Sawgrass Lake Park in Florida is a FREE park with an amazing array of wildlife, in particular waterbirds - if you are a birdwatcher - this is a great place to hang out. The park features an interesting environmental exhibit, tours if you call ahead and as I found out, it is inhabited by everything from alligators, to armadillos, lots of friendly squirrels, snakes and all sorts of turtles to name those I actually saw.
My recent trip to Sawgrass Lake Park was a spur of the moment idea. I was literally on the way home one afternoon and although it was threatening to rain I really longed for a walk in Mother Nature.
This is part II in a series about Sawgrass Lake Park in Florida.
If you missed my cool alligator experience in part I
you can click here for the photo tour Alligator at Sawgrass Lake.
Armed with a huge golf umbrella, to fend off any gator attacks, a water bottle (you never go anywhere in Florida without your water bottle:) and my camera, I set off on the boardwalk on the trail to the look-out tower.
The entrance to the park is beautifully kept, ...
... with picnic areas ...
This is near the butterfly garden and the environmental exhibit building.
Each area is separate and different.
So bring your lunch or grill near one of the covered buildings in the park.
This is a magnolia tree with Spanish moss hanging from it's branches,
the first magnolias are opening.
You can see the overhang from the covered building on the right.
The variety of waterbirds is simply amazing and when Richard and I went back the following weekend, we saw different birds than those I'd already seen on my first visit, this post is a compilation of both.
On the way to the look-out, I saw my first bird, actually it saw me, because I almost tripped over it, it blended in so well with the greenery.
It flew off.
Lucky for me, it decided to pose just within reach of my camera zoom.
I was thrilled, my first bird shot and maybe, just maybe, I'd see something else from the look-out.
These school kids arrived shortly thereafter and so
I overheard their nature guide explain, ...
that this is a male Anhinga, a common Florida waterbird.
It may be common, but I had never seen one before.
It is nesting.
The guide said that the male have pretty blue eyes.
When Richard and I came back for another visit, .....
... the female was nesting.
I was hoping to see a nice wing spread from the male,
but this is all I got - preening:)
The guide pointed out the green heron fishing right by our look-out deck.
Almost picture perfect pose.
I am not a real birdwatcher, all I know about birds I've learned on gather or from Richard. So I am always wondering, "What kind of bird is this?"
It took me a while to realize that the very first bird I saw on the railing is a green heron, just like these two that were fishing, it's just posturing differently.
Although, I suspect, that one might have been a mature vs this one possibly being an immature one still. I didn't notice any fuzz on the other one's head.:)
As I walked around the lookout I noticed another waterbird on the other side, I managed only two shots before he flew off.
He looked almost black in the sunlight and his beak is different from any of the other birds I took a picture of. He was a good size bird too.
So I am asking you, "What kind of bird is this?"
Happy with all the action around the look-out I strolled back out of the wilder side of the park.
Spanish Moss everywhere
If you go to the park, reserve some extra time for the trails
to see
enchanting, beautiful old Florida!
As I came to the bridge ...
I noticed this Little Blue Heron, really, that is it's name.
I looked it up on the net.
He seems to be swallowing something as he is fishing along the bank.
It is a much smaller waterbird and has a really cool turquoise blue beak.
A pretty little thing, isn't he?
We walked up to this pond ...
... and instantly spotted this
Snowy White Egret
fishing.
A graceful bird.
Alerted by some other visitors Richard motioned for me to take a shot of these TURTLES.
I couldn't hardly see anything while I had the lens at max, I just tried to find the yellow spot Richard mentioned, which turned out to be the first turtle. When I saw the image on the computer it was a nice surprise!
Look at the colorful reflection in the water (this is not an edited effect)
and the neat colors of these turtles.
How cool is that!
In fact the water looked kind of murky and with all the greenery behind the turtles, focusing was a challenge.
This is the first picture I took, you can see the tri color reflection in the water even better.
As I was pointing out to Richard where I saw the birds on the canal bank the last time, this tri-color heron arrives.
Stalking his dinner ...
On the move ...
It was a pleasure to talk to other people in the park along the way. It was like the nature buffs and photographer's intuitively knew each other.
We had a couple of pleasant chats as well as some excited reports of alligator sightings, but that will be in another essay.
As we are getting ready to leave I see this bird, which I am fairly certain has to be an Ibis.
I already posted another shot of him in my photo gallery,
but so far no one could identify him. 
We spent near four hours at the park and enjoyed every minute of it.
If you are in the Tampa Bay area on vacation and
you enjoy nature trips, don't miss this park
you certainly can't beat the price of this attraction!!
Heading to the car I spotted some young girls taking pictures of something on the ground. Curious, I went over to investigate and it turned out to be a gopher turtle.
Casting a suspicious eye ...
I hope you have enjoyed today's photo tour of Sawgrass Lake Park, it has been my pleasure to have you along!
Written and photographed by Rose H. - copyright 2009
I plan to write a separate essay on the trails, trees, wildflowers and dragonflies.
Meanwhile here is the link to the Alligator at Sawgrass Lake Park photo tour!
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Comments: 42
Rose, this is really a fantastic photo essay, and you so made me want to go there. If we ever end up going to visit your area, I will definitely have to get the tips from you on where to go. I love all of your bird photos, and I can really see that you are getting better every time you post some. I still have not mastered this skill:) I'm like you, I have no clue about the birds here, but this is one of the goals for this summer that the boys and I learn about the plants, bird life, insects and animals in general here in Florida. Once Roshane is out of school, we are headed for the library.
