Leaving the Withlacoochee

Events of 23 September 2009       We took a little dinghy tour of the lower Withlacoochee River this morining. The sky was overcast and foggy. We ran down the little river and rousted out the biggest gator of the trip. Maybe 14 feet? All we saw was his head. It was the size of a horse's head. He quickly slid below the water. They don't get that big without being stealthy.
       It was a nice little tour and the pictures below speak for themselves.

About a hundred or so Wood Stocks were hanging about waiting for the day to start. These are a few of that flock. Rare species due to freshwater habitat destruction.

On the opposite side of the bayou from the woodstorks these Roseate Spoonbills held their section of the turf. They turn pink as they mature from the shrimp they eat.

White Ibis take flight over the marsh.

Small Gator awaiting the start of another day.

Two Ospreys and a Turkey Vulture guard the mouth of the Withlacoochee River.