Carol D Hughes Nature's World of Photography -

MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARKBACK TO SARASOTA

Myakka River State Park lies to the west of Sarasota.

It is a great place to see Alligators in their natural environment. You just have to remember that they are wild creatures and not as sleepy or relaxed as they appear - they have the ability to move extremely quickly when they wish! The park has several different types of habitat that provides homes for many species of birds, reptiles and animals.

You can stay overnight in the park either in an RV, one of the log cabins or camping. And, although I am sure you would see more wildlife at the crack of dawn, I am afraid it will take a bolder person than I to spend a night in a tent amongst free roaming alligators and snakes! (The Florida Panther is also reputed to visit here!)

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
(Alligator mississippiensis)

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
(Alligator mississippiensis)

ANGLEPOD BLUE FLAG
(Iris hexagona var. savannarum)

BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON
(Nycticorax nycticorax)

BLACK SWALLOWTAIL
(Papilio polyxenes)

BLUE DASHER
(Pachydiplax longipennis)

BLUE GRAY GNATCATCHER
(Polioptila caerulea)

EASTERN BLACK SWALLOWTAIL
(Papilio polyxenes)

FLORIDA FISH CROW (Corvus ossifragus)
FLORIDA FISH CROW (Corvus ossifragus)

FLORIDA SOFT SHELL TURTLE
(Apalone ferox)

LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)

LIMPKIN - JUVENILE
(Aramus guarauna)

MONARCH
(Danaus plexippus)

NORTHERN CARDINAL
(Cardinalis cardinalis)

OSPREY
(Pandion haliaetus)

RACCOON
(Procyon lotor)

RED SHOULDERED HAWK
(Buteo lineatus)

SANDHILL CRANE - ADULT & JUVENILE
(Grus canadensis)

TRICOLORED HERON
(Egretta tricolor)

TRICOLORED HERON
(Egretta tricolor)

TURKEY VULTURE
(Cathartes aura)

TURKEY VULTURE
(Cathartes aura)

VULTURE - BLACK
(Coragyps atratus)

WHITE TAILED DEER
(Odocoileus virginianus clavium)

WHITE TAILED DEER
(Odocoileus virginianus clavium)

WILD TURKEY - FEMALE
(Meleagris gallopavo)