Thursday, April 6, 2017

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Hello,

I am sharing another great Florida park called Sweetwater Wetlands Park near Gainesville Florida. Sweetwater is considered a thriving habitat of 125 acres of wetlands and ponds. We met a Florida resident and birder at the Paynes Prairie Park earlier in the day and he told us that Sweetwater was a great place for seeing birds. Thankfully our Garmin GPS and my Iphone were able to take us there.

At Sweetwater Wetlands there are 3.5 miles of gravel trails and boardwalks. It was a pretty day for a walk on the trails and a lovely sky.


A Sora, a small secretive rail that hangs out in the marshes. It has a triangle body shape with a small yellow bill.


Black-bellied Whistling ducks with some Cormorants in the background.


This shot below looks better enlarged, there is a Belted Kingfisher perched on a stick in the background, a Great Blue Heron, two Wood Storks and a Limpkin far lower right.


Cormorant with fish.


A pretty blue sky with the white puffy clouds.


I believe these are two Savannah Sparrows below. These sparrows have a little telltale yellow colors near their eyes.


A Wood Stork showing off it's pretty wings.



I am sharing two videos, one with a large group of Whistling Ducks and Cormorants. the second video was of an alligator crossing the trail.





Be thankful for each day, because not everyone gets to see another one. 


For my thankful list today:
I am thankful for my Garmin GPS
I am thankful for friendly and nice people we meet on our outings.
I am thankful for blue skies and puffy white clouds.

Thank you for your visit and comments on my post. Enjoy your day and the weekend ahead!

Thanks to Michelle for the meme Thankful Thursday
I am also linking up to Skywatch Friday, I hope to see you there.
Thank you to Sylvia, Yogi and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday.

124 comments:

  1. What pretty pictures, Eileen. Hope you have a nice day.

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  2. Guess the gator has as much right to walk there as anyone else. Lovely birds today, beautiful feather colourings.

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    1. Thank you, Nancy! I always appreciate your visits and comments. Have a happy day!

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  3. Hello,

    GPS and mobilephones makes it easier to find places. Beautiful birds! I'm not fond of alligators, but I have to watch your video of it. Amazing to be so close!

    Happy Thursday, and enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you, so glad you visited and for the nice comment. Have a happy day!

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  4. Hari OM
    So much to admire in these shots today Eileen! Happy midweek to you! YAM xx

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  5. I don't know how YOU or those whistling ducks relax at all with an alligator running around!
    :D

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    1. LOL, I kept my eyes on the gators. Thanks for the visits and comments. Enjoy your day!

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  6. Hello Eileen,
    Nice pictures and funny to see the special ducks on shot 3.
    And impressive to see that crossing alligator. Be careful.

    Hugs, Marco

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

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  7. Lindo parque e belas fotos, adorei os céus,rs...bjs, tudo de bom, chica

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    1. Thanks, Chica! I loved the skies too. Have a happy day!

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  8. Hi there Eileen, wow you've packed in some awesome photos! The one of the heron catching its fish dinner is wonderful... great spotting :D)
    Also, the Wood Stork showing off its wings is marvellous.
    Appreciate you including the videos too. Awesome seeing the alligator like that. Cheers now!

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    1. Hello Sue, thanks so much for your visit and nice comment. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!

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  9. Gostei bastante das fotografias bem como dos filmes.
    Um abraço e continuação de boa semana.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    Livros-Autografados

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  10. Liked seeing the Florida Whistlers . . .
    Used to enjoy them from Texas . . .
    Sauentering alligator looked harmless,
    not sure if I would be brave enough to get that close!
    Enjoyed your pics and videos Eileen . . .

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    1. Hi Lynne, thank for the comment. I miss Tex's Whistling Duck post. Every time I saw one they reminded me of her. Enjoy your day!

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    1. Thanks, Tom! I appreciate your comments. Enjoy your day!

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  12. Hello, Beautiful post.
    Loved the pics and video.
    Greetings.

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    1. Hello, thanks so much for the nice comment. Have a great day!

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  13. I enjoyed seeing the great selection of birds from your visit but I really loved those puffy clouds in the blue skies!
    Have a lovely day!

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    1. Hello Christine, it was a pretty sky day! Thanks for the visit and comment. Enjoy your day!

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  14. I remember that Soras were fairly easy to see in Florida, but once they arrive here to breed it is another story entirely!

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    1. David, thanks for the visit and comment! Happy Birding!

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  15. Bless the wetlands and YOU, E!

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  16. another "jackpot" spot - that cormorant scored big too!! i am just amazed at how many of the large birds are so easy to photograph!!!

    i enjoyed the video's also, i might be a little frightened by the gator but would not pass on the opportunity to capture it!!!

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    1. Hi Debbie, thanks so much for the comment and visit. They are always appreciated! Have a happy day!

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  17. Zeer mooie natuur leven vol. De Lucht Zo Blauw, is prachtig. Goede Verscheidenheid. Alle Kostbare foto's. Dankbaar ben ik dat u Delen. Thanks Eileen.
    Besos.

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    1. Hello, Laura! Thank you for the nice comment. I am thankful for your visit. Have a happy day!

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  18. How nice you all were told about Sweetwater. What a dandy place for catching some birds. Neat shots you got.
    MB

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  19. Hi Eileen,Thanks for the informative videos. I's struck by the ease and majesty of the gator while crossing the gravel path. Lucky you to have wonderful exploratory experiences!

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    1. The gator was on a mission. Thanks, I appreciate the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  20. Beautiful place to see and a lot of birds there. Ducks and other birds are beautiful, alligator less :). Regards.

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    1. The alligators are spooky!
      Thanks, I appreciate the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  21. Boa tare, nos seus belos passeios. consegue sempre fotos lindas e perfeitas das belas aves.
    AG

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  22. The picture "Cormorant with fish" reminds me a similar thing, I saw in half moon bay few years ago. I saw two pelicans were fighting with a fish.. and other others were flying overhead just to take an opportunity to snatch the fish from them..

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    1. Hello, this cormorant had to swim away from other that were trying to get his catch. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  23. So many birds! And an alligator! Great shots!

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  24. I do like that name of Sweetwater. It's so descriptive of a huge place with so many sweet spots for seeing birds, but no wonder with the sive of that fish. You found some great species there Eileen. I hope those aren't your feet just yards from the alligator?

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    1. Lol, no not my feet. I was the one with the camera. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  25. Quite an abundance of birds- and what a gator!

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  26. I will have to put that on our places to go.

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    1. It is a great spot and very easy trails. Thanks, I appreciate the visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  27. Great pictures! It seems like Florida does have some really nice state parks.

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    1. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Enjoy your day!

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  28. Love that second pic - it's a keeper, I think. That is such a lovely area and the nicest people, for sure.

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    1. Hello, thanks for the nice comment. We had a nice day and the people were nice. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  29. Some great wildlife viewing! To be so close to an alligator doesn't make me anxious to visit marshes in Florida :O
    Wendy

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    1. Hi Wendy, thanks for the visit and comment. The gator did not seem to even notice we were there. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  30. I always say, 1) Florida has the prettiest clouds; 2) great to get several species in one shot!!

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    1. Thanks so much for the comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  31. What lovely shots and great skies.

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    1. Hello, thanks so much for your visit and comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  32. Beautiful series of photos, Eileen, and I love the videos, too! Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Hello Linda, thanks for the nice comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  33. You caught some great birds there, Eileen! And it is always nice to see Tex's ducks! ;-)

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    1. LOL, maybe Tex is missing a few of her Whistling Ducks. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  34. Looks like you found another great park for wildlife. Enjoyed the alligator crossing video.

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    1. Thanks for the comment and visits. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  35. Replies
    1. Thanks, Jim! Enjoy your day and the rest of the week!

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  36. Impressive photos Eileen, I enjoyed them all. I was particularly interested in the Sora as I have never seen one before. Videos were great too. The crocodile crossing the path was amazing. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful day.

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    1. Hello, the Sora is a secretive bird. The Sora can be found at Huntley Meadows in Virginia if you search. Thanks for the visit and comment. Happy weekend to you!

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  37. Great park and another one for my list! I find that most people who love natural places, birds and animals are happy to share info and knowledge. And I too am grateful for that. The Sora is a great catch...I saw one only once when we spent the winter on the Texas Gulf Coast.

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    1. Hello Sallie, I enjoyed all the parks in Florida. We met many very nice people during our travels too. Thanks for the visit and comment. Happy weekend to you!

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  38. I'm going to google this and find out where it is exactly. We've been to Payne's Prairie many times but never there! You got some amazing photos! I saw another eagle today when I stopped at Sholom Park. We miss you here in FL...hurry back! Hugs, Diane

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    1. Hello Diane, I think you would enjoy the walking paths at this park. It was a very nice place.
      Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy weekend to you!

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  39. Wonderful pictures...Love the black eye on the duck..The Sparrows are well camouflaged..Beautiful videos..Pretty skies..Another great park..hope you stayed dry today

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    1. Thanks, Missy! The ducks are my favorite. It is rainy today again, maybe even a passing snow shower. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  40. I always love your well documented and photographed adventures. Still amazed that you know what all the birds are.

