Homosassa to Myakka Lake Jan 31 to Feb 1

January 31, 2014
It was a cool overcast day as we drove to Honeymoon Island State Park which is mid-way down the west Florida coast. By the time we got to this barrier island, it was raining lightly. We headed out on a walk along the sandy beach. It started to rain harder  and I covered my telephoto lens under my raincoat. Wading birds were happily feeding along the sea shore despite the hard driving rain.Emma cut her walk short in favour of a good book and warm RV.

(75) Little Blue Heron

Ruddy Turnstone

(77) Semi-palmated Plover

(79) American Oystercatcher

Dunlin

In general it was another good travel day. We passed through Tampa Bay staying right along the coast.and continued on to Myakka Lake State Park.

The bridge over Tampa Bay from St.Petersburg to Memphis is high, long and beautiful. I would give it a high 9, long 8, and  beautiful 9  on a 10, 10 , 10 scale. Great bridges excite me; not as much as birds, but more than roller coaster rides. With a roller coaster, you have no control but are almost certain to stay on the rails. Driving over a bridge, you have almost complete control which is scary when you start looking around and admiring the view and bridge architecture. Fortunately, when the vehicle starts to drift, I have an early warning alarm.  Emma is our self-proclaimed "driving nanny" and has helped me avoid close encounters with bridge architecture with her "air horn" alerts.

Late in the day, we arrived at Myakka State Park and immediately saw an immature White Ibis at the entrance. Unfortunately, the campground was full so we engaged Magellan and found a nearby but expensive camp site for $60 a night. It was a real Florida resort campground with all the trimmings. Emma liked the pool and did 40 laps. I liked the hot tub.

(80) White Ibis - Immature

February 1
We drove back to Myakka State Park and spent the day enjoying this amazing wilderness setting. We continued to the middle of the park and booked a boat cruise for later in the day. In the meantime, we explored walking along the lake shore trails and saw lots of wildlife.

Myakka Lake

Black Vulture

This black vulture was happily esconced on a tree branch overlooking a marsh meadow. We quickly came to a weir across a small stream and saw birds and crocodiles everywhere.

(81) Red-shouldered Hawk

(82) Green Heron keeping a close eye on an Alligator

6] American Alligator basking beside the weir

(83) Anhinga

Great Blue Heron

Our boat cruise took us on a leisurely ride across Lake Myakka

Lake Myakka

Several American Alligators submerged as we approached, while others just watched us approach with their cold reptilian eyes.

As the boat cruised along the far lake shore, we saw dozens of basking Alligators as well as some 7] Feral Hogs and 86) Wild Turkeys. The Alligators did not move, but the pigs and turkeys beat a hasty retreat into the bushes.

After the boat cruise, we drove to another section of the park for a forested hike and an opportunity to do a sky walk through the tree canopy.

It was dark on the forest floor as we prepared to climb up one of the towers that supported the swinging canopy walkway.

Emma walking across the sky bridge in the tree canopy at Myakka Park

View of the tree canopy from the top of the tower.

In the golden light of approaching dusk, we slowly made our way out of this magical park.

Alligators were everywhere. You had to watch where you stepped to avoid waking one up as they basked in the setting sun.

Wood Stork

Great Egret

80) Limpkin * a lifer

It was fitting that the last bird that we saw at this magical park was a Limpkin.