It’s a beautiful morning, not humid and not too hot. A rare treat for mid October. Dylan and I jump into the car and head towards the Taylor Park to walk our newly discovered nature trail. We invite you to come along.
The shadows are still long when we start our walk. Dylan is on a short leash. The trail goes right next to the water so all sniffing is done strictly on the forest side of the trail…for a good reason. While we haven’t seen any alligators on our previous visits, I know they are lurking in the water, like in most fresh water lakes in Florida. This park is also favored by many birds. And right away we spot one of them, an Anhinga with her wings spread to dry after the morning dive.
The next one we see has selected a good spot to scout for the gators…and makes us smile.
And the third one does double duty. Dries her wings while spying on gators down below.
I’m keeping my eyes trained on the water too, but no luck so far. All I see is water sprinkled with flowers and Moorhens.
And an Osprey on a reconnaissance flight over the lake.
On the forest side of the trail, I spot two woodpeckers, a Red-bellied Woodpecker and Pileated woodpecker but miss the latter. Dylan decides it is time for a bathroom break. I get a big splash of red in the picture as the large woodpecker flies away.
Next we spot a Little Blue Heron and a Limpkin. I am delighted because Limpkins do not often come to the salt marsh.
Further, in the shadow of the bridge over the lake, we see a Green Heron in the water. He seems to consider his options for a morning meal while exhibiting good situational awareness.
But close to him a Tri-colored Heron is only aware of a potential breakfast bite in the water below. He has no worries about becoming a breakfast himself.
By this time the sun has climbed higher. After stopping for some water we decide to turn around and walk back seeking some shade in the forest.
We reach a canoe launch pad and hear loud screams. We look towards the lake and spot three White Ibis lining up for their morning drink. A Starbucks line with unexpected hassles.
A gator is waiting for an opportunity to strike.
These birds quickly leave their watering hole, but an Anhinga stays close by right on the side of the launch pad. Perhaps he has concluded the gator cannot jump.
The last bird we hear and then spot is a male Red-winged Blackbird hanging out in the reeds.
Thanks for walking with us, the birds and the gators. Have a great weekend and week ahead.
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
A most enjoyable walk, dear Helen! What lovely birds of all kinds! Yes…the gator in it’s habitat is lovely in its own way. Always good to keep a eye out for them. I certainly do the same here! 🌞
This park is very beautiful with lots of different bird species. Dylan loves to meet dogs there 🙂 And I like to keep an eye out for the gators. Thanks for coming along, Carrie.
Wonderful photographs of all those birds with names and pertinent observations. Glad you spotted an alligator at a safe distance.
Thank you Susan. Glad you enjoyed the walk.
Your wildlife photos are outstanding. They give an excellent impression of the beautiful area you live in.
Thank you, Peter. Our area is, indeed very beautiful…and it was the nature that drew us here permanently about eight years ago.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures and commentary on one of our favorite places, Taylor Park.💕 I really enjoyed looking at the birds through the eyes of your camera. I will now see & appreciate these birds more as Eli and I walk around the trails. 😍
Glad you liked the pictures, Kathy! It is a wonderful place to walk…I’m now training my eyes to spot the different woodpeckers and, of course, the gators 🙂
Beautiful trail, thank you for taking us along. 🙂
Thanks for coming along, Maverick! I have a feeling that there will be many more walks in that park…
Glad you got to SEE your gator . . . and some beautiful birds.
Like you, we took advantage of the lower humidity yesterday for a long walk on the beach. Today, we only went 1/2 as far because the humidity and temps started climbing. Still some lingering red tide. Worse today than yesterday.
Spotting the gators is a challenge but I’m getting better with practice 🙂 We also have some lingering red tide after Hurricane Michael passed, hoping for it to clear soon!!!
Now this was a fun walk. Lots of birds and a gator! 🙂
Thanks Jackie! That park is so beautiful and I have a feeling there will be more walks …need to spot more woodpeckers and gators 🙂
What a beautiful park and wildlife, even gators. What a nice place to take a walk even if you do have to be aware of the gators there. Thank you for the invite to go along with you sweet Tiny. We are thankful you knew gators are there and you kept sweet Dylan on a short leash. Amazing photos of that beautiful place and wildlife. Hugs for you and nose kisses for Dylan from us.
Keeping Dylan on the forest side of the trail is fairly easy because all the interesting sniffing is there 🙂 The gators rarely come on land other than during their nesting season, which is in the summer….and we kept away at that time. I love the wildlife there and the park itself is very beautiful. Thank you for coming along Mags and many hugs from both of us ❤
I love coming along with you and Dylan. Thank you for always sharing such wonderful words and photos. Hugs for you both from us.
Lovely tour and photos Helen. It reminds me of the areas I’ve explored in FL. I love the different plants, trees, flowers, birds and yes gators. I must admit to being both fascinated and nervous around the gators.
I love walking in this park…and so does Dylan. He meets many other dogs there and lots of interesting sniffing going on. He always behaves well with the birds…but I don’t want to find out how he behaves with gators 🙂 Thanks for coming along, my friend.
Happy Trails. 🙂
They look fierce!
Wait until you see fierce…coming up 🙂
WOW!!
Thank you kind friend!
Each image brought a feeling of joy.
That is how I feel walking there, full of joy seeing the nature so pure and undisturbed/protected. Thank you Sally.
