. Of course, Brett washed the car as soon as we got home.

Serendipity is Sweet

Smiling faces

Posted on June 13, 2019 by dinajohnston

I was very safe taking these shots from the boardwalk at Gatorland. These were all taken during the early morning hours at the bird rookery. It’s hard not to take pictures when they are moving around right below you. Mating season was in full swing so they were being very loud.

This great blue heron was hanging out in the exhibit. I’m sure he knew he could make a fast getaway if needed.

The younger alligators in the ponds at the front of the park all seemed to be smiling this morning. I think they had just been fed.

Views from the observation tower. The birds nest in the bushes all along the boardwalk. There were quite a few other photographers there that morning as well.

SkyWatch Friday

Little critters on my walk

Posted on November 17, 2018 by dinajohnston

Little critters at the Largo Nature Preserve.

Lots of turtles around the lake.

I stopped by Safety Harbor fishing pier on the way home and saw a kiteboarder across the bay.

A quick walk around Largo Nature Preserve in September.

The land of squirrels

Posted on May 2, 2018 by dinajohnston

Squirrels all over the park were eating the pink parts of this plant. Not sure what type plant this was.

I caught this couple flirting on the boardwalk right in front of me. Eventually they realized I was standing there and scampered off the boardwalk and headed up a tree.

Pops of color along the boardwalk.

Empty shells the limpkins leave behind after eating the snails inside.

Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa is full of squirrels. In early March the weather had warmed up and they were out eating and playing all morning.

Linking to Wednesday Around the World

In the fog at Lettuce Lake Park

Posted on April 19, 2018 by dinajohnston

The view along the boardwalk and observation tower at Lettuce Lake back in late February. It was just foggy enough that you couldn’t see the other side of the small lake. I love mornings like these. Not many people out so it was very quiet. All above taken with my phone.

I could just make out the grebes swimming close to the tower.

Even in the fog, the bright colors of the azalea bushes were popping out. These were at the entrance to the park. The azalea flowers don’t bloom long here so I caught them at the right time.

SkyWatch Friday

Green is good

Posted on September 16, 2017 by dinajohnston

The rainy season in August caused the lake at Lettuce Lake Park to flood, raising the plants and bringing them closer to the boardwalk. Everything looked fresh and green one morning right after a shower.

At first I thought this was a branch that had fallen in the water. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a snake, belly up in the water. It’s only a matter of time before a gator makes a meal out of him.

There’s a lake under there somewhere.

In the swamp.

Feeling like Tarzan

Posted on January 5, 2017 by dinajohnston

Lettuce Lake Park has an observation tower on the boardwalk that is several stories high. On the top level you can see into the tall trees that have been growing there forever. The park has some great really old trees that you can only see the bottom of the trunks from the boardwalk. You have to climb up high to see the tops. It’s worth the climb.

Random stuff at Chesnut Park

Posted on January 3, 2016 by dinajohnston

This squirrel showed up with a big piece of bread. I don’t know whether someone gave it to him or he stole it. He carried it to the top of the palm tree, sniffed it a few times and left it there after one bite. I guess he knows what’s bad for him.