Silver River State park ~ Florida

Howdee all,

While in Silver Springs,Florida, Jeff and I spent the day in Silver River State Park.

The park has a beautiful campground~it is booked months in advance and I wasn’t able to get a reservation.

It was a Thursday, when arrived we were told the river would be busy on the weekends, so if we wanted to take the canoe ride to the springs…today would be the day to do it.

So… for five dollars and hour…a three hour trip…we decided to go.

It is a half mile walk to the river from the parking lot.

Notice Jeff wearing shorts..he only wears shorts when it is hot…and the last few weeks while in Florida the temps were mid to high 80s.

We passed this fella walking on the path…I decided not to have it for lunch ..:)Jeff unlocking our canoe.This is where we put in…Beautiful river…mellow..we paddle up river …A bit of a wind made it slow going in a few places…But all in all it is a very easy paddle…With beautiful scenes…I was in the front of the canoe…

We passed all kinds of wildlife…Great EgretCommon Moorhen A tour boat passes us…A Great Blue Heron fishes…I love the cypress knees….And the patches of green weed…Double~crested CormorantLook at the hairdoo…hee hee..Beautiful blue eyes..

We arrive at the spring area…A theme park is at the beginning of the spring

Silver Springs Theme park

They have glass bottom boat tours…To view the crystal clear waters of the springClear Blue….

The Silver River runs through the center of this 5,000-acre Theme park. The spring head is still run by the private company “Silver Springs Nature Theme Park” but the rest of the entire 5 1/2 mile spring run is completely pristine and undeveloped.

 

Silver Springs is the site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world, producing nearly 550 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily

Looks like a great place for a swim…though , not allowed.We leave the springs and head back to the State park…On the way back I spotted  a Rhesus monkey on the fence…and we looked around and saw around fifteen…three babies playing..

There is also a colony of non-native Rhesus Macaques which were introduced to the park in early 1938 by a tour boat operator, known locally as “Colonel Tooey,” to enhance his “Jungle Cruise” ride. A local legend that they are the descendants of monkeys used to enhance the scenery for the Tarzan movies that were shot in the area in the 1930s is not true. Via Wikipedia

Monkey being preened….

Iris flowering in large masses on the sides of the river…Our route back to the park~all downstream..an easy float…Pied-billed GrebeI thought this looked like a birds body….White IbisLittle Blue Heron

Entering the State Park..Reflections…Turtles……….Dinosaur…Gnarly…Its after noon and we see more people on the river…

We had the first part of the trip pretty much to ourselves…Well, except for a gator or two..

And Birds..And..turtles…And an occasional visitor on the boat…I think this may be Cardinal flower…Iris and wood sculptures…The ride is almost over…It has been a delightful three hours..I highly recommend this trip…Easy…beautiful…and full of wildlife..After our canoe ride ..we took a short walk…

Down the swamp trail…Thru the woods..Past mushrooms..Singing Towhees..Turtles…

Thru the swamp…To the River…And back …..

A super day at Silver River State Park

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Friday Feathers~Common Moorhen

Howdee all,

Common Moorhen..

The Common Moorhen has long toes that makes it possible to walk on soft mud and floating vegetation. The toes have no lobes or webbing to help in swimming, but the moorhen is a good swimmer anyway. via All about Birds

One of the most common water birds I see here in Florida….Coot being the most common..Some of these photos were taken at Green Cay..Green Cay is One of my favorite places to bird when we stay in Palm beach area…I love the bright green algae and duck weed…the ability to get close to birds at Green Cay makes my point and shoot camera happy!

The Moorhen bill reminds me of Candy corn..reverse and without the white…

Quite an interesting looking bird.

What do you think?

Today…

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Goodbye~ John Prince Park~

Howdee all,

We have been here in John Prince Park, Lake Worth, Florida for two weeks now…and its time to move on.

We tried to extend our time here, but, the park is full. I called many places to try and get reservations for this busy weekend…I was able to find availability a bit further north at Jensen Beach.

I wanted to share a few videos here taken while at John Prince.

Goodbye John Prince …I will miss my morning Limpkin Wake up call..yeah, believe it or not I looked forward to that

http://www.facebook.com/v/1832535219492

The video below is from my morning walk…There is a small craft airport nearby…so toward the end of the video..that is what you hear…otherwise it is very quiet..

This next video is sunrise over the lake behind our Homey…Stay with the video to see the Common Moorhen couple.

Take Care and see you all at our next Destination.

 

Jensen Beach…if you know the area and want to recommend things to see..just leave a comment below.

Thanks!

Oh..and hot of the presses..this one is not to be missed!

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An amazing 12 year old Bird Blogger..

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Green Cay Wetlands with the Badbirdz

Howdee all,

I cant say enough about Green Cay Nature Center..

Green Cay Nature Center is the county’s newest nature center that overlooks 100 acres of constructed wetland and provides educational opportunities about this unique habitat. The wetland features 1.5 miles of elevated boardwalk featuring interpretive signs about the habitat. The Nature Center includes a lecture hall, gift shop, and live animals in an extensive exhibit room that highlights wetland attributes. Come for a visit and find that there’s something for everyone at this fantastic new facility!

I love this place! I could spend all day here…Granted its not in the wilds,it is an Oasis in a noisy sprawling developed area in Boynton Beach.

I love the Colors here..the green of the algae and Duck weed…Close up views of birds…

This particular day we met up with Angel and Mariel Abreu of Badbirz-reloaded.

Below is a bit about their website

Noel Wamer made us all “radar junkies”. Just because he’s off the official scene, doesn’t mean we can all up and quit cold-turkey. This blog is an attempt to keep the radar images coming, and to engage birders, scientists, and anyone else who is interested, in the study of migration using radar. Beginning in October 2008, Angel and Mariel Abreu joined the Badbirdz team as contributing authors, and as of Spring 2009 have become the primary authors and administrators of the site.  My other site, http://www.woodcreeper.com, tracks nocturnal migration over New Jersey, and was heavily influenced by Noel’s old website, badbirdz.com. ~David LaPuma

They could use your support..if you would like to donate to keep their website running go to this page.

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We had a wonderful time with Angel and Mariel, they are great naturalists and birders, who enjoy taking their time to study all things nature. They don’t rush around to see it all, they immerse themselves into what is happening at the moment.

I filled a 4gb card taking photos and videoSo I wont be showing them all here…Instead, I will, feature a few of the critters we saw in their own posts….

So..until then enjoy some of the highlights of the day..

Turtle stack!Moss covered Turtles…A huge Alligator…Some sort of wasp… American Coot..Common MoorhenBlue-winged TealGreen HeronSora…..we saw six of them!Tri-colored Heron

Limpkin… 

White Ibis Black-bellied Whistling Duck Blue-headed VireoPied-billed GrebePainted BuntingGlossy IbisA Lovely place…

Stay tuned for more from Green Cay!

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Space Coast Birding festival~Viera Wetlands

Howdee all,

We had a great time at the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife festival.

One of our first outings was to Viera Wetlands.

Located between the Moccasin Island Tract of the River Lakes Conservation Area and the Brevard Zoo, the wetlands are a popular site for birders, photographers, and eco-tourists.  The entire wetland system is accessible by automobile, making the site popular among those who find the rigors of hiking trails and summer temperatures daunting.  Even better, viewing the site from one’s automobile serves to screen visitors from birds and wildlife, enhancing the experience

Our alarm didn’t wake us and we missed the bus..but luckily after some scrambling around to get directions we made it to the wetlands just in time to start the Bird outing with the group.

Our group leader was the very knowledgeable and friendly Laura Erickson.

Fourth from the right..

We joined the group in the bus which took us to various spots on the loop road..

A beautiful sunrise

Tree swallows land on grasses…White IbisBirders shadows…A palm warbler…Oh..what’s this? A lovely Limpkin…

Lovely Limpkin with Laura Erickson speaking with the birders

Common Moorhen with its candy corn bill….It was a chilly morning and my fingers were cold and numb…in our rush to get ready I forgot my gloves…

Limpkin and Little Blue HeronBeautiful surroundings….for a water treatment plant..

I highly recommend birding here…Wonderfully scenic…

And great birding!Common Yellowthroat

A raft of Coot

These photos below were digiscoped by Jeff

American BitternBlue-winged TealSleeping..Sandhill CraneGreen Heron

A great morning of Birding!

More of the Space Coast Birding Festival to come….

The festival is over…Jeff and I are in Mims for a few days then we head south to Lake Worth for a few weeks..after that we haven’t decided where to go.

If anyone is interested in getting together for some birding..let me know..I am trying to get a group together…have a few birders interested already.

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