Friday, April 19, 2013

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Part 1

I am linking up with  Green Day and Camera Critters and I'd-Rather-B-Birdin.

My prayers go out to the victims and people of both Boston and West, Texas. 

 During our Florida vacation we visited the Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary twice. And I have way too many photos to sort thru some good and some to be deleted.  Corkscrew is an awesome place to visit, I rate it close to my visit to the famous Magee Marsh. The birds are awesome and the property includes a 2.25 mile boardwalk and it is said to have the largest remaining stand of Bald Cypress forest in North America.


The Redbellied Woodpecker, one of the many Corkscrew Swamp birds.



Above is the lush habitat that makes up some of Corkscrew Swamp.


The juvenile White Ibis were seen in various spots of the Corkscrew Swamp. The juvies have some brown and turn all white as adults.


The Wood Storks were a life bird for me, I think they are awesome looking birds.


The Roseate Spoonbill is another awesome bird. Their pink color is gorgeous and the spoon shaped bill is cool.  I was happy to see these birds up close, my first sighting was from a far distance in Costa Rica.



We saw more than birds, there were quite a few alligators there too. This one was about a foot long, just a baby.

I hope you enjoyed my tour of Corkscrew Swamp, birds and critter. Thanks for stopping by and I always appreciate your comments.
To see more beautiful photos and cute critters please visit:   Green Day and Camera Critters and I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host Fiona of Green Day, Misty Dawn of Camera Critters and to Anni of I'd Rather-B-birdin.

Have a safe and happy weekend.

54 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i do like how lush it is. nice boardwalks, too.

i had the pleasure of having one wood stork stop here one winter. it is the most prehistoric looking bird i've ever seen. so cool!

Carole M. said...

...what a fabulous outing that was Eileen; I'd have loved it! The name is special too. I loved the woodpecker shot but also would love to see those roseate spoonbills up close like you did; their colour is amazing

Lynne said...

First photo is fabulous . . . looks like the setting was filled with many things to see . . .

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, i love the pink on the one bird. that is awesome coloring.

looks like it was a fresh rain there. nice shots, my friend. ( :

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I can certainly understand why you went back to Corkscrew Swamp the 2nd time... Awesome place!!! Love seeing the Wood Storks and the Ibises.... Awesome!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Montanagirl said...

Wow! Your photos are just wonderful! This would be on my bucket list of things to do for sure! Love your photography.

DeniseinVA said...

Brilliant photos Eileen!!!! What a place!

HappyK said...

Great photos and I'd love to be walking on that wooden bridge!!

Gail Dixon said...

I love those preserves with a boardwalk. This looks like a great place for birding. Will be putting this on my list! The dewy plants framing the woodpecker is so nice. Enjoyed all your images, even the baby gator.

Debbie said...

What a wonderful vacation, right up my "alley"...or maybe it was a crocodile!!

It looks like you got pretty close to all this amazing wildlife!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos, next time I get to Fl I am going to make a point of going to a nature area!

Zenserly said...

I would love to see Roseate Spoonbill in person!! their unique pinkish color and spoon shaped beak is a treasure! oh afraid of the alligator haha, thank you for taking me to another nature fun-filled adventure virtually :)

Stewart M said...

Very nice set of birds - and of course the woodpecker is my favourite.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Sue said...

Looks like a terrific place-thanks for sharing!

DIMI said...

Hallo Eileen!!You visit a very beautiful place!!What a lovely bird that Woodpecker is!!And all the other birds too! You where lucky seeing an aligator!!Wow!!Thank you for sharing!Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Dimi..

diane b said...

The big birds are awesome especially the spoonbill.

Betty Manousos said...

so much beauty in here, dear eileen!
such beautiful birds.

love your shots!

have a great weekend~

rainfield61 said...

You received such a good present from the Nature.

Fantastic.

Richard Pegler said...

What an amazing place, and beautifully photographed!

Malyss said...

I'm impressed by those red feathers in your 1st pic! That place is wonderful, so rich in animal and plants to observe!
I wish you a nice week-end!

Nancy said...

That alligator is freaking me out! You are one brave photographer Eileen! :)

Emilie's daughter said...

I enjoyed the trip very much! Fantastic photos! Christa

Beth said...

My goodness, Eileen, you have a real knack for capturing wildlife in your photos. These are such beautiful images.

Brian King said...

That's awesome! I'd have a blast at that place! Many of the birds in your photos would be lifers for me. Fantastic shots!

Suzan said...

Oh Eileen,
What a fun bird day for you!! They are beautiful!! Love the spoonbill. In florida, we find our bird rookeries over water with alligators below to protect the nests from raccoons and such. Of course the gators prize are the chicks who wander too far from their nest! Where there's a foot long gator - there's a 10 foot gator!!

Rajesh said...

Beautiful birds, great variety.

Lea said...

Looks like a very interesting place to visit. You got some great bird photos!
Have a wonderful week-end!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Daniela Augustka said...

Thank you for your visit and comment on my blog. Your pictures are very beautiful, but first photo of a woodpecker is the most beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos, Eileen, I really like the Wood Stork photograph!

Al said...

That looks awesome but very wet!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Fabulous photos of beautiful birds! They are all very unique looking birds.

Karen said...

What a great place for birders! Fabulous shots! I love that spoonbill.

George said...

Corkscrew Swamp definitely looks like a fabulous place to visit. The boardwalk certainly provides great views of both the birds and the swamp itself. I think the Roseate Spoonbill is a very cool-looking bird.

Tammy said...

So many wonderful shots, Eileen! The scenery looks beautiful there in addition to the great variety of birds!

Red Nomad OZ said...

Of course the RED bird is always going to be my favourite, but the others are all so exotic!! FABULOUS place to go - but it does look a little WET!

Lovable Derek said...

I remember this place. You've captured the feel of it pretty much perfectly. Thanks for your lovely photos and post.

Anonymous said...

What fabulous shots! Love that alligator.

Phil Slade said...

A beautiful place to visit Eileen, and it's full of birds too. Love the spoonbill shots and the Red-bellied Woodpecker too. I really must try and get to Florida soon it looks wonderful.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful place! I love the woodpecker and the baby alligator.

Bob Bushell said...

Corkscrew swamp looks like it's not too be missed, well photographed Eileen.

Ailime said...

Olá Eileen, também oro consigo pelas vítimas de Boston! E me alegro com essa natureza maravilhosa que vai fotografando por ái! As aves são belíssimas, mas o jacaré me arrepia;))!!! Feliz domingo. Beijinhos Ailime

Andrea said...

You are so privileged to see a biodiversity park like that, i almost envy those animals for having a lovely sanctuary. And your photos are so beautiful, haven't seen a spoonbill in person.

vivi ka said...

I loved your tour of Corkscrew Swamp, birds and critter. Great shots! And the Baby alligator? Wow!!
Very beautiful!!
Have a nice day!!

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Wonderful photos and a fantastic atmosphere. I love your new header and your new design ! Great ! Best regards, Synnöve

Lina Gustina said...

Awesome place!
Enjoying your shots as always!
Thanks for dropping by :)

Magia da Inês said...

Todas as fotos são lindas.
A última é impressionante.

♪♫ Boa semana!
ღ° Beijinhos do Brasil ღ
¸.•°♡♡⊱彡

i stora drag said...

What an exciting place to explore!
Lovely photos of all the birds, specially I like the baby Ibis and the pink Spoonbill!
Greetings Pia

MILEX said...

seriously love it.

Anni said...

Okay, I'd be doin' the quick step across the wet boardwalk near the 'gator!!!

But your bird images this week are superb Eileen.

Maria said...

This one I never visited. You went at the right time!

NatureFootstep said...

what a wonderful place to visit. And all those gorgeous birds. I envy you. :)

Pia said...

I would love to walk down this boardwalk ........... great place to take photos!
And great photos!

Jenn Jilks said...

I love the birds, but the alligator... yikes.
Cheers from Cottage Country!

Rohrerbot said...

Would love to visit this place someday. Very cool birds!

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