The recent deluge of rain made St. Andrew’s State Park in Panama City a bit water-logged, flooding the lower section of hiking trails along Gator Lake. I was still able to get in a good walk and snapped a few shots around the high water. The tiny island in the middle of the lake was, as usual, brimming with nesting heron and ibis (Ibix? Ibises!).
A small family of cormorants, a mother and five juveniles, were paddling around among the reeds, but my loud Sasquatch feet scared them off before I could snap a photo.
The Spring Breakers were out in force, so I avoided the beach. Traffic was nuts. Within an hour, I saw two out-of-towners pulled over for speeding (I know they were speeding because they passed my car like I was sitting still – karma has her own blue-light special), and two more accidents with multiple emergency vehicles. Hopefully, there were no serious injuries.
You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.
(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)
For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.
Submitted to Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City
The reflection of those trees in the water is unbelievable. It seems you and I have similar feet.
That heron heaven reminds me of a recent trip to a bird sanctuary, Tara! And I am loving the “nesting” photo – that bird soaring. Beautiful! Thanks!
The reflecting trees are such a peaceful scene. I feel like I could sit on the edge of that lake and just absorb the serenity for hours!
It is a very beautiful spot, but serene, I don’t know… I’ve had two gator sightings there.
Gorgeous photos but YIKES on the tourists. It’s amazing to me the speed and the accidents I see on Florida highways regularly (so much more so than here in Chicago). I wonder if it’s the “we’re on vacation, nothing can happen to us” mentality or something else entirely. That has to be frustrating as a local… except for seeing the cars pulled over. HA to them.
Beautiful! I love the one of the trail. It leads you right down that path. Thanks for sharing.
I like the shot of the trail the best.
speeders pulled over are much better than emergency vehicles at an accident. Too many just don’t think about the danger they create.
We have still ice on top of the lakes/sea…it’s going to take time to snowless spring BUT it’s been sunny! and days are lighter and longer :)
Have a good week ahead!
The reflection shot of the trees is really beautiful. It all looks so calm and peaceful
Mollyxxx
It really was very peaceful. Except for the bird’s singing, there was little other sound. That quiet solitude is what I like most about my photo hikes.
Hopefully the traffic will get better. There is a justice after all.
Traffic around here is terrible during the height of tourist season, but you get used to it or avoid is as much as possible.
cheer up, it could have been SNOW!!! ;-)
That much rain would have made A LOT of snow.
I’m thankful it wasn’t snow, that may have closed the whole trail.
Love the line of trees with their reflection!
The water was so still, it was like a mirror.
These are terrific, Tara, and your header….incredible! :)
Thank you so much! I have a lot of beauty to work with when taking photos.
Beautiful photos! Maybe the traffic will ease off for next weekend’s hike.
I think it’s just going to get worse, but I know where all the best spots are, and which ones aren’t so crowded.