Thursday, January 30, 2020

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!

62 comments:

  1. Hello Eileen!
    You have enough reasons to be thankful today!
    The big oak trees is very nice, also the Anhinga. I don't know this bird?!
    Have a nice day!

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  2. Your comment about the Federal Duck stamps reminded me that the artwork on them is gorgeous. I have a couple of them sent to me by a dear friend in Arizona. Maybe I have to drop a couple of hints to her!!

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  3. Really nice photos. Living in WI I've only seen "spanish moss" on trees like that 1 time in my life - it's fascinating! I also like the swap picture.

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    1. Thank you, the spanish moss is pretty. Enjoy your day!

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  4. Such a wonderful place for a wander. Thank you for taking me along.

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    1. Hello Marie, I appreciate the visit and comment. Enjoy your day!

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  5. Beautiful day out, shame about it raining. I love the Anhinga, a diver, brilliant Eileen.

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    1. Thanks Bob! Even with the rain, we managed to take our walk. Have a great day!

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  6. Peacocks...well I NEVER! I was looking at each photo thinking of how they look like the preserves we go to here and the birds are what we see....and then you have to bring out the Peacocks! How amazing! I've surely NEVER seen one of them on a hike! And yes, those alligators can be anywhere...they probably saw YOU! heehee! Hugs!

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    1. Hello Diane, I was not clear, the peacock were on private property on the same road as the park.
      Thanks so much for the comment. Hope your day is great!

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  7. What interesting territory! Those peacocks would be quite a surprise. That's quite the convention of turkey vultures. Wonder if they knew something you didn't?!

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    1. Hello Jeanie, the vultures were everywhere in this park. I am just glad they were not sitting on our car.
      thanks for visiting and for the comment. Hope your day is great!

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  8. this looks to be another great spot eileen!! so many beautiful creatures to see, bald eagles are always a favorite for me. and the trees and the peacocks are gorgeous!! it pays to check things out before traveling!!

    no alligators but those vultures, yikes!!!

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    1. Thanks Debbie. We do enjoy finding new parks to visit. Hope your day is great!

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  9. Beautiful photos from your visit to the park.

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  10. I have not seen some of these birds so your photos are interesting to me.

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    1. Thanks Red! I appreciate your visit! Hope you are having a great day!

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    1. Tom, thanks for visiting and for the comment. Hope your day is great!

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  12. Hello Eileen,

    Beautiful birds and trees. It's great to have so many things to be grateful for.
    Enjoy your day!

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    1. Hello Marit! Yes, i am grateful for all things nature related. Have a happy day!

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  13. Hari OM
    That parks are so precious, as you say! YAM xx

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    1. Hello Yam, yes we need our green spaces. Thanks for visiting and for the comment. Hope your day is great!

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  14. Seeing the eagles in flight would be a thrill! That looks like a wonderful place, Eileen!

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    1. It is always a treat to see the eagles. Thanks for visiting and for the comment. Hope your day is great!

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  15. Oh Eileen! These are beautiful shots of a very peaceful and quite place! Years ago, we still have swamps and fields here in the Philippines but now, most of them were turned into subdivisions :( I miss walking on those beautiful tree lined meadows!

    Stevenson

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    1. Thanks for the comment. Have a great day and weekend!

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  16. Vultures are so creepy and goofy acting. Love the Anhinga and the mossy oak!
    Have a great day!

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    1. The vultures are strange looking! Thanks for the comment. Have a great day and weekend!

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    1. Hello Margaret, thanks for the comment. Have a great day and weekend!

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    1. Thanks for the comment. Have a great day and weekend!

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  19. I'm thankful that you share your photos from your walk abouts!

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  20. Eileen, you are very brave walking about and checking that there were no alligators! It must have been quite an enjoyable day, you saw a variety of species.

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  21. I love them all! You have amazing travels. cheers

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  22. Es un placer pasar por su blog Saludos

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  23. Oh, my goodness! This is one of my favorite posts/places I have seen. I am not sure what it is. But I do love a swampy area...and I love all that you are seeing!

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  24. It's the Spanish moss that draws my attention. If I've seen it all, it was on the one trip into the South when I was four, so I don't remember.

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  25. Like you I am very thankful for our National and State Parks, so very important to our health and well being. I have not heard of this refuge so thanks for spreading the news! Rain on the way here so get the umbrella ready!

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  26. What a beautiful and interesting place to go walking!!

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  27. Amazing place. Thanks for the post and pics, Awesome.
    Happy Weekend.

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  28. Enjoyed your photos!
    Wildlife Refuges are wonderful places!

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  29. You made the most of your outing. I love Anhinga, they are so prehistoric looking. I was at a State Refuge on the Texas gulf coast. I was talking to a friend of mine when one of the logs that was about 10 feet away from me suddenly ran and jumped into the water!! Then I noticed the other nearby alligators. Yep I started being a little bit more aware of them.

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  30. Hello Eileen,
    Beautiful series of photos of your walk, it is also a beautiful area.
    All photos are perfectly sharp, my compliments.
    Best regards, Irma

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  31. Hi Eileen!!!... Beautiful place and nice shots.. Have a great weekend...

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  32. Nice pictures. I like the Anhinga. Also, agree that turkey vultures are better than a gator - lol.

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  33. I love the look of this place Eileen, thank you so much for sharing it. Never seen so many peacocks together like that. Great photos of everything!

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  34. Me ha gustado el paseo Eileen.

    El problema que tenía con los comentarios como vino se fue. Espero que no vuelva.
    Te deseo un buen fin de semana.
    Un abrazo.

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  35. Happy day to you! I have enjoyed your posts so much! This one has me enamored of the lone tree in the field. He looks so strong and regal! Thank you!

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  36. E cada vez mais, estes Parques e Reservas Naturais, representam o último refúgio para tantas espécies!...
    Magnifica reportagem fotográfica sobre o local! Adorei todas as fotos, tendo ficado especialmente encantada, com a árvore sob o efeito surpreendente do musgo!
    Finalmente passando por aqui de novo, neste espaço dedicado à natureza, que muito aprecio, depois de uma longa ausência!...
    Têm sido dois anos marcados, por sucessivos problemas de saúde, de uma pessoa próxima, pelo que o meu tempo tem ficado muito comprometido... e nem sempre tem dado para conseguir acompanhar todos os blogues que gostaria... felizmente por agora, estando numa fase bem menos problemática... estou voltando aos cantinhos que mais aprecio!...
    Beijinhos! Feliz fim de semana, Eileen!
    Ana

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  37. Wonderful refuge and gorgeous photos of the habitat and critters ~ divine ^_^

    Happy Moments to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  38. Nice that you didn't have to worry about gators! lol Yikes! Thanks for linking up, Eileen.

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  39. Wow, an amazing and wonderful place to visit and enjoy! I worry about the future of migratory birds with the current administrations rolling back regulations that have protected their habitats etc., for years.

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  40. looks like a nicely planned bird sanctuary

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  41. Such beautiful birds and the oak trees with Spanish moss are amazing.

    All the best Jan

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Have a happy day, Eileen

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