


This is the Paynes Prarie State Park, and it is several miles South of Gainesville, Florida, near a town called Micanopy. The part of the park where we were, is a fresh-water wetlands. We had pulled off the highway (not the I-75 freeway which is close-by) to see a park overlook. This stop was an un-planned, very quick visit. We went out on a wooden boardwalk over the swampy landscape, and viewed several Great Egrets, two Little Blue Herons, and one Great Blue Heron. That Great Blue Heron stood stock-still and almost looked like a statue during the ten or so minutes we were out watching the birds.
The birds were a long way from this boardwalk so it was a good thing I had my long zoom lens! I also saw a Red-shouldered Hawk perched in an old tree across the highway, and a Turkey Vulture flying overhead. I have read that this park has quite a lot of wildlife. This is a park I definitely want to return to. I took these pictures on August 31, 2013. Please click on the thumbnail images to see the larger photo. Enjoy!





