Crystal River Preserve State Park
Located on one of the primitive trails named Dixie Shores, the winding waters that sculpt the marshes are glimpsed through palms and palmettos.
A kayak and manatee share the blue-green waters of the Preserve State Park. This rotund gray seacow casts a curious glance up through the water.
Perched on a rocky karst outcropping at the edge of the Crystal River, a Great Blue Heron lends his profile of long legs and beak to the wet, calm scene.
A bottlenose dolphin keeping time with the Park tourboat begins a leap out of the water, leaving a cascade of frothy foam behind it.
A small male diamond-backed terrapin nuzzles next to a large female in a tidal pool of young mangroves. These brackish water turtles have spotted faces.
On a cooler fall day, an eight foot alligator can be seen soaking up the sun, while napping along the brackish waters during low tide on the Preserve.
A curious gray, masked raccoon peers out from the high branches of a persimmon tree, where he is caught snacking behind the Park's Visitor Center.
Two stately bald eagles perch high in a tree draped with Spanish Moss. They survey their marsh territory while calm blue skies await their next flight.
Two stately bald eagles perch high in a tree draped with Spanish Moss. They survey their marsh territory while calm blue skies await their next flight.
