A Full-time Life

SIX MILE CYPRESS SLOUGH end of January

,

   The Florida winter weather we know and love is back and we had a great day for a walk at Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.

 

DSCN5097-002

 

  I'm not sure how it's possible that it took almost two months before we found time for our first visit of the season.       

 

DSCN5123-001
 

 I'm grateful to those who preserved this area for all to use.    It's perfect for a close-to-home walk — just a short visit,  but  part of one of life's great adventures.     

  

DSCN5089-001

 

The turtles seemed in awe of the Great Blue Heron, who is King of the Raft.   The Cormorant must be the court jester.

 

 

DSCN5108-001

 

 The Downy Woodpecker was just one of several flitting though the brush.  Lots of small perching birds too.  Too flitty for my camera skills, but fun to see and identify.

 

DSCN5084-002

 

White Ibis posing as a tree-top ornament.   Ibis are very common around here, even in developed areas.  But they look so much better in natural surroundings.

 

DSCN5092-001

 

Another Great Blue, making a huge racket.  There were quite a few people on the Boardwalk, but it was really nice because on this day everyone seemed  happy to quietly enjoy nature.   You could hear birds singing (and squalling) and very little human noise.

 

DSCN5133-001

 

Something to see everywhere.  We looked up, we looked out, and didn't forget to look down….  When we did we saw this  baby Cottonmouth enjoying the sunshine.  And getting ready to shed his first skin.  (We were safe on the Boardwalk above it, but in any case he was paying no attention.) 

 

2019-02-002

 

Six-Mile is one of our most familiar walks, but there is always something different.  This time, it was evident that our weather has been rainier than usual.   Parts of the preserve that are usually dry or almost dry during the winter  were more like lakes on this day.  This must be more like the way  the Slough looks during the summer, which is Florida's wet season.   

 

Linking this week to the following sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the generous hosts.

 

 

 NATURE NOTES;   ALL SEASONS;  OUR WORLD on Tuesday;    SAY CHEESE ;  WILD BIRD Wednesday;   MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;   SIGNS SIGNS;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;   TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;   FRIDAY  BLISS;  SATURDAY CRITTERS;  and RATHER B' BIRDING  

 

50 responses to “SIX MILE CYPRESS SLOUGH end of January”

  1. Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES

    I especially love he heron, cormorant, turtles and your comments. What a scene! We hit a record high February in the 70s and now it is winter once more.

  2. craftygreenpoet

    looks like a lovely place to walk. I really like the photo with the heron, cormorant and turtles

  3. David Gascoigne

    I can see why you enjoy walking there, Sallie. It looks like the kind of place I could wander through and then start back all over again.

  4. Anni @ I’d Rather B Birdin’

    Thanks for sharing with us at I’d Rather B Birdin this week and for the birthday wishes Sallie!

  5. Stewart M

    Looks like a great place to explore – and it reminds me that I have not seen a single snake this summer – which is a bit unusual.
    Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne

  6. Eileen Wise

    Hello, Sallie! What a great critter post. I love all the birds and the turtles. The preserve is nice, Florida has great parks. Thank you so much for linking up your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend.

  7. riitta k

    It is great to see the birds in their natural surroundings – that is left as it is, not tidied too much by man.

  8. KB

    A fun place for an adventure

  9. betty – NZ

    Goodness, what a great place to find lots of pretty critters! Thanks for linking up at My Corner of the World!

  10. Linda in Virginia

    Looks like a great place! I’m not crazy about snakes though.

  11. Nancy Chan

    Great photos from your walks. Always good to enjoy the beautiful nature around you.

  12. Peter B.

    What a wonderful spot to have close to home. I think I would be visiting this area on a regular basis. Cool cottonmouth!

  13. Penny

    I so enjoyed seeing this walk about again, Sallie. From the amazing water fowl -to the quotes – wow – a balm to my winter weary soul. Thanks

  14. Lavender Dreamer

    It’s so hard to capture the beauty of the swamps in photos. I keep taking them but the dark water and cypress knees don’t always show up as I see them. You’ve seen some amazing birds…oh and a snake. I’ll show it to my hubby. He’s always on the lookout for those. We have a LOT of water in the swamps here even though it doesn’t seem like it’s rained that much. The weather is gorgeous this week! ENJOY!!!

  15. Jim, Sydney, Australia

    Great scenery.

  16. Photo Cache

    Happy New Year! I missed coming over to see your posts every week. Hope 2019 is treating you fine.

  17. lea

    Looks like a great place to be out for a walk!
    Have a wonderful day!

  18. diane

    Lots of interesting wildlife to see. It looks nice with all the water.

  19. Pat

    What a wonderful nature preserve in which to walk and enjoy all the sights, Sallie! Glad that snake was under the boardwalk you were walking on, and not on it!

  20. RedPat

    That is one of the kind of place that makes Florida special. I envy you this wonderful walk, Sallie!

  21. Lois

    Beautiful shots Sallie, except for the cottonmouth though because they are so dangerous. I can’t even stand to look at a photo!

