finishing up Florida

From the Tampa - St Pete's area we continued heading north more or less along the coast. This part of Florida did not seem to have the same level of development or tourist trade. It was sort of refreshing after all the congestion we had been in, but it did make me wonder why… We stopped at several state parks along the way and I came so close to seeing an armadillo. I mean I sort of saw it, but mostly the family next to me saw it and I saw the leaves and bushes move. So close.

We stopped at Manatee Springs SP. But it was pretty cold so the manatees were deep in the water and we couldn't really see them. But our next stop was St George Island SP and St. George Island was beautiful!  It is a barrier Island up along the panhandle, long and narrow, not much development, and since the state park is at the end of the island it feels like you can explore for miles without seeing anyone. At least it felt that way in the beginning of Feb, who knows how crowded it gets later in the season. 

After St George we headed over to St Andrew and so we could make a trip to Shell Island. We were still combing the beaches looking for shells. It was a chilly day and the boat wasn't very crowded so our guide was chatting with me and happened to mention how proud they were of their governor, DeSantis, because he kept everything open during COVID and that he was really the best. I hesitated, then replied, hmmm that our governor’s emphasis had been on keeping us, his people, his constituents, as safe as possible.  That he tried to follow the science which resulted in our state having one of the lowest rates of COVID and COVID related deaths and we were very grateful to him. Then, after a moment I asked her a question about something the boat was passing.  It takes all the colors to make a beautiful stained glass mosaic, but sometimes it's hard to remember that. 🤔

Our farewell stop in Florida was Falling Waters SP. It's claim to fame is that it has the highest waterfall in Florida. Now before getting too excited by this, one must remember that the highest elevation in Florida is Britton Hill, located at the end of the panhandle and practically in Alabama, at, wait for it …  345’. By the way, that is the lowest high elevation of all 50 states (even Delaware beats it by over 100’). Haha. 

Let's move on to pics: 

Manatee Springs SP.                               Too cold for manatees, but we did see this grebe having a grand time, his head and neck are draped with greenery from diving down in the water,

and more swamps …

and a small herd of deer I thought they looked quite exotic going through the palmetto trees. 

And then there was this guy, yikes! Although he looks like a copperhead, I was assured by the rangers that he was just a common brown snake, and although they swim (😱) they are not harmful. For the record, I don't like snakes that swim, I just don't think they should be in the water, but at least since it was cold this guy wasn't moving, water or not.

St. George Island SP.                                   It seemed like it was just mile after mile of these beautiful beaches

with birds,  a ring neck gull,

a willet, 

willet, shells and pebbles 

sanderling and sparkling water

and tracks...

On the bayside, there were herons,

belted kingfishers,

bald eagles, nests and amazing views.

They also had these jumping fish that jumped way out of the water, like feet out of the water, but I never managed to get a pic of them. Haha.

Another heron pic … just because.

And a few more ocean side views

cardinals always look so glorious 

northern mockingbird 


Shell Island 

Then we moved to St Andrew SP and took a boat ride out to Shell Island. It was a bit chilly. The next pics are of Shell Island. It was a beautiful place. ❤️

walking the surf 

sanderling or a snowy plover

a willet performing early morning yoga (haha)

ruddy turnstone 

a patch of sun breaking through the clouds lighting the beach

Cannonball jelly 

as we leave the beach all that is left are the footprints …


Our last stop in Florida, Falling Waters SP, home of Florida’s tallest waterfall.

The waterfall …

and this pic even has a rainbow. 🌈


Next stops: Alabama, Mississippi, and into Louisiana 

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