It's a Jungle Out There...

Not speaking metaphorically (at least not here on this blog)   -- only about the great outdoors.  Specifically, several of our favorite nearby places to walk. They call them swamps or sloughs or just nature preserves around here, but they are about as close to a jungle as I'll ever get.  

 

 It's beautiful and quiet out there, but it can seem a little closed in -- almost claustrophobic, especially to anyone used to wide open spaces.  

But then you come to a clearing where the beautiful blue sky magically appears.   Bright and clear, even when you look down.

And there are  birds .. everywhere if you pay attention:     

Look up:  

 

 There's a Florida Wood Stork looking like the King of the Hill!

Look Across:

 

 

Spot something bright red through all the greenery ... It's a Red-Bellied Woodpecker finding a meal in an almost fallen tree.

 

Look Down:

A Green Heron patiently waits for dinner to swim by

Once in a great while, I'm even able to identify some of the plant life:

 

These are Resurrection Ferns -- the top row looking their best (from April last year) and in the second row  unresurrected  in February this year.  But they will come back -- fittingly, right around Easter Time.

Yes, our Jungles are full of life and beauty when you look for it.  

Tri-Colored Heron, Six Mile 

 

Anhinga, Loop Road, Big Cypress 

Limpkin, Six Mile

And of course if you're walking in the jungle,  you better be looking down for your own safety, eek: 

 

This is a Cotton Mouth, one of  Florida's poisonous snakes.   (We were actually on a Board Walk well above this sleeping creature. )  Too bad about the branch spoiling a perfect shot, but we certainly weren't about to move it.

One more picture to end on a pretty note.   At first glance, Limpkins are an unassuming brown bird, but this close-up shot I think shows that they're quite handsome with their interesting feather pattern.  

 

 

I'm grateful to have there are quite a few places near us conserving nature and animal life.  I hope the work continues.

 

Linking to the following sharing opportunities, with thanks to the hosts:

NATURE NOTES; MOSAIC MONDAY;  THROUGH MY LENS;   MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY  and SATURDAY CRITTERS;

 

Comments

[Traude "Rostrose"]

Dear Sally, natural places like these—whether you call them jungles, primeval forests, swamps, sloughs, or nature preserves—are simply irreplaceable and priceless. Let's hope they remain preserved and protected even in jungle-like times like these. All the life you show in them is precious — even the snakes we fear (and I can VERY WELL understand why you didn't want to remove the branch 😉) have a purpose in this forest, in this world, and I know you know that too. (Unfortunately, not everyone knows...) Your photos are wonderful and remind me of many jungles I've experienced in my life.
I wish you and everyone important to you a happy Easter!
🌷🐇🐥🐣🌸🐔🐤🐰🌷
All the best, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/04/weltreise-2024-reisegarderobe- resume.html

[Michelle Banks]

Hi Sallie...wetlands are so important to wildlife. I do love green herons and see them once in a while here. I am so concerned about people and wildlife that every single day reveals some additional horrific act. ,,Michellle

[John's Island]

Hello Sallie! What a wonderfully vivid walk through your not-so-metaphorical jungle! I could almost hear the rustle of the leaves and the calls of those birds. There’s something so magical about those sudden clearings where the sky opens up — like nature giving you a deep breath. I love your mention of the Resurrection Ferns too — what a poetic and hopeful name, especially with their comeback timing near Easter. Your appreciation for the quieter, wilder places always makes me want to slow down and look closer. Thanks for sharing your blog and for your kind comments on mine! Wishing you a happy weekend and week ahead. John

[timelesslady]

Your jungle filled with birds and beautiful plants looks like a paradise to me...except I might leave the cottonmouth out in that assessment. I've never seen one in person out in the wild, I hope I continue that way. lol.

[Linda]

Beautiful series of photos. Amazing colours and water reflections.

[Leslie Hayes]

Lots of wonderful bird pictures. I also love the picture where the clouds are reflected in the water. Really pretty.

[Michelle Keltner]

Lovely area and I like the photo with the reflection in the water. The snake is a no from me! lol But, I will take all of those beautiful birds. Thank you for linking up and have the very best week ahead.

[Jm, Illinois, U.S.A.]

You are brave to take a picture of a Cotton Mouth snake. Mine would not be in focus. LOL! This jungle was a cyber adventure for me. Thanks for sharing these moments with the bloggers today.

[Lisa]

The swamp looks a beautiful place to walk. Your bird shots are wonderful but, yikes, the snake!

