Walking with the Birds | The Wonders of Nature at Rookery Bay!
Oh what a perfect day for a walk!
Our destination, Rookey Bay! A small portion of the Southwest Florida conservation area, Rookery Bay is home to one of the world’s largest Mangrove estuarine systems. With over 110,000 acres of open water, bays, and lagoons it’s quite a place to visit. From the moment we stepped out of the car we were enthralled!
So glad to meet you…
exclaimed the Gopher Tortoise! These burrowing tortoises are endangered! Did you know their burrows can be 40 feet long and house fellow endangered creatures like the Indigo Snake and Gopher frog?
Briggs Boardwalk…
was a wonderful way to view the unique and diverse habitats within the Mangrove system. Traveling along a broad planked raised boardwalk we found ourselves immersed in a very special place.
Our first glimpse of a fringe Marsh community…
a wetland area dominated by herbaceous vegetation. See the beautiful sawgrass, a perfect home for frogs, turtles and snakes.
Oh look! The White Peacock Butterfly pausing for a pose!
The Snags!
When I first saw these trees I wondered why they were still standing. Surly they would want to keep the forests clear to prevent fires. But no! Known as snags, these standings of trees are a necessary part of the ecosystem. As the trees decompose they become home to many species of birds and insects. In fact I spotted a Woodpecker while I visited. I could hear him but I couldn’t get a close up! Too bad I didn’t have my long range lens with me!
Wow, Epiphytes!
Looks like something from outer space right? Their name means “air plant” and that’s just what they are!
Resting on tree branches…
they obtain all of their nutritional needs from the environment. I love these cute plants!
The views were amazing!
Imagine the wildlife finding refuge out there!
Leaving the beautiful pine forests…
we marveled the fresh blue skies and green landscape, so thankful for those dedicated to the Southwestern Florida Conservancy. They work tirelessly to preserve and conserve the endangered mangroves, estuaries, and wildlife native to the area. Truly a glimpse of paradise!
Much to our surprise…
nature wasn’t finished yet! Mr. Rhinoceros Beetle came to say goodbye! No worries, he's harmless. Those horns are pretty handyfending off other males during mating season. Nice to meet you!
What a lovely walk, in fact a perfect @wednesdaywalk! A big thanks to my friend @tattoodjay!
He has chosen Wednesday as the perfect day to get outdoors and take a moment to enjoy nature. Share your walk with us, we would love to hear all about it.
Thanks for joining us at Rookery Bay!
And as always, blessings to you all!
What a wonderful #WednesdayWalk
Thank you @njord, so glad you stopped by! :)
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That was a lovely walk indeed @birdsinparadise! Ain't it lovely to have more time to do these kinds of things more often!
Thank you @lizelle, so glad you enjoyed it. Actually to be honest, I'm still adjusting to "free-time" I guess having worked full time all of my life, living by my own clock is quite an adjustment, lol I do cherish it, we are truly blessed indeed. You too will be doing this more and more before you know it! :)
That was a wonderful walk!! Thank you and I have to admit, I have seen the rhino beetle before, but, it always makes me look twice or three times.
That is such an awesome way of viewing nature! Thank you so much for sharing!
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Thank you @dswigle, that beetle will cause you to do a double take, lol Love their shiny armor, they seem so tough and fearless don't they? We do enjoy nature, its a big part of why we live here:)
Mother Water in all Her Glory! Rich, abundant, diverse and teeming with life. You post struck me as a national geographic type of experience - thoroughly enjoyed to marvel alongside you from afar.
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You are so kind @artemislives, thank you :) I know you have a fabulous natural backdrop where you live too, we're both pretty blessed. All it takes is a brief stroll and nature shows up! Love, love it! Like your praying mantis experience with the earthquake, amazing :)
Wow that’s a place I would love to visit but in a way I have now with this post I never knew turtles could burrow that long
Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :)
Thank you @tattoodjay :) These turtles are facinating, there were several around us and they were such a joy to watch.. Thank you for Wednesday walk! Love what you're doing!
Thats cool I haven't seen many turtles and not paid attention, I must show more interest in them
it is my pleasure hosting Wednesday Walk and seeing posts from all around the world ;)
Beautiful! Those mangroves remembered me my childhood, love the butterfly also!😊
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Thank you!! I find the mangroves facinating, they're so resilient and provide such protection to the ecosystem. Glad you enjoyed @jenina619!
Such a lovely #WednesdayWalk! Amazing pictures, @birdsinparadise. That rhinoceros beetle is really something else. (Shiver!)
lol the beetle caught me off guard, their shiny armor is quite unique. Trudging through the sand and gravel, they look so tough don't they? So glad you enjoyed, thank you @jayna :)
Thanks for share your Wednesday memories
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Thank you @shuvo35, so glad you stopped by :) Love the Wednesday walks!
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