  22. Michelle Banks

    I agree..heaven and warm and green…Michelle

  23. Jeanna

    I love the idea of the cormorant and great blue heron hanging out and one being the funny sidekick, that picture attests to it. Oh yes, just another cotton mouth at my feet la di da la di da. I practically light a candle when I see a timber rattler and it’s been awhile. That other picture of the great blue looks like it’s yacking it up too. Everyone and everything seems so happy there. Meanwhile, three people froze solid in Milwaukee. Wa wahh.

  24. NatureFootstep PhotoArt

    love the cypress forest and the little snake curling up. There is much fine nature in Florida 🙂

  25. Debbie

    i’m happy for you that the weather has become favorable. we have visited florida during this time of year and we have experienced both warm and cold temperatures. we spent a christmas in florida and we absolutely froze!!
    the matre quote is a good one, nature is such a big part of my life. great captures, i have never seen an ibis with that coloring!!!

  26. Margaret Birding For Pleasure

    What a wonderful place to visit and lots to see and photograph

  27. Penelope Puddlisms

    Oh, that top picture and reflections shows the magic of water and the snake is a beauty coiled up and enjoying the sun. Nice catch, Sallie.

  28. Gattina

    You have strange animals around you ! I only see cats and dogs and cows and sheep, but no turtle or snakes ! For that I have to go to a zoo !

  29. Phil Slade

    If Six-Mile really is six miles long then it must be a simply brilliant place to linger. The picture of the heron and the turtles is very amusing, like you say, there seems to be to it than appears to be the case. I imagine that a heron is a predator of baby turtles, so too the cormorant. I like the idea of the wise words dotted around the walk; a good idea to remind us all that nature is indeed wonderful. Yes, even poisonous snakes.

  30. ellen b.

    I can see why you’d want to return for this walk over again. Wonderful scenery. Glad you returned and shared. Hope your week is going well.

  31. Su-sieee! Mac

    Hi, Sallie, I was wondering what kind of sounds were going on, and then you told me. The Great Blue does look like it has great lungs. A cool capture of him. I also like your photo of the birds and turtles. They seem to be gossiping, maybe about that guy swimming by. The see-through green border on your woodpecker photo is nice. I feel like I’m looking through the camera eye. 🙂

  32. Angie

    Sallie – I enjoyed your reference to the Heron as the King of the Raft, the cormorant as court jester and the turtles as subjects – clever! I do wonder why that Ibis chose such a precarious roost?? I hope you continue to enjoy February in Florida!

  33. tomthebackroadstraveller

    …beautiful spot, I don’t like snakes!

  34. Al

    What a beautiful place. But stay away from that snake!

  35. Hootin’ Anni

    Everything is gorgeous: birds & scenery…except for that lousy snake. I HATE snakes!!

  36. William Kendall

    Your shot of the heron and his court is my favourite!

  37. Junieper/Jesh StG

    This looks like close to heaven and an awesome walk, Sallie. Yeah I probably would have chosen the black cormorant too as a court jester! Wow, the snake looks big for being a baby!
    Many thanks for sharing your experience with All Seasons walking the Six mile!

  38. Alan Bates

    That’s a wonderful pic of the snake although they are always a surprise. My theory is that we don’t see most of them and they get out of the way. I do my woodsy geocaching in the winter to avoid such surprises but I am still careful.
    And what a great place to go with your camera and just take it all in. Great post.

  39. bill burke

    I love your comment about the turtles, the Blue Heron and Cormorant, I laughed after reading that. 🙂 Nice photos as usual, Sallie. Have a wonderful day and new week!

  40. Carol

    You really did a wonderful job capturing the beauty of the preserve. Wonderful!

  41. fun60

    Great collection of photos but my favourite is the one with the heron and cormorant who look as though they are posing just for you.

  42. Calendula

    Great birds! I love most the Great Blue Heron!
    Best
    Calendula

  43. Gaelyn

    You are so fortunate to have this preserve so close to home for a quick, or not, nature fix. Especially nice if others can listen to nature instead of themselves.

  44. A ShutterBug Explores

    wow! what a wonderful nature adventure and wonderful photos!
    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

  45. Eileen Wise

    Hello, Sallie
    The preserve looks very nice. I have not visited this place, the wildlife sightings look great. I love the turtle, heron photo. The baby Cottonmouth is a cool sighting. Great quote and photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and have a great new week ahead.

  46. mick

    It looks like a beautiful place to walk and see so much beauty. I think the boardwalk is especially good because it keeps you far enough from the nasties like snakes but you can watch and enjoy from a safe distance.

  47. Lady Fi

    What a lovely reserve – so much to see and enjoy.

  48. JoAnn M Bayne

    Amazing place – and the birds and critters are fabulous – though I’d keep my distance from any snakes,just in case. Love the Ibis – I’ve never seen one out in nature, beautiful. Have a grand week ahead – we have some snow up here in the Pacific Northwest – brr rr rrr r

  49. Amy Franks

    I agree with that quote – so true

  50. Kelly Anne Rothaermel

    What a lovely nature preserve. Have a great week.

Discover more from A Full-time Life

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading