Now that the weather is nice and warm (make that HOT hot hot), manatees no longer congregate where the waters are warmed by the nearby power plant. This time of year, they can spread out and enjoy warm water in the river and the gulf. They'll be back to their 'hot tub spa' next winter.
But Manatee Park in North Fort Myers is still a good place for a morning walk close to home -- and always a sure bet for picture opportunities.
The flowers above are from the Native Plant Demonstration Garden.
The Park is only a couple of miles from home but I didn't get an early start. Most birds (sensibly) hide during the hot part of the day and it was already late in the morning. But the Blue Jay wasn't letting the heat keep him from this pretty perch.
The Passion Vine isn't native to this area but it has been planted out of necessity as a supplemental host plant for certain species of butterflies.
This pretty dragon fly posed nicely.
I saw lots of butterflies, but these two were the only ones that landed long enough for a picture. (Note to self: Get out there earlier in the morning. Butterflies are more active after it warms up.)
We're at countdown mode, getting organized for our semi-annual migration in a couple of weeks, so it's a busy time around the Canal Cottage. A couple of hours in the park was a good way to get energized for the week ahead.
LINKING TO: Jesh's SEASONS; Judith's monthly MOSAIC MONDAY; OUR WORLD on Tuesday (hosted by Lady Fi, Gattina, Arija, Sandy, Sylvia, and Jenn); Michelle's NATURE NOTES; Stewart's WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY; and TODAY'S FLOWERS, hosted by Denise.
Thank you to all of the hosts.
How nice they plant non-native host plants for the butterflies.
Posted by: pattisj | June 07, 2016 at 07:42 PM
Oh, how I appreciate the great colors as they are definitely fading fast here in the Southern Hemisphere!
Posted by: bettyl-NZ | June 03, 2016 at 10:37 PM
Great series of photos.
Posted by: Neil | June 03, 2016 at 04:54 PM
Beautiful shots of the flowers and I also love the insects and birds. The post before this one has some great looking animals relaxing in the field.
Posted by: Carver | June 02, 2016 at 02:03 PM
Fantastic shots! Love all of them, but, most especially the passion flower. We can only grow them as annuals here and some years they grow better than others.
Posted by: Penny | June 02, 2016 at 12:44 PM
The passion vine is amazing. It looks like a jellyfish!
Posted by: Nan | June 01, 2016 at 06:25 PM
Yes a wonderful series of photos.... Thank you for linking in Sallie... Michelle
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | June 01, 2016 at 03:46 PM
What a lovely colourful post ... I really enjoyed it, thank you.
All the best Jan
Posted by: lowcarbdiabeticJan | June 01, 2016 at 02:44 PM
What beautiful walk and so lovely flowers in so many colors and textures! Gorgeous butterflies in your collection of photos!
Have a very wonderful week of june!
Posted by: Alexa T | June 01, 2016 at 11:19 AM
What a lovely assortment of birds, blooms and insects!
Posted by: Eden Hills | June 01, 2016 at 07:24 AM
it's been hot here too at the jersey shore but my definition of hot, i'm sure, is a lot different than yours. the passion vine is gorgeous, such a pretty color ;)
butterflies are always difficult to capture, i find monarchs to be a little easier than say a swallowtail. your images are beautiful, i especially enjoyed the butterflies, they always make me think of freedom...and i love that thought!!!!
Posted by: Debbie | June 01, 2016 at 06:03 AM
Hi Sallie...it's HOT hot hot here, too. But that's summer in Florida! Our humidity is less than yours, though. I think. Some of the time. Maybe. Perhaps.
You should be heading to cooler climes pretty soon, though. Right? Enjoy. I think the heat is better than cold, though. I cannot stand cold. I'm too old.
Posted by: Lowell | June 01, 2016 at 05:28 AM
I love the longhorns, but the passion flower is interesting!
Posted by: JennJilks | June 01, 2016 at 03:58 AM
The flowers are really attractive. I like the different looking ones like these the most.
Posted by: Ratty | June 01, 2016 at 02:31 AM
Great closeup of the dragonfly, I think that's my favourite :-)
Posted by: Amy | June 01, 2016 at 12:33 AM
Best wishes for your travels West!
