Monday, April 15, 2019

Florida Trails: 2019


I couldn't believe our luck: watching a family of river otters sneak up behind an unsuspecting couple at Rookery Swamp. I was watching through my binoculars, so I can verify that the two women never saw the otters at all - they never turned around. (my husband snapped the photo above) Which, in these gator filled parts, could be ill-advised! I may be overly cautious, but whenever I stop on the trail to take a photo, I always look around to make sure an alligator isn't right behind me. You laugh? Well, you haven't seen the big-dogs I have, only a few, short bites away. 


Eventually, we passed the family, as they frolicked in and out of the water. They were so cute! We were giving them some space, as the mother was waiting for a stray cub. (I was zoomed in)






A regal eagle and a juvenile at Fakahatchee Strand.



The swamp has eyes...


A sleeping Night Heron.


A cuddly teddy bear/wildcat. Wait a minute... 


I found the bear on the ground at Crew Trails. So, of course I stuffed him into my sack and took a few photos along the trail. Do you see him in the lower right? Eventually, I left him where I was sure that a kid would find him. 



When we exited, low and behold, we spotted the owner of the bear. (or bears, because I left mine inside)  Do you see it on the dash?


A parting shot from Rookery Swamp. We really had a great time enjoying nature this year. 

The end!

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21 comments:

DUTA said...

Wow! Great shot with the otters and the unsuspecting couple!
The otters look very cute indeed! I also like the birds on the dry tree branches. What a contrast between the lively birds and those branches!
I wish that posh green jeep was mine:)

Lowcarb team member said...

Loved all of your photographs, especially the first one.

All the best Jan

DJan said...

These are great shots, all except the gators. You can have them all to yourself. :-)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, great sightings. The otters are so cute. Adorable critters.

Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week ahead!

Betty J. Crow said...

Awesome capture of the otters. Love the night heron and the eagles.

mick said...

You are so lucky seeing the otters and the people that didn't see them! btw - I would be very wary of those alligators too although your 'beasties' don't seem to be as aggressive as crocodiles out here! Great photos.

Anonymous said...

OMG! The otters are so adorable!

Out on the prairie said...

I could watch the otters forever, lovely share

Photo Cache said...

I didn't realize otters go to land too.

Worth a Thousand Words

betty-NZ said...

Wow, this looks like such a wonderful place to gently stroll through and take in all the sights! The otters are just too cute to see, especially the temporarily worried mama!
I'm so happy that you chose to link up at My Corner of the World!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Sharon that was an amazing walk! I can’t believe your luck with those otters...(and too bad for those unaware people ...I too hope they don’t learn the hard way to be more observant). The wild lion was funny! Too cute.

Joyful said...

Fabulous wildlife photos. Seeing several seals on the pathway reminds me of seeing groups of raccoons on park pathways here.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I'm like those 2 ladies with their backs to the otters - I've never seen one in Florida alas. I had to go to California to see a sea full of them. I'm so jealous!

Little Wandering Wren said...

Yes some of us are blessed with eyes in the back of our heads! That otter family are very cute!
Wren x

Екатерина Балагурова said...

Wow! Great shots! But the last one is the best :)

Lea said...

A great series of photos! The River Otter photos are my favorites today.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Great post... so much nature to enjoy! Funny to see the otter family out on the trail! Have a great Easter weekend.

Valerie said...

What a delightful post! Cute otters but not-so-cute 'gator! Thanks for sharing your part of the world - and for dropping by my post recently. Happy Easter.

Peabea Scribbles said...

Oh so much braver than me. When son and DIL lived in Florida, they were careful too of the gators that sometimes could be seen nearby. Great fun photos of the otters and your captions. Beautiful photos.

Sandra Nachlinger said...

Great photos! I lived in South Florida for many years but never visited the area in your pictures. Clearly, I missed a beautiful place. Like you, I have a profound respect for gators and crocs. I'm new to Our World Tuesdays, and I'm looking forward to participating in the future.
My blog post features a hike in the “Issaquah Alps,” Washington State, USA.

Stewart M said...

What a great set of things to see - the otters alone would have been wonderful.

I regret to say that I have not seen a kakapo - I think you need to be shown them, rather than just find them. Although, trying to see one would be reason enough to go back to NZ!


cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne