Florida - Sawgrass Lake Park - Protected wetlands

I love taking a nature walk whenever I can. This Tuesday I spent a most enjoyable hour and a half at Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg, FL, yakking with another amateur photographer and dodging the raindrops. Stay tuned for an upcoming in-depth photo tour of the wetlands.

Sky reflections in the water.

Leaving the park I almost ran over this adorable little fellow crossing the road.

Aquatic turtle?

I can't tell you what kind of turtle it is - Richard thinks it is an aquatic turtle.

However, my best photo opportunity came when I spotted

an egret which lured me into an area of the park which is

the wild wetlands - protected lands.

An area I had not ventured into before.

Scenic view with egret

See the elusive egret toward the left (just off center) fishing along the banks.

My visit ended with the park ranger coming to my "rescue". More about that in my real photo essay.

Here is a link to the official website for Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg, FL or

click here to see a photo tour of the Alligator at Sawgrass Lake Park

When was the last time you took a walk in the park

to re-charge your batteries?

Day 2 of 100

Comments: 19

Nora Davenport Sep 24, 2009, 11:49am EDT

wow, Rose, what beautiful photos! Looks like you had a fun time exploring in the park!!!!!

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April H. Sep 24, 2009, 11:52am EDT

Lovely photos! Thanks for sharing! We have turtles like that show up in our back yard occasionally (we have a pond).

Rose H. Sep 24, 2009, 12:19pm EDT

I've only seen one near our ditch once, but it looked different.

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j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 24, 2009, 11:53am EDT

Oh Oh, did you fall in the lake, or did an alligator attack you? Great photos!

Rose H. Sep 24, 2009, 12:17pm EDT

Close, but I'm not telling:)

j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 25, 2009, 11:10pm EDT

Well, I just saw something on the news about a woman being attacked by an alligator in your part of the state....it wasn't you, was it?

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Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Sep 24, 2009, 11:58am EDT

Can't wait to hear about your rescue!
Great photos above.
We had to rescue a turtle in the road the other day - we helped him across the road so he would not get hit. If you help a turtle cross the road, always bring them to the side they were already traveling to!

Rose H. Sep 24, 2009, 12:17pm EDT

Priscilla - the park has "Turtle crossing" signs and you are only allowed 15 mph - good thing for this short sighted woman and of course the turtle. I hopped out of the car to get some shots, but I just let it go where it wanted, which seemed to be the water.

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Alex In Wonderland Sep 24, 2009, 12:02pm EDT

It looks like his shell is painted on! A bird worth needing rescued over, for sure :) I was fortunate to see one close when it landed on a tree by the pool we were swimming in. Unfortunately, being in the pool I was lacking a camera!

Rose H. Sep 24, 2009, 12:15pm EDT

You're right, Amanda - it looks like some abstract painting and I took a double take when I saw it thinking someone may have messed with it.

We have a white egret that comes to visit the ditch out back on occasion and I finally got a picture the other day.

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Dagmara H. Sep 24, 2009, 12:15pm EDT

those are beautiful photos

Rose H. Sep 24, 2009, 12:19pm EDT

Thanks, Dagmara!

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Marianne R. Sep 24, 2009, 2:00pm EDT

Pretty place and nice shots

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Kat W. Sep 24, 2009, 2:59pm EDT

Hubby is talking of taking a vacay in Tampa. I'm not sure when since we will be at St. George Island in November, maybe this spring? I'm looking forward to visiting some of the places you have posted about. As soon as I know if this is really going to happen I will let you know.