Gators and cavorting Stilts on a lazy Myakka River afternoon

 If you want to see "Gators" in Florida, then visit Myakka River State Park in Sarasota.  Albeit common everywhere in the Sunshine State, they are always intriguing and photogenic.

Myakka River State Park website

 Hunted almost to extinction, the American Alligator (Alligator mississippienensis), has made an incredible recovery.  Perhaps this is a good lesson for Conservation Biologists....just leave Mother Nature alone and she will set things right.

American Alligator wiki link

 It's always a bit scary when the gators on the bank are bigger than your kayak.  They generally don't bother paddlers.....generally!

Fatal alligator attacks

 Now we have Nile Crocodiles in the Everglades!  The international exotic pet trade has got to be stopped!

Nile Crock in Florida!

 On this sunny afternoon, there were a several pairs of

Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) feeding and cavorting in the shallows.

Black-necked Stilt link

 Here's a link to Birding in Myakka River State Park

Birding in Myakka

 Here's a link to Florida's Great Birding Trail.

Florida's Great Birding Trail

What a great way to spend the afternoon in Southwest Florida.

 

Beaver at the Cable Pool, Narraguagus River, Maine

 This North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) has taken up residence in the famous Cable Pool on the Narraguagus River in Cherryfield, Maine.

Beaver wiki link

 The Cable Pool was one of the most popular fishing spots during the heyday of Atlantic Salmon fishing.  While restoration efforts are made to bring back this wonderful fish, the Cable Pool is now a park and a great place for a picnic.

Cable Pool Park from Downeast Fisheries Trail

 Beavers are the second largest rodent in North America and are famous for constructing lodges and dams.  Along the Narraguagus, the beavers build their lodges on the banks of deep pools and haven't seemed to attempt to dam the river.....yet.

Beaver facts

 The Naraguagus River and it's Cable Pool are legend for fly casters.  Here is a great video of one famous Salmon angler, Ted Williams.

Fly casting for Atlantic Salmon with Ted Williams

 You can still see these rod holders along the bank....the fishermen used to line up and wait for a turn to try their luck in the Cable Pool

 Working hard to save the noble Atlantic Salmon and it's environment is The Downeast Salmon Federation.
Downeast Salmon Federation



 Hope to see you all next spring at the Cable Pool.

American White Pelicans return to Placida Harbor, Florida

The American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) have returned to Placida Harbor, Florida for the winter.

American White Pelican link

One of America's largest birds, and much larger than the common Brown Pelican, the American Whites breed only on North America's inland prairies, but winter on the southern coast.

A great place to get a close-up view is Placida Harbor....near the Fishery Restaurant.

 

 



Fishery Restaurant

 



 

They will be here all winter, so stop by and see them....and visit the quaint little harbor with some interesting shops.

Odonata at Ollie's Pond

 Ollie's Pond, in Port Charlotte, Florida, is a popular birding spot.  It is also one my favorite spots for dragonfly photography.

 

 This 5 acre freshwater pond in SW Florida has a nice trail all around....also a parking lot and an adjoining small patch of pine forest.  Strolling with binos and camera takes about an hour around the pond.

 

 Being fresh water and shallow, the pond is covered with algae in the warmer months.  These photos were taken in early summer and later in the fall.

 

 

 

Here you can see the trail...and lots of alge over much of the water.  What a great spot in our suburban neighborhood.

 

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 Lots to See at Ollie's Pond Park.  Come on out, have a stroll, and see for yourself.