Wildlife – Page 9 – Wandering Dawgs

Sunsets and the Okefenokee Swamp

February 13, 2019March 14, 2019Posted in Georgia, Nature, RVing, State Parks, Sunset, Tourist Attractions, WildlifeTagged Alligators, Georgia USA, Laura S Walker State Park, Okefenokee Swamp Park, only in Georgia, Waycross GA10 Comments

We are off again on our first RV trip of 2019. Our first stop was Laura S. Walker State Park in Hoboken, Georgia. We were there during the weekend and the park was full of families enjoying their days off. The park was a perfect home base to explore the Okefenokee Swamp Park which is a short drive away.

Sunset at Laura S Walker State Park, Hoboken, GA

Crescent Moon over Laura S Walker State Park, Hoboken, GA

View from our campsite at Laura S Walker State Park, Hoboken, GA

During the last 12 years we have visited the Okefenokee Swamp several times from the southern end in Fargo. I posted about our last visit there at The Land of Trembling Earth It’s been over 40 years since we visited the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross. Our two young children were with us back then. Oh, the memories!

This well run and well maintained private park has been attracting visitors to the swamp since 1946. There are boardwalks with views of the swamp, a train ride, educational exhibits, and wildlife presentations which are all included in the entrance fee. For an additional fee, visitors can take a guided boat tour through the swamp.

Not all of the boardwalks were open when we were there. Some are closed due to the high water level caused by heavy rainfall in December and January. One of the boardwalks that is open took us by several American alligators in their native habitat.

American Alligators at Okefenokee Swamp Park

After seeing an interesting presentation on native reptiles of the Okefenokee we took the train ride through the swamp.

Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, GA

Cypress trees in the Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, GA

Trees are starting to bloom early

After so many visits to the Okefenokee Swamp in Fargo, it was fun to see it from a different location.

Breakfast In the Salt Marsh

January 20, 2019January 21, 2019Posted in Birds, Georgia, Nature, Photography, WildlifeTagged Coastal Georgia, Georgia Salt Marsh, Great Egret, salt marsh, White Ibis, winter19 Comments

When the tide is just right and the minnows in the water are plentiful, wading birds gather in the salt marsh in search of food. White Ibis, Egrets, Herons, and Wood Storks can often be seen feeding side by side in the marsh.

This morning my husband got my attention to show me a long line of white birds lined up on the railing of our neighbor’s dock. By the time I got my camera ready many of the birds had flown down into the marsh but there were still a few white ibis and great egrets surveying the area before diving in to eat.

20190120--morning-birds-(1) — White Ibis searching for breakfast in the salt marsh

20190120--morning-birds-(13) — Great Egret

20190120--morning-birds-(25) — White Ibis

20190120--morning-birds-(11) — Great Egret

It’s always entertaining to watch the white ibis as they feed. Usually there is a large group of them poking their long beaks under the water to capture fish. Suddenly, all of them will start wading through the water in the same direction in search of more food. They don’t stay long in any one place. Eventually, they tire of the area and fly off in search of better fishing grounds.

20190120--morning-birds-(77) — Ibis dining in the salt marsh

20190120--morning-birds-(17) — White Ibis dining in the salt marsh

I never know when I’m going to stumble across flocks of birds in the marsh but it’s always a treat when I see them. I was lucky to see them this morning and was glad to have my camera nearby.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center

September 12, 2018Posted in Georgia, Photography, WildlifeTagged cougar, gray wolf, Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Photo Challenge, Photo Inspiration, red fox8 Comments

Located near downtown Savannah, The Oatland Island Wildlife Center of Savannah is a wonderful place to view animals native to Georgia. Sadly, the center is currently closed after a tornado tore through the center in July, 2018. All of the animals were safe but many of the structures sustained damage.

When the center is open, there are many educational programs for students. For more information about the center please visit their website.

A few years ago we took our two oldest grandkids to Oatland Island to see the animals. It was such a great day we returned for a second visit a couple of months later.

Red-tailed Hawk

20140627Oatland-Island-(35) — Broad-Headed Skink

20140823Every-Step-Counts-Oatland-Island-(13) — Alligator

20140823Every-Step-Counts-Oatland-Island-(21) — Cougar

20140823Every-Step-Counts-Oatland-Island-(35) — Gopher Tortoise

Inspired by Ingrid’s Wandering Wednesday – Zoo

Bald Eagles of Alaska

August 16, 2018Posted in Alaska, Birds, Nature, Photography, RVing, WildlifeTagged Bald Eagle, Photo Challenge, Wandering Wednesday16 Comments

Five years ago we were wandering around Alaska in our RV. As we traveled I was always on the lookout for wildlife and we saw plenty of it.

Along with the many land and sea animals, I enjoyed seeing the birds. The Bald Eagles were my favorite and there were more Bald Eagles than I’ve ever seen anywhere else. We saw them perched in trees, soaring overhead, and even in a nest in front of the Homer Post office. The most unusual sighting was seeing one fly right beside the truck as we drove along the Homer Spit. I was so busy watching him keep up with us that I didn’t get a chance to take his picture!

He was looking at me — Bald Eagle on Ninilchik Beach

Bald Eagle at Chilcoot Lake State Park, Haines, AK

20130621Day-37Fjordland-to-Juneau-(177) — Bald Eagle in the Lynn Canal between Haines and Juneau

20130621Day-37Scale-Eagle — Bald Eagle in tree beside Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal

Mama and Baby Eagles across from Homer Post Office — Mama and Baby Eagles in Homer

Eagle soaring over bluff at Russian Orthadox Church in Ninilchik

Pair of Eagles — We spotted this pair of Bald Eagles as we cruised by on a wildlife and glacier cruise from Valdez

Inspired by Ingrid’s Wandering Wednesday photo prompt – birds

Favorite Alaska and Canada Wildlife Photos

June 13, 2018Posted in Alaska, British Columbia, Road Trip, RVing, WildlifeTagged Bald Eagle, black bear, Grizzly, Humpback Whale, Live Laugh RV, moose, Orca, Photo Inspiration, Puffins, Stellar Sea Lions43 Comments

Five years ago this week we were on the road to Alaska from Georgia. Once we crossed the border into Canada, I spent every day looking for wildlife. There were many “WOW” wildlife sightings in both Canada and Alaska.

I’ve been thinking about posting some of my favorite wildlife photos from the trip and today I finally got the boost I needed to put it all together. When my friend Ingrid at Live, Laugh RV posted that the theme for her very first Wednesday photo inspiration was wildlife, I immediately started going though the thousands of photos from the trip.

If you would like to participate or see other posts inspired by Ingrid, click on over to Ingrid’s post Wandering Wednesday.

Here are just a few of my favorite wildlife photos from our Canada and Alaska adventure.