Posted by: Hazel | May 31, 2016 at 10:58 PM
The purple flower is amazing!
http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-time.html
Posted by: kelleyn rothaermel | May 31, 2016 at 08:40 PM
I love the butterflies! Lovely flowers also. Hope you are not working too hard getting reading to leave. Take some time to relax. That is a great photo of the passion vine also. Thanks for being a friend to my blog. I always like your blog because it is so happy here.
Posted by: islandrambles | May 31, 2016 at 07:10 PM
Lovely blossoms!
I have yet to snap a butterfly or dragonfly yet this year.
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | May 31, 2016 at 06:31 PM
Love the flowers and butterflies. The passionflowers are special.
Posted by: Ken Schneider | May 31, 2016 at 05:45 PM
lovely flowers...really love your beautiful photos....
Posted by: bj | May 31, 2016 at 05:41 PM
I remember seeing a manatee for the first time on our last trip to Florida, very exciting for me. Your flowers and other photographs are stunning Sallie. Thank you for being such a good friend to Today's Flowers. I always appreciate you linking very much.
Posted by: DeniseinVA | May 31, 2016 at 03:23 PM
Lovely looking Jay. I really like the butterflies too.
Posted by: Adam Jones | May 31, 2016 at 01:12 PM
What a loly selection of critters in this post and great shots
Posted by: Margaret Birding For Pleasure | May 31, 2016 at 10:44 AM
lovely images of your flora and fauna Sallie. So now you are migrating to where. I can't keep up with you, lol
Posted by: Felicia | May 31, 2016 at 10:15 AM
Dearest Sallie; Wow, What GORGEOUS photographs of flowers, dragon fly and butterflies♡♡♡ The Passion Vine is really facilitating and your explanation impressed me a lot. Your photos of butterflies with flowers are truly beautiful♬♬♬ We see small butterflies but not many bigger sized Swallowtail Butterfly; I was wondering about that :-)
It seems we (especially my husband) have had high explanation about selling my parents' old house and still being with him painting etc p:-)
Now in Japan, 1 house out of 7 is the empty house...
Thank you SO much for your sweet comment; And good luck for your preparation for your 'semi-annual migration'. How I wish to be able to have experience♪
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | May 30, 2016 at 11:46 PM
What a great place for photos! I love the dragonfly a lot but those flowers are just gorgeous.
Posted by: bettyl-NZ | May 30, 2016 at 11:27 PM
Those are spectacular flowers and of course I like the butterflies!
Posted by: Linda, Shenandoah Valley | May 30, 2016 at 09:37 PM
Gorgeous flowers!
Posted by: Mama Zen | May 30, 2016 at 05:03 PM
These are so cheerful! The passion vine is fantastic. Thanks for lending your good eye.
Posted by: Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES | May 30, 2016 at 04:10 PM
Awesome photography ~ Sallie ~ my favorite is the bluejay on that curved branch ~ very creative!
Happy Week to you ~ ^_^
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | May 30, 2016 at 03:20 PM
beautiful summer scenes. love the passion flower.
Posted by: TexWisGirl | May 30, 2016 at 01:44 PM
What a fabulous collection of photos. Love the passion flower and monarch butterflies are a special favourite.
Posted by: fun60 | May 30, 2016 at 01:12 PM
A beautiful series of photos! Love the butterflies!
Posted by: Lea | May 30, 2016 at 01:08 PM
Beautiful flowers and GREAT Jay!! I like the color of the passion flower...but the plant if not kept controlled can be VERY invasive. At least in my opinion.
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | May 30, 2016 at 12:52 PM
Such beautiful nature! Love all the flowers and especially the butterflies. :)
Posted by: Halcyon | May 30, 2016 at 12:29 PM
So pretty - we're seeing flowers in my area too but nothing like those.
Posted by: Al | May 30, 2016 at 12:22 PM
Hello Salie,I enjoyed seeing all those pretty flowers & the butterflies are always a favourite of mine though I seem to scare them a way before I can snap any good photos!
Thanks for your visit again today & those flowers do look very similar. Here in Ireland we call the plant cow parsley, but I believe it is also known as Queen Anne's Lace which definitely sounds more elegant!
Have a great week!
