Monday, November 2, 2015

Hiking the Florida trails

When we first moved to Florida, I lived for the days we spent at the beach. But it takes 2 hours to drive to our favorite beach and less than 10 minutes to some of the best hiking trails I’ve ever hiked.

So we can hike more often, especially now that it’s ‘less hot’.

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We’ve always loved Ross Prairie State Forest.

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It’s the first trail we hiked here in Florida and the closest to our house.

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What a bonus when we saw this 8 point buck come out of the forest, right toward us.

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It actually came so close, that it ‘spooked us’.

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But then it turned.

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And then it was headed back into the forest.

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AMAZING!!!

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Photos taken with my new Canon SX50 HD.

Thanks for asking Shug!

I’m joining Beautiful Sunday and

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday.

39 comments:

Shug said...

So much beauty in the outdoors.....all around us! You really captured some great shots of the moving buck....isn't he a beauty! What kind of camera were you using? Hope you have a wonderful day,..

eileeninmd said...

Hello, beautiful photos from your new camera. The buck is handsome. Looks like a great trail for hiking. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Cranberry Morning said...

I love being outdoors among God's beautiful creation! That looks like a great place to hike - and what a bonus, to see that deer. Amazing that it didn't bolt the minute it saw you!

ann said...

Great photos of the deer. You are very lucky to get so many good shots. I have said it before that I my vision of Florida is beach and sand and sea, but you have shown so much of the variety of the landscape; it really is beautiful.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a pretty place to hike. You got some great shots!

Primitive Stars said...

Morning, what a wonderful Buck, I am a deer lover, one of God's most beautiful I think.great pictures,Francine.

Diane said...

What a lucky "meeting"! Very beautiful!

Red Rose Alley said...

Diane,
You saw a DEER on your trail! I believe they are special animals, and every time I see one, I just stop and stare in amazement. Maybe this will be your lucky trail, and you will see many more wonderful things every time you walk it.

Happy November, Diane.

love, ~Sheri

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

That was an amazing close encounter :)

Pondside said...

Close encounters with the wild world are amazing, aren't they? You certainly got some great shots with your new camera - love the flash of white tail as the buck 'high tails it' away!

Linda Kay said...

Beautiful animal....I just don't think of deer in Florida.

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

What beautiful Florida photos! The deer is so amazing, coming close and not spooking. Lucky you living close by. I only ever saw the small key deer in Florida, and they were so cute. :)

Musings from Kim K. said...

I love seeing where your hikes take you. I never picture FL to be as wooded as what you share. Such beautiful scenery.

Patsy said...

Lucky you , I love it when I can just spot a deer on a drive.
Wonderful place where you live.

podso said...

I do think of Florida as being the beach not beautiful hiking trails such as you have shown. And I think of deer as being farther north, so two surprises today. We see deer every day here--once or twice, usually 6 or 7. If it was not an every day occurrence I would seeing them enjoy more!

Linda said...

It's strange but I associate Florida with the beach and find it strange you have to drive 2 hours to get to one. Love the hiking trails and you got some great photos with your new camera.

Jill said...

You were very close to the deer - great shots!

Donna said...

I can see why you love to hike...amazing. Lucky you to be so close to 2 wonderful spots...hiking trails and the beach.

Sam I Am...... said...

Be careful...it's rut season and they have been known to attack.

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Thats a heck of a nice buck. I had no idea you had deer in Florida.

Antiques And Teacups said...

How fun to have the buck so close! Beautiful! I am going camera shopping tomorrow...but it's gotta be an easy point-and-shoot with not many adjustments...Love your photos!
Ruth

doodles n daydreams said...

Quite amazing.

Diana

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

One of nature's beautiful moments and you had your new camera at the ready. How exciting to see this deer on your hike Diane.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Great photos!! Glad you got a new camera!
hugs,
Linda

Tomoko said...

What a beautiful woods and lovely deer. Here in my city, we have a large park called Nara park. More than 1000 tamed deer live there.I like to see wild deer too. So lovely.

NanaDiana said...

There is good hiking in Florida and most of the trails are pretty easy to navigate, too. IF I ever get back to FL on a part time basis I hope to live close to the ocean again. I do miss it. xo Diana

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Great photos....love deer.

Debby Ray said...

Awesome, Diane...what fantastic shots of that buck...just beautiful. I also have that camera and I am having lots of fun with it...mine is the SX40 though :)

20 North Ora said...

You have such gorgeous places to visit there. Thanks for sharing.

Judy

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Beautiful photos of the buck, Diane! I see many of them here, too, usually early in the morning or at dusk. This looks like a wonderful place to hike--i like all the trees!

BeachGypsy said...

Wow what an amazing moment!! So glad you had t
Your camera!!

valerietilsten59.blogspot.com said...

How lucky you were Diane to see the young buck.
Your photos are amazing.. I have a cannon G11.. not sure if they make it any more.
I am very happy with it.. just wish it had a longer zoom.
Super to have such lovely places to visit, parks and forests not too far away from home.
val x

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful photos of the deer! You are blessed to live where you can get out and enjoy nature's beauty. Have a beautiful day!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What a glorious deer - and great photos. You have such a good time when you go out - and I always love seeing photos of your beautiful area. Have a grand week my dear.

lilybets said...

beautiful friends from nature !

Mary Howell Cromer said...

How wonderful to have such a nice park so near your home. Those bucks are getting ready for rut season, so be careful. I have been missing ours in recent days...they are gathering in their harems~

Lorrie said...

Beautiful photos of the buck in the forest. Going to a park nearby is easier and it's so lovely, too. There's probably less wind in winter there than at the beach.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You did get some great shots of the buck - thanks for sharing them with us.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

We were so amazed to find so much woodsy nature when we first came to Florida ... But it is a huge part of why we keep coming back. I love this kind of walking.