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  41. It's always good to enlarge the photo's.
    I love the one with the cormorant and fish ... the skies do look lovely too.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  42. Ha, I love that aligator video!! Great post, and have a nice weekend.

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    1. Hello, the alligator was cool. Thanks so much, I appreciate the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  43. Wow! This was packed. In my mind, there must have been so much to see.

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    1. Thanks, I always appreciate your comments and visits. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  44. That first shot makes me want to go for a run along that road.

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  45. I love the sky in that first shot, and love all that you got to photograph! I just really enjoyed your series today.

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    1. Hello Rose, thanks so much for the nice comment. I appreciate the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  46. Incredible bird photography. I love all the shots, but I really enjoyed the black bellied ducks. I haven't seen those before.

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  47. What fabulous skies Eileen! A great selection of birds too. My favourite are the Whistling Ducks.

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    1. Hello Liz, Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  48. Wonderful photos of this park. I love all of these birds.

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    1. Hello, it was a great park. I appreciate the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  49. Oh My! That sky on above the bridge is just so lyrical! I love it!

    Steve

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    1. Thanks Steven! I appreciate the comment and visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  50. What a wonderful, fantastic and fabulous area. All animals there seems to be happy.
    The alligator is awesome.

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    1. Hello, thanks so much for the nice comment. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  51. great sky and birds. happy WE Eileen.

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    1. Hello Klara, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Happy weekend to you!

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  52. I love seeing those Whistlers. Makes me think of Texwisgirl! Thanks for linking up and I hope to see you back again next week. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Hello Michelle, thanks so much for hosting and commenting on my post. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  53. Beautiful photographs and videos!

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  54. A beautiful day at the park. I love to see the whistling ducks and other pretty birds. The gator is taking it own sweet time to walk to the lake. Have a great day!

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  55. Hi Eileen, Your posts never disappoint! :-) I love these shots at Sweetwater Wetlands Park. That very first photo … wow, it makes me feel like I’m right there ready to start walking. Interesting sky too! Cool photo of the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks! Enjoyed the videos too, especially the one with the gator moving across the walk path. Your neat videos inspire me to do some videos on my posts. Thanks, as always, for sharing and wishing you a happy weekend!

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  56. What a wonderful park. Why were those people standing so close to the alligator? You had the right idea staying back from it!
    Have a good weekend Eileen!
    Robin

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  57. The sky sure was pretty that day. Look at all those birds that you saw and were able to photograph! Great pictures! I watched the video of the alligator crossing the trail. Hose people look too close for my comfort to the alligator!

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  58. Hi Eileen-
    Beautiful skies in your photos.
    Sora was my former neighbor's name.
    Cute bird.
    The Gator video is cool too.
    Have a Happy Day!
    Peace :)

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  59. I love the photos. Great videos. Love the sky pics. Would love to be taking a walk around there myself. Thanks for sharing.

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  60. Another park I need to visit with my grandkids! Wonderful shots and I liked the video of the alligator.

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  61. I would STILL be thrilled to see the Limpkin! Love the alligator video.

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  62. Beautiful birds- I love all the pics. The whistlers remind me of our friend Theresa- I sure do miss her and her good fences meme.
    I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

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  63. Sweetwater looks very pretty, Eileen. I liked hearing the sound the ducks made in video #1 and seeing the aligator cross the road in video #2--he looked close to the other people watching on the other side!

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  64. Wow - so many birds - love love love the Wood Stork - the feathers are amazing. And I was hoping to get to hear the whistling ducks, I'd not heard them before. And I'd never seen an alligator walking, very interesting, but I sure wouldn't get as close as those people were, that's for sure. Wonderful photos. Happy weekend.

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  66. Wow! That's a beautiful sky captured

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  67. loved to see your image of the Sora. Would love to see some of it´s relatives where I live but if they come they hide quickly :(

    Thanks for sharing your park. :)

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  68. That crossing alligator! I might be freaking out looking at that :)

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  69. I think I saw that video on FB! :) Love the little Sora... and also the Wood Storks. They are quite big, aren't they? I have not yet seen my first Kingfisher, but maybe soon. Hugs!

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  70. Vim te avisar que teus céus estão lá hoje, acabaram de entrar!

    Obrigadão! bjs, chica

    Podes ver:

    http://ceuepalavras.blogspot.com.br/2017/06/ceus-da-eileen.html

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Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

BTW, Anonymous comments unless a name is included will not be published. Also, comments with links will be deleted.

Have a happy day, Eileen

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