Posted by: Christine | May 30, 2016 at 12:12 PM
It's nice to keep up on the bugs and blooms at this time of year in Florida. I'm glad something non-native is planted for a butterfly nectar source.
Posted by: Judith @ Lavender Cottage | May 30, 2016 at 12:10 PM
Hi Sallie, what a wonderful post! Such gorgeous flowers! The plant with white flowers is very pretty.
Your climate looks to be much warmer than ours. The plant in my photo, a bird cherry, is native to northern Europe and northern Asia. For us it's a symbol of summer. :)
Have a lovely new week!
Posted by: Sara - My Woodland Garden | May 30, 2016 at 11:48 AM
Hi there - nice post - woodpeckers, flowers and dragonflies!
Now - who went to sea in a beautiful pea green boat? Now have a look at my picture again - especially the picture behind the bed!
Stewart M - Glasgow(!)
Posted by: Stewart M | May 30, 2016 at 10:53 AM
Wow - so many exotic (for me) flowers! So lovely.
Posted by: Lady Fi | May 30, 2016 at 10:53 AM
Oh my goodness, Sallie! All the creatures that posed for you! You must have the knack of stalking:) Love the intricacies of the passion vine!
Many thanks for including this post with SEASONS -for sure you do NOT have a dull life! Thanks for the email bringing me up to date with things I only vaguely knew about:) Have a marvelous week, Jesh~
Posted by: Jesh StG | May 30, 2016 at 10:40 AM
Gosh! Love the Passion Vine. And the Monarch Butterflies and well the WHOLE park!
Linda
Posted by: Linda | May 30, 2016 at 10:18 AM
What a lovely walk - thank you for sharing what you saw and snapped, Sallie. Nice to know you will be out West for a while....
Posted by: Hildred Finch | May 30, 2016 at 10:07 AM
Fabulous flowers...so many of my favorites. And oh the monarchs! Safe travels....
Donna@GardensEyeView
and LivingFromHappiness
Posted by: Donna@Gardens Eye View | May 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Love the purple of the passion vine. Thanks for sharing. Sylvia D.
Posted by: Sylvia D. | May 30, 2016 at 09:54 AM
The beautiful dragonfly gave me a warm glow … it almost looks like a fairy. It could be a fairy that looks like a dragonfly! I want to believe. :))
About the fire in my neck of the woods. All 100 residents were unharmed and I suppose praying insurance and the kindness of their community will help them through.
Posted by: Penelope Postcards | May 30, 2016 at 09:00 AM
Gorgeous shots and beautifully creative display. Thanks for sharing. I linked my Red, White and Blue house. I hope you can visit me.
Posted by: Sherry | May 30, 2016 at 08:47 AM
What gorgeous photos!!! Thank you so much for sharing, Sallie, you just made my day! It is very hot and humid here in Montreal and your photos are so beautiful and refreshing.
Posted by: Linda | May 30, 2016 at 08:44 AM
Good morning. That Passion vine is so interesting. Hope you have a good relaxing day today! I was just wondering how much longer till you head back West and you answered my wondering...
Posted by: ellen b | May 30, 2016 at 08:15 AM
A terrific series, Sallie. I'll call it "Sallie's Series." I love the passion vine most of all. Don't ask me why. I just do. :) Have a great week!
Posted by: Lowell | May 30, 2016 at 07:26 AM
Wow! very beautiful and colourful flowers at the park.
Posted by: Rajesh | May 30, 2016 at 06:27 AM
You made the most of your walk. I love the dragonfly pic.
Posted by: Yogi | May 30, 2016 at 06:22 AM
Wow, when you start the day with that kind of floral display it's hard to let trivial little annoyances bother you for the rest of the day.
Posted by: David Gascoigne | May 30, 2016 at 06:15 AM
Love to see all the gorgeous flowers. Have a fabulous day!
Posted by: nancy chan | May 30, 2016 at 05:30 AM
Hello, Sallie! All the flowers are gorgeous. The Jay is handsome and pretty butterflies. I am sure you will be busy with your migration. Are you flying or driving? Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!
Posted by: Eileen | May 30, 2016 at 03:44 AM
loved to see the Crown flower :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | May 30, 2016 at 02:55 AM