Happy Thankful Thursday

 Happy Thankful Thursday!

I have always tried to visit any National Wildlife Refuge located in an area we are visiting. While in Florida I found the Lake Woodruff NWR located in DeLeon Springs Florida. This refuge was established in 1964 as a migratory bird refuge, one of many refuges purchased through the Federal Duck Stamp program.  The refuge contains various habitats of marshes, swamps, creeks, hammocks and uplands. Over 230 species of birds can be found  in the refuge seasonally. 

The trail map showing miles of man made dikes that form the pools attracting all kinds of birds. There was a Bald Eagle nest, which was seen not far from the parking lot. We saw 2 Bald Eagles in flight, an Osprey, Northern Harrier, Turkey Vultures, American Coots. I believe a Chipping Sparrow or could it be a Swamp Sparrow? The last photo of the tower. 

Habitats at the refuge include the Cypress Swamp land.

 I am pretty sure these white flowers are the Swamp lilies, found in marsh land, swamps and wet hammocks.

 Trail was blocked for awhile with these Turkey Vultures, I guess they are better than having an alligator laying across the trail. 

Luckily for us the rain stopped long enough for us to hike out to the tower.

 I could hear the Sandhill Cranes hear somewhere, I just could not find them.  Previous winters there were a pair of Whooping Cranes established on this refuge.

 A cloudy view from the tower, you can see the creek or part of the Lake Woodruff and the man-made dikes.

There were plenty of American Coots seen at the refuge.

One thing about a cloudy day, the alligators were not out sunning themselves. I still looked at the grasses along the trail to make sure a gator was not laying there waiting for us.  I think we walked close to 3 miles round trip at this refuge.

 I loved these big oak trees with the spanish moss. 

 Anhinga was hanging on top of a pole.

After driving out of the national wildlife refuge, there was a large group of Peacocks walking around a private yard.  There must have been 20 or more peacocks. They were on the grass, the driveway and the porch.

I am thankful for the federal park land for all of us to use, hopefully this park land will always remain unspoiled park land for generations to come.

I am thankful for the National Park Foundation, they help protect our parks for next generations.  

I am thankful for the Friends of Wildlife Refuge,  they spend their time to helping out at the wildlife refuges. 

I am thankful for the National Park Tract and Land Preservation.They help to conserve land and wildlife habitat bordering or creating new national park land.

I am always thankful for your visit and comments.
Live simple and be happy!  😊




Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday




Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!