We stayed at a state park in Zephyrhills, very pretty and rustic. There was a river (Hillsborough River) that ran through the park and had a canoe launching area. People who’d been staying at the park for a while told us there was a large alligator in that area and it was seen taking down a full-size deer. We decided not to take a canoe out on the river!
We also saw a lot of birds. Mostly egrets which are very common in the swampy areas. We also saw other birds who stand in the shallow swampy areas and get fish and other small things to eat. One day we saw a hawk in a tree just above where all the egrets and other birds tended to gather, while he was up in the tree there were no birds standing in the swamp! Here are a few pictures of birds we saw right outside our campsite:
