12.8.24 Wakulla Springs State Park, FL (I)

   From 12.5.24-12.11.24 my father, brother and I drove from Chicago, IL to St. Marks, FL and back. This is part of Day 4. 

See all of the Florida trip posts at the Florida trip 2024 page.    

A White Ibis standing on some tangled roots with hanging branches and vines around it. There are three Poison Ivy leaves in front of the Ibis. The Ibis's beak and the Poison Ivy both have light shining behind them and are slightly translucent. There are a few green plants around, and there is green and white lichen on a large root in the foreground.

A White Ibis coming in for a landing in front of a boardwalk over water. The boardwalk is white, and the ripply water is reflecting that color.

A White Ibis standing in the water. It's facing left, and a drop of water is clinging to the tip of it's beak. It is surrounded by ripples and is looking shocked.

A White Ibis taking off. The water below it is dark and it's flying away. Water droplets fly from it's feet.

A White Ibis eating a freshly-caught crayfish. The Ibis is facing you head-on, and it looks... odd. The red skin on it's face and around it's eyes gives it's eyes a bulging look, while simultaneously making them look tiny. It's beak is open to hold the crayfish, making it look even more surprised. It is standing in the water near the bank, among tall green grasses.

Two White Ibises on the grassy shore of Wakulla Springs. Algae floats on the water. The left Ibis stands in the water, hunting for more crayfish, while the right one looses it's balance. The right one's wings are partially extended, and it stands with on foot in the water and one on the shore.

Two White Ibises standing next to each other. The left one has one foot in the water and one lifted for a step. The other one is standing tall on the bank, arched over to inspect the water. The left one's beak is shorter and more severely curved, while the right's is longer and straighter.

A White Ibis climbing down roots to the water. The water is not visible in this photo. A few green plants are around the Ibis, and there are many light blue, white, and green lichens on the largest roots and trunks.

A White Ibis standing on the shore. There is a lot of green plants for December. The Ibis is facing towards you, head turned to the right side of the picture to look at you with it's right eye. It's body is almost perfectly aligned to face right at you, so it looks like a rectangle with curved edges.

One White Ibis flies right on the right side of the screen, over the water. On the left side, two Ibises forage in the background. There are green bushes on the shores, and the ripply water reflects the green-ness.

A White Ibis standing in a Bald Cypress tree, looking at you with one eye. There is Spanish Moss on the thin branches of the tree, replacing the already fallen, needle-like, leaves. A couple seed pods and leaves remain on the tree.

White Ibis standing at the top of a different, much smaller Bald Cypress than the last photo. There are many seed pods on this tree. The Ibis is slightly crouched down and has its head towards you. There is blue sky behind it.

12 White Ibises sitting in leafless Spanish-Moss-covered trees. 10 of them stand in a right tree, while the other 2 stand in a bigger tree on the left. There are green, brown, and bare trees behind.

A White Ibis standing in a leafless, Spanish-Moss-covered Bald Cypress, with one foot up. The Ibis has its neck curled up, and it's facing to the left. The trees behind it are similarly covered in Spanish Moss, though they have some orange-brown leaves left on them.

Two White Ibises walking through tall green plants, partially obscured. One is walking left and is closer to you. Its face is fully visible, though its body and beak are mostly hidden by plants. The second Ibis is farther from you and farther right than the other Ibis. This one is barely visible over a particularly thick collection of plants. It is walking left, but also away from you.

A White Ibis standing in dark water, one foot up to take a step. There are green and brown mixed plants behind it. Its reflection is blurred by the ripples of it moving. It is standing on the left of the photo, walking right.

A White Ibis standing on the edge of the water at the left of the frame, facing right. On the right, an American Alligator lies on the bank, resting. Green reeds surround the Alligator, partially obscuring it. The Ibis stands on a mostly clear part of the shore, with short grasses. Brown and green water plants stretch across the foreground

A Great Blue Heron stands in a thicket of green and brown water plants that are about shoulder-height for it. It is facing to the right, neck extended. The shadows of a few plants paint themselves across its body.

A Great Blue Heron landing in mostly-obscured water. It's wings are partially outstretched, and its back and head feathers are messy from wind. It faces away, towards the shore. Behind it are water plants, and in front of it are the base of a Bald Cypress tree, reeds, and vines.

A Great Egret standing in dark, reflective water. It is facing right with its head partially submerged as it brings its head back up from an unsuccessful jab for fish. Water clings to its head and droplets fly everywhere. There are red and green water plants behind and around it, with brown reeds mixed in. It's reflection is blurry from the ripples of its hunt.

An adult Little Blue Heron stands behind a few tall green plants, bent over to watch for fish. There is water behind it and green plants in front of it. It is facing left and its blue feathers pop out of the green-and-brown landscape.

Two Great Egrets in tall grasses near water. The left one is landing and the right is slightly tilted away, as though offended. They both face away, their heads obscured. The wide roots of a Bald Cypress stand on the far right, while on the far left, an unidentifiable tree is hidden under Spanish Moss. A small, leafy sapling also stands on the left, out of focus.