Oct 4 2013

Relaxing at Wakodahatchee Wetlands……a feast for the eyes.


A couple of days ago, we took some time off from the painting and decorating at home, and spent a relaxing couple of hours at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands nature reserve, just a couple of miles up the road.

One of the first sights we came upon was a tree absolutely crowded with roosting Double-Crested Cormorants.

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It was a very warm sunny day, and this Anhinga was really amusing to watch, as it panted to keep itself cool.

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A little further along, we saw another, drying its wings in the sun.

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The White Ibis was foraging around in the reeds for snacks,

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as was the Great Egret.

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This Reddish Egret seemed to have a lot to say for himself.

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We caught a glimpse of shocking pink, and it was non other than a gorgeous Roseate Spoonbill.

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The Tri-coloured Heron was in the middle of a preening session.

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If I could do this, I could scratch my own back. What a contortionist! 🙂

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Finally, he was ready for his photo shoot.

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This pair of Mottled Ducks were just hanging out,

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whilst the Common Gallinule was having a swim party with the kids.

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The real highlight was spotting a huge Alligator, having an afternoon siesta. We trod very softly across the bridge, as we didn’t want to wake him.

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Little did he know, but only a couple of metres away, there was a fat tasty morsel just waiting to be snapped up.

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As we were nearing the end of our walk, we saw a Painted Turtle. I read up about it, and was amazed to find that these turtles have been around for 15 million years. It just goes to show that it’s possible to survive for a very long time if you have a hard shell, and can relax like this.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed our nature walk together.  Have a great weekend.

This post is in answer to Ailsa’s Travel Theme, Relaxing. To see more entries, just click on the link.

104 comments on “Relaxing at Wakodahatchee Wetlands……a feast for the eyes.”

  2. I remember the first time I saw an Anhinga with its wings spread open. I thought there was something wrong with it. All of these pix are fabulous. The turtle is precious. Nice selection for Ailsa’s challenge,
    Issy

  5. You get a lot of life out of your birds, and other critters. Those birds were really talking! Fortunately for you, the alligator was not! He was a little too close for comfort in my book! 🙂

  6. What fantastic bird captures and finds you have here. Love them ! The tricolored heron reminds me of the BBC humor youtube video “Nighttime…Daytime..Nightime…Daytime!” I’m playing a game. Do you know it?

  13. What a great collection of photos in response to the challenge! If that last photo of the turtle with it’s back legs outstretched in the sun doesn’t say relaxed, nothing does. 🙂

  14. What a tremendous group you saw at this nature preserve Sylvia! Really loved seeing all my favorites including the pink spoonie and our good friend the alligator. Good decision to not wake him. 🙂

  15. Now that’s the best relaxing ever Sylvia. I just love that shocking pink spoonbill and the water turtle is so adorable! He is so cute! Thanks for sharing hon. I truly enjoyed. 😀 *big hugs*

  19. Wow! , What a lovely wildlife serie … And you even caught a gator with your camera … I enjoy look at them like this … But i´m really glad that they don´t live here in Sweden 😉 … Maria 🙂

  20. un raggio di sole rosa ha rallegrato il grigio.verde della laguna…scatti magnifici…poi ho fatto un salto indietro..ahia, l’alligatore!!!!! meno male che era soltanto una splendida foto ha ha
    passa un buon sabato in compagnia dei tuoi uccelli da favola

    Ps impari davvero l’italiano. ben felice di farti da maestra..beh ti dirò che con questo metodo anche io sto imparando a leggere l’inglese…di scriverlo poi è altra cosa

    see you soon

    a sunbeam cheered pink grey green of the lagoon … great shots … then I took a step back …ahia, the alligator!!!!! Thank goodness it was only a splendid photo ha ha
    passes a good Saturday in the company of your fabulous birds

    Ps learn really Italian. only too happy to get you from mistress …well I’ll tell you that with this method I am learning to read English … writing it then else

  21. AD what a great series of photos !
    The Spoonbill doubly beautiful with that reflection and how relaxed is that Painted Turtle .. maybe that’s the secret to their long existence on the planet 😉

  22. Hi Ad, How lucky are you to have the reserve on your door step!!! Not sure about the gater though….he gives me the willies!! he he. Fabulous photos. Herons are one of my favourite birds. They are so fascinating and great to watch and to look at. As always my lovely friend thanks for sharing.
    Have a great weekend.
    Florence x

  25. I love the birds! Of course. But, the turtle with his feet in the air is something else. What a neat photo! Fortunately, I don’t live this close to all of these birds. I would spend my days watching the blue heron and all of the long-legged birds since they are my favorites. I enjoyed this very much, Sylvia. 🙂

  28. What a rich place that reserve is. It looks like a very nice place to be (as long as the gator is 100 meters away) 🙂 Thanks for sharing your photos – it’s like being there. 🙂

  34. You take great pictures Sylvia – I know through trial -and many errors – that its not easy to capture close ups of birds.
    Love the Indian names they use in Florida – I had fun trying to say “Wakodahatchee” very fast. (do you know what it means?)

  39. awesome series of photos…I loved the pink Roseate Spoonbill, a beauty, but the Alligator is my favorite…I always look for them in the wild when I go to Florida…I’ve only seen a few but they are magnificent creatures!

  42. Wow! what pink! it’s no wonder that heron was preparing to look good! without much worry about the alligator alright, bet that wasn’t part of the plan to tour the wetlands huh 🙂

  51. It is so nice to walk /to watch this nature experience on the screen 🙂 you captured wonderful photographs… The pink wings fascinated me and yes Mr. Aligator, he is in everywhere 🙂 Thank you dear AD, have a nice weekend, love, nia

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