The Lazy Naturalist

The Nature of Sarasota, Florida, & Beyond

Search Results for: egret

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

Few sights capture my heart quite like the graceful silhouette of the Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) gliding effortlessly across Florida’s wetlands. With their striking white plumage, delicate black legs, and brilliant yellow feet, these birds are a vision of elegance and beauty. Yet, beyond their stunning appearance, Snowy Egrets play a crucial role in the […]

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

In the serene and vibrant wetlands of Florida, the Great Egret (Ardea alba) stands as a symbol of elegance and grace. With its striking white plumage, majestic presence, and effortless poise, this bird has captivated the hearts of naturalists and nature lovers alike. Join me as we delve into the world of the Great Egret, […]

Babcock Ranch Reserve

Nestled in the beating heart of Florida’s wildlands, Babcock Ranch Reserve sprawls across 67,000 acres of pristine wilderness, mere miles from the buzz of Punta Gorda. As a naturalist venturing here in late October, you’re granted a front-row seat to some of Florida’s finest seasonal transformations. The dry air settles in as autumn’s crispness hints […]

Leffis Key (Sarasota, FL)

Leffis Key… for some reason, there are almost always interesting birds that hang out at the preserve and today I saw an American Redstart (in migration), and overhead were a couple of magnificent frigatebirds, which I rarely see this far north. They are common in the keys, and I have also seen them down at […]

Ringling Grounds (Sarasota, FL)

There are days when I walk into a place in Florida and feel—before even seeing anything—that the land has something to show me. Not merely a display or an exhibition, but a conversation, a story waiting in a shadow, a rustle, a shaft of light. The Ringling Museum Grounds in Sarasota—John and Mable Ringling’s sprawling […]

Red Bug Slough Preserve (Sarasota, FL)

The first thing you notice about Red Bug Slough Preserve is how improbable it feels. One moment you’re on Beneva Road—traffic lights, grocery stores, lawn crews—and the next you’re stepping into a pocket of old Florida, 70-ish acres of hammock, wetland, and water tucked right into the middle of Sarasota. (sarasotacountyparks.com) As a Florida naturalist, […]

Pinecraft Park (Sarasota, FL)

On some days, Pinecraft Park feels less like a city park and more like a tiny rainforest that somebody accidentally dropped into the middle of Sarasota. Tucked along the shady banks of Phillippi Creek and wrapped in the quiet hum of the Amish and Mennonite neighborhood around it, this little 15–20 acre patch of mesic […]

Urfer Family Park (Sarasota, FL)

If Sarasota had a beating green heart tucked inside its suburban chest, it would be Urfer Family Park—a 72-acre blend of pine flatwoods, wetlands, history, wildlife, and playful modern comforts, all stitched together in one of the most walkable nature parks in the county. It’s a place where families picnic, runners jog, toddlers conquer playgrounds, […]

American white ibis (Eudocimus albus)

Greetings, birdwatchers and nature lovers! Today, we’re setting our sights on one of Florida’s most charming and entertaining residents: the American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus). With their graceful movements and quirky behavior, these birds are the comedians of the wetland world, always ready to put on a show. So, grab your binoculars and prepare to […]

Raymond Road Loop (CF)

Location: Celery FieldsTrailhead (Google Plus Code): 8HG8+5H Fruitville, FloridaHike Length: 2 milesTime Estimate: one hourHabitats: WetlandsNotes: Lots of bird life! This is an easy walk around some of the best birding in Sarasota. Additionally, there are a variety of plants of interest.

Alligator Point (MRSP)

Location: Myakka River State ParkTrailhead (Google Plus Code): 6MWQ+H9 Myakka City, FloridaHike Length: 2 milesTime Estimate: 1- 1.5 hours Notes: Typically a very quiet trail with opportunities to see wildlife. Not the prettiest trail, but many things of interest as you walk next to a cattle ranch.

North Lido Key (LK)

Location: Lido KeyTrailhead (Google Plus Code): 8C89+J9 Sarasota, FloridaHike Length: 2.5 milesTime Estimate: two hoursHabitats: Coastal UplandNotes: Beautiful Beach and tidal areas

Bok Tower (Lake Wales, FL)

“Bok Tower — the Taj Mahal of Florida.” With a tag line like that, I didn’t expect much, but the gardens and the estate are beautiful, and well worth the 2+ hour drive to get us there. There are landscapes in Florida that feel like invitations—open-armed gestures from the natural world to slow down, breathe […]

Three Sisters Springs (Crystal River, FL)

There are a handful of places in Florida where the world seems to breathe differently—slower, cleaner, with a kind of crystalline patience that feels almost ancient. Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River is one of these places. It is the closest thing our wild peninsula has to a natural cathedral: clear water glowing like liquid […]

Lemur Foundation (Myakka City, FL)

We spent a few hours visiting the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Myakka City — totally great! There are certain days in the life of a Florida naturalist that sparkle brighter than the rest—days when the wild comes a little closer, when a creature from another hemisphere peers at you with curious golden eyes, and suddenly the world […]