[Lavender Dreams]

I love the swamps here in Florida and when a Limpkin or Pileated flies by it REALLY sounds like a jungle! You got some amazing photos of the birds you saw. And I hate snakes but they love these places too. Enjoy your weekend! We just got home from camping and had a wonderful trip. Hugs, Diane

[breathtaking]

Hello Sallie :)

The swamp area does look like a jungle but the clearing, and the reflection of blue sky and white clouds in the water is beautiful, and all the variety of birds are a treat to see. I would be estática if I had seen so many different birds, all beautiful in their own way. The Anhinga, Limpkin, and Tri-coloured Heron, are wonderful captures The Resurrection Fern looks pretty even before it unfurls I enjoyed looking at your photos of the wildlife Sallie which I am pleased to know is protected.
All the best
Sonjia.

[Eileen]

Hello, Sallie
The swamp and its wildlife are beautiful to see.
I love the plants, the pretty birds and even the snake.
I am glad the snake was a distance away, you were safe.
I am happy to hear the area is protected! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend.

[mae]

Seeing those birds is really a treat. We had some great views of limpkins on one memorable birdwalk in your area years ago. Have fun with your photos.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Calendula]

Gorgeous jungle! Thank you for sharing!

[Mr Stewart Monckton]

So full of wildlife! Got to love a swamp/ wetland / marsh!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

[Photo Cache]

Snakes and crocs - I hate them, I mean I'm scared of them.

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Good shots.

[Joyful]

Stunning. The reflective photo is special.

[Debbie]

sallie your wildlife images are beautiful. the green heron and the lily pads were my favorites. i am so happy to be seeing you again!!

[Beatrice]

What a wonderful assorting of birds or perhaps the correct term is shorebirds, I am never sure. When we lived on the VA eastern shore we would see egrets herons and now I can't recall all the other bir names.

[Peter B.]

So much beautiful wildlife in your "jungle" (it looks like a jungle to me as well). The Resurrection Ferns look interesting, and what a treat to see a Cotton Mouth (from a distance)!

[Yogi]

I grew up out west and we didn't have bayous, or sloughs, or swamps. When I moved to southeast Texas I fell in love with all the watery places after living in arid climates my whole life.

[Soma @ InkTorrents.com]

Wonderful photos and I really loved reading about them too. Thanks so much! It is so great to be able to explore nature preserves. You are absolutely right, I found Limpkins to be very handsome as well.

-Soma

[DeniseinVA]

Florida has an amazing selection of wildlife and fauna, as you have shown in your photos. Thank you for sharing such a lovely window to look through in this post and a very happy April to you Sallie.

[🌷🌷🌷 Heidrun]

Oh, I understanding very well your love for the nature there, dear Sallie. And I think, we should take care of this area very urgent.

...but I fear the snakes too. Or alligators...

Many thanks for sharing at MosaicMonday and for your lovely comment.

Have a wonderful week. Hugs by Heidrun

[Deb Nance at Readerbuzz]

Thank you for taking us along on this walk through the jungle out there---safely, oh so safely! I think the Limpkin is my favorite.

[Alycia Quilts]

Wow - that is a super cool jungle, snake and all. Glad you were up high tho - I might have screamed if I was too close. Those birds are amazing!

[Amy]

oh no snakes, definitely something we don't have here but I like all the birds though

[Taken For Granted]

Sallie, I love seeing your wonderful bird photos. You have a number of birds that do not make it this far north, but a few that do. I never see Linpkin, or Anhingas, or tricolor Heron. So I appreciate your photos.

[Veronica Lee]

Love the photos and your take on these "jungles"! The birds are amazing – that Florida Wood Stork really does look like King of the Hill! Also, those Resurrection Ferns are such a cool sight to see coming back to life. That Cottonmouth pic gave me a little scare, though! So glad these places are being protected – nature is beautiful when you stop and look. 🌿🐦

[hena]

So many great animal pictures.

[ellen b.]

What beauty you observed looking up and looking down. Love the beautiful reflections you captured and the rings of light and water on that heron shot! So pretty. Glad you can get out and about and enjoy the Jungle of beauty in your neck of the woods!

[Lorrie Orr]

There are so many beautiful birds where you live in Florida, some of which I've never seen. The photo of the lake with the lily pads and the blue sky above is so pretty.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wow! Sally ~ beautiful 'jungle' with all of nature's treasures ~ great photos too ~ hugs,

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Hazel]

Great set of bird pics. In UK Midlands, we still have night frosts and gales, though the next few days should be almost a mini heatwave.

[Shiju Sugunan]

Beautifully captures! The contrast between the dense jungle and the open sky, along with the vibrant wildlife, is stunning.

[magiceye]

Marvelous photographs!