After the dry dry winter, I am really happy to see everything turn green down here.I cannot wait to go exploring with the boys this summer, even though some of it might have to wait until after the baby has arrived, so that I can move around better:)
JR - there were people of all ages, lots of stollers too:) The keys is probably even more fun, but if you come my way, by all means let me know. I'd be happy to put something together for you:)
Of course you have to come and visit the Secret Garden too:)
oooohhh... I might get to go in a few days, rose. hope my camera gets some good photos! I have a lot of family members living nearby, actually all Over pinellas county,lol... I had forgotten about this park.
Penni - same here. We had been to this park a long time ago and I had forgotten about it too. Richard mentioned just going there for a picnic one time and that's how it came back on my radar.
I really just wanted to go for a walk, I didn't know I'd come across all the critters:)
Great photos of the turtle and birds. It looks like a great place to visit.
Beautiful essay
What a delightful photo essay, Rose! I loved all the beautiful birds, turtles, & scenery! You have really become a good photographer!!! Well done!!! A place I will definitely visit if I'm ever in that area!
Nancy - I do practice lots on gather and to hear from you that I've gotten better, certainly means something. THANK YOU!
Drop me an e-mail if you are going to be in town.
lol...your photos are sooo good...I was going to offer to rent it...then I realized that the camera is only one of the tools needed to get great stuff.... that SPECIAL camera EYE that you seem to have naturally. :)
This is a beautifully-done photo essay! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. We are featuring it this week at Home Comfort
Natalie - thank you so much for the feature, I'm delighted:)
Lots of great bird photos.
The gopher tortise looks grumpy.
Winona - I agree, I think the turtle was none too pleased with all the human attention.
Rose, that is an outstanding post of photos and narration. The whole thing is very informative and well done.
George - thank you so much for dropping by. It was my intent to get out a bit of information about the park. There is so much to see and tell one would have to write a real article to do it justice.
What you did is probably going to peak quite a bit of interest.
Awesome photo essay!
Rose,
You really got some great shots. Not too many parks are free anymore. Holly River State Park is near where I live and it is also Free. It is beautiful there as well.
I almost missed that turtle in your photo. If I had not seen his head, lol, he blended in with his surroundings very well.
Connie - thanks! It's good to get the information out so that people can enjoy the few freebies left. That turtle was really big too and practically the same color as the ground.
Beautiful photos! Those birds are all really spectacular. I love the green herons!
Rose, outstanding work - National Geographic quality! From my screened porch, I see the Louisiana green heron, the big blues, gallinules, anhinga, and an occasional alligator! I'm so blessed. I love them all. Sandhill cranes come into my yard and eat bread from my hand. They are beautiful and huge. I can feel the joy you get from your photography and I'm so happy for you. Maybe I'll post a picture but it won't compare to yours.
Marie - you are making me blush:) Thank you, I have a lot to learn and gather is a wonderful place to experiment.
Lucky you, indeed you are blessed if you live this close to Mother Nature and her gifts. I love them all too and I am surprised at their wing span.
Go ahead and post, Marie. As an artist I know you have the artist eye and that makes any photography beautiful. That and when your love for the subject shines through.
Rose, you are giving my handy dandy bird book a workout tonight;)
I just had to find out what kind of ibis that is since it's the second time I've seen it and curiousity got the best of me. It's an Immature (1st Sring) white ibis. Your photo looks exactly like the one in the book! I love it when that happens.
I'd love to visit this park, I'm glad to see you are finding some wonderful birds to photograph.
Thanks so much for posting to my group.
Gloria - Thank you, that's what John Beack was saying, I just couldn't find it on the Internet earlier. I do need to get a bird book:)
I know you'd love this park and the Botanical Garden and Sunken Gardens I posted about.
Come on down and visit anytime. The Secret Garden awaits:) Feb to about June 15 is usually the best weather around here. Summer is too hot to trapse all over the countryside, at least for this old girl.
wonderful essay Rose!! the bird pictures are magnificent and I just adore turtles!
Nancy - those turtle pictures were an unexpected pleasure. My eyes aren't that good and if Richard hadn't been with me I'd have never seen them at all.
Beautiful photos and essay. You saw a lot of cool wildlife and waterfowl!
that is such a great park. I want to go there.
I've never heard of a Gopher Turtle! I've also never seen most of the birds in the pictures. I love being able to see what goes on in other parts of the country and the world. You've given us a beautiful and fantastic glimpse of your neck of the woods!!
Fantastic photo essay! Your photos are gorgeous! One of the best investments I have made is a field guide book of birds in my area. It is not a large book but it sure comes in handy.
Thank you for posting your photo essay at Pretty Pictures.
Kat - Thank you! I think the time has come for a bird book. Amazing the impact gather can have on your life.
I very much enjoyed my time here with you and your photos. So much cool information and of course beauiful photos
You got some fantastic bird images...I love the tuft on the Anhinga.
Wonderful photos & photo essay as well! I saw many birds in your essay that I have never seen before.
Wow, what an awesome photo essay! The bird photos are stunning. Great job! Thanks for sharing your photos.
Great job on the wildlife photos! Looks like a neat place to visit!
Beautiful photo essay. Thanks for sharing it in our Spring09 Group here on Gather.
Rose ,this is an outstanding group of photos and commentary. Sawgrass is an amazing park. beautiful.
I will have to spend the day in that park the next time I'm in that area. Your photos were gorgeous!! All my favorites! I love the herons and the Great Egret. Fantastic photo essay!
Beautiful birds!
What a great place. You got some wonderful bird photos...they are so colorful and much different than what we see here! This was great fun to read.