As always, a beautiful share, Helen. Thank you. The images you capture are stunning! Love the Starbucks reference. 😉
Thanks Eric! So nice to ‘see’ you here 🙂
What a magnificent trail, and magic photos as ever, especially of the gators. But oh no – to the dreaded water hyacinth that you’ve so beautifully captured.
Luckily the water hyacinth only resides in a small corner of the lake, I hope it will not spread more. Thank you for coming to walk with us in this beautiful park, Tish.
Such a beautiful area with wonderful wildllife. So glad I know a talented photographer who shares these great views!
Thank you Cyndi for coming along on this walk and for your kind comment. I trust everything is good with you & yours.
Thank your u for sharing these wonderful photos. Each one is a winner and I have poured over them several times.
miriam
I am happy you enjoyed the photos from this park, Miriam. Nature provides the best ‘paintings’.
Thanks go to you and Dylan for taking us on such a lovely walk.
I am glad you come along on this walk, Tom. We see many pedalers on the roads around the park too.
How nice to see a good variety of birds. They all look fantastic! Great shots! 🙂
This park is full of birds! I still want to spot many of the smaller ones, like all the different woodpeckers…the Pileate Woodpecker was very handsome so I’m hoping to get some pictures of it as well. Thank you my friend 🙂
What an exciting nature trail! I’m glad you were a safe distance from the gators. Wishing you a great week ahead 🙂
Thank you dear Takami! We are keeping an eye on the gators, but usually they only come on land during their nesting season, which is in the summer. Hugs from me and Dylan ❤
Great images, Helen; and the gator adds another hue, if not a dangerous one!
We don’t have gators here in Australia; though, we do have crocodiles. Unfortunately, they take quite a few unsuspecting dogs, and sometimes their owners… Help! That was the first thing I thought of when I saw your title. Do be careful. I know you will.. 🙂
xoxoxo
It has happened here in Florida too, a few unsuspecting dogs have been taken by gators, but we keep an eye on them…and we don’t go to this park in the middle of the summer when they have their nests near or on the land. Dylan and I both love to go there now that it is getting cooler, lots of other dogs to greet and birds to ‘shoot’ 🙂 XXX
I’m impressed with your knowledge of birds and casualness at walking so close to where the gators are. I don’t even want to be in the same state with them though I realize they have been here a for eons. 😉 Great photos.
Yes, the gators belong in Florida lakes. We don’t have them here on our barrier island because all the water is salty, so we like to go to the mainland to see them 🙂 But we are careful just in case one has climbed on land, which usually happens only in their summer nesting season. Thanks for coming along!
A most enjoyable walk Tiny, a bit like us up far north Queensland with the crocs, you just have to have your eyes out all the time to spot them as they can move very fast on land and in water. Lovely pics of water birds, looks like a great place to walk. Have a wonderful week!
It is a great place to walk, nature is so beautiful with abundant bird life. I still have so many smaller birds to spot and take pictures of. We do not have gators here on the barrier island, but this park is on the main land. We are keeping a tight watch on them 🙂 Thanks you my friend for coming along!
Absolutely Beautiful!
Thank you for coming along!
Where is this place ?
This is a park on the mainland, in Largo, FL
fantastic capture and post !!! 🙂
Thank you Leyla 🙂
What a gorgeous place Taylor Park is. I have always been fascinated by the landscape in and around the water ways. You photos draw me into this place.
I am so drawn to this place too! I feel that I can breathe in its natural beauty…the water, the forest and the abundant wildlife.
What a lovely new walk. Do keep an eye out for those gators!
We do keep an eye …and the camera on the gators 🙂 Thanks for coming along on this walk Sue.
What a great walk Helen! A bit scary with mr Alligator around though. Glad you kept your eyes peeled 👀
Thank you, Val! I didn’t see any gators there on our first walks, but now when we go I will always spot one or two. Luckily they do not come to land much, other than in the middle of the summer when they nest…and at that time we will stay away 🙂
That one photo…do not feed or MOLEST the gators?! MOLEST THE GATORS?!?! I do not know if that is the most deviant thing I have ever heard of, or the most insane route to the tallest tale that could exist! 🙂
I had to look up the word molest, since that sign left me puzzled. One definition is harass or pester. So, who in their right mind would think of harassing a gator? Apart from just being abusive, one would really think of pestering a gator, especially in their own territory? People can be “interesting”…
What a delightful walk, Helen. Thanks for taking us with you and Dylan through the tropical wetlands. When you presented the first two photos all I could think of was alligators lurking, I was glad Dylan was on a short leash. Such a treat to find a limpkin and the white ibis and herons, all so elegant and beautiful. Great photo with the 3 white ibis and gator. Gorgeous anhingas too.
Helen, thank you so much for inviting us along! 😀 What a relaxing walk with an incredible array of birds. They photos of them are stunning, I’m smiling at the Anhinga who is multitasking. The ibis are so startlingly white they almost seem unreal. Now, I’m wondering how safe are these birds from those gators? Living and feeding in such close proximity! A beautiful post and a treat for the heart and soul! xx
AMAZING BUT i4M NOT FAN OF THE ALLIGATOR
What a great new walking trail for you and Dylan! The captures are awesome…and the gator!!! Ah!
Sending warm wishes to you, Helen. Hope your Thanksgiving is filled with light and love 💜