Visiting family in Southwest Florida last week gave me some much-needed quiet time outside. There are so many special places in this part of the world…so different from the ecosystems here at home, and I love the way Florida nature feels so quiet and so loud all at once.
Want to wander in the swamp with me a little? Come on…I’ll bring the sunscreen & bug spray…
This great blue heron was wading in Myakka River State Park. I loved his reflection.
Turtles sunbathing just off the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk in the Fakahatchee Strand. Note the second one in line with his arms and legs stretched out. I think he looks like he is playing Superman…or doing yoga.
Later, we took a walk on the Naples Fishing Pier and saw this brown blob coming our way…
Can you tell what it is? How about now?
Now?
Stingrays. There must have been more than a hundred in this school. They swam right up under the pier, turning and swirling as if they were in a ballet. Or a poem,maybe. At any rate, they were magnificent.
Amazing pics! Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful photos. Are those Charlotte’s great great great great grandchildren? And I like the stingray poem!
Awesome pictures. I recognize a lot of these creatures from my backyard.
These are such cool photos, Kate! Thanks much for sharing.
Did you drive or fly? I live in North Florida on your way home if you drove, just off I-75 in the woods on a black-water river (stained with tannic acid from the roots of the trees, but clear.) We have a peaceful floating dock on the river, and a half mile trail through the woods if that is any temptation.
My son was born in Naples and I used to sit on the beach and hunt for miniature shells. Still have a big collection.
Lovely!
Lovely!
BTW, the anonymous comment was me. LJ keeps logging me out. 😛
That is so different from the Northeast, but also beautiful. I’ve never seen a school of stingrays. Your camera takes excellent photos!
Beautiful pics, Kate; those stingrays are awesome.
Thanks!
I’m not sure they’re related to Charlotte, except in spirit, but they were lovely!
I’ll bet they’re friends of yours – I loved your horseshoe crab photo today, too!
You are welcome – thanks for dropping by!
Alas, we flew and are back home in Northern NY tonight – otherwise, the dock, trail, and good company would have been a great temptation indeed!
Thank you!
Oh – don’t you hate that? I always go back and say, “No! It wasn’t Anonymous. It was ME!!” Anyway – thanks!
Thanks, Karen! I’d never seen a school of stingrays either – they were amazing the way they moved together.
Thanks, Liza! They really were amazing.
I love these pictures! You’re right, the heron’s reflection is stunning. I’m not a big fan of the spiders, but love the turtles. 🙂