Saturday, August 18, 2018

Hiking Halpata Tastanaki Preserve at Dusk!

I’ve always wanted to go to HTP and hike at sundown….just to see what we might see.

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Over the years we’ve seen deer, wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, wild turkeys, heard coyotes and owls and seen bob cat tracks….just to name a few ‘critters’.

And I thought maybe they all came out night.

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OK…let’s hit the trail!

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Well, of course it’s harder to get good photos in the dusky twilight.

But surprisingly, we didn’t see nearly as much as our day time hikes.

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A sweet little Downy Woodpecker.

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Great Blue Heron high overhead.

And many birds we saw but didn’t even get a chance to photograph.

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I thought if I hiked on stilts the horse flies couldn’t get me. But we didn’t have any trouble with bugs. (I sprayed as a precaution though)

And then as we turned around to leave…

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we saw a sun dog!

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That was worth the trip!

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The colors were amazing!

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Then the sun got lower in the sky.

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And we hiked out.

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It was only around 80 but the humidity was HIGH and there was NO breeze! So we were drenched with sweat when we finished at a little after 8 PM. But it’s pretty amazing to get any kind of hike in during the month of August in Florida!

How’s your weather this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

32 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I think I would prefer an early morning walk than later in the day. The heat feel exhausting. Love the heron in flight and the cute woodpecker. The sun dog and sky are a beautiful sight. Pretty sky photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thanks also for the comment on my blog.

MadSnapper said...

our temp was 93 feel like 111. yowsa. sweating just like you. I have never hiked at sundown, I prefer sunrise..because I am an early riser. they look just alike in photos, no one can tell except the person who took it. we had a 4 am racoon swimming in our pool today...

Susie said...

Diane, So sorry your were sweating in the horrid humidity...but oh those pictures were worth it. Well I thought so. :) I love seeing sun dogs. The shadow shot...Emma and I used to say we had giraffe legs. :) It's getting close to fall festival time around here. Our pork Fest will be the 1st weekend after labor day. That's when the hornets come around too. Yikes. Blessings to you for a fun weekend, xoxo, Susie

Arlene G said...

My hat is off to you Diane...hiking in the heat and humidity is draining. But the pictures yo got are beautiful.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I can not take the heat and humidity. So glad you got a hike in and those photos are so great.

Inger said...

You know I have never seen a tree with Spanish moss and I always enjoy seeing pictures of them. Thanks for that and for that glorious sunset. Thanks also for you comment, I'm glad I said something that made you happy. The weather, at least early in the morning here, has been very nice. The air is clearer, not as smoky.

Silver in AZ said...

I have never heard the term 'sun dog' before! And I'm big into sunsets!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Hiking with you is always fun as I don't even break a sweat-lol. Such pretty photos of the sun dog, Diane. I've always heard rain will be coming soon when we see one. Our humidity has been bad this week as well, so working in the garden is challenging. Have a nice weekend. ♥

Bill said...

You got some lovely captures of the woodpecker and the heron. The sky at the end of your hike is absolutely beautiful. Right now we are experiencing the remnants of tropical storm Ernesto, it is pouring out with some steady winds.

Hootin Anni said...

Loved seeing the sun dog with you! And the sky as dusk fell...beautiful!

Ann Thompson said...

What a beautiful place for a hike. Very cool seeing the sun dog . Its been warm and humid here but we did have some rain over night

Powell River Books said...

Sundogs are a "critter" of a different colour. - Margy

Ramblings of a Retired Lady said...

Your pictures were so pretty but sorry you were sweating so badly....heat and humidity can get ya! I had never heard of a 'sundog', so I learned something today.

Tom said...

...great spot, you sure are tall.

Terri D said...

Amazing photos! Wow!

Vee said...

very humid here, too... lots of rain, too...no herons or interesting hikes.

Linda said...

Great shots! Our weather has been hot, then rainy, then slightly cool.

A Colorful World said...

Beautiful sundog...a critter of a different kind!

Anni said...

.
.thanks for sharing this with us this week at I'd Rather B Birdin' . Love the woodpecker!

Betty J. Crow said...

Cute woodpecker. Love seeing the sun dog and the evening skies. I like evening walks, but not so much in August. Happy Sunday!

acorn hollow said...

very pretty I have never heard of a sun dog before. We have been very humid for us in NH I hate it but today is wonderful!
Cathy

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

You have some serious stamina.

I won't be hiking for a while.

Angela said...

Yesterday was pretty warm and humid here. It was a preparation for the rain we got during the night. We have 68 degrees now. You got a lovely place to walk there. Beautiful photos!

Linda said...

We have had hot and humid weather. Lovely walk

Gina said...

Diane, I am glad the bugs didn't bite you! I would love to see any or all of those animals. I've never seen an armadillo in the wild. Your photographs are so pretty.

It is still very warm here (low 90's and humid). Today we did get rain and I am hoping that things cool off.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

What a beautiful evening walk the two of you had and I always love looking at the pretty photos. It’s been hot, humid and thunderstorms here.
Hope you have a a nice week.
Julie

Nancy Chan said...

You still got plenty of nice photos especially the sunset. I prefer walking in the morning, the evenings here are to warm and humid!

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Siempre tan bonitas tus fotografías de la naturaleza!!!

Jeanie said...

Oh, a sun dog! Great envy. I've only seen a few and they dazzle. This is especially lovely!

Red Rose Alley said...

Isn't it funny how our shadow make us look so tall and slender? I just took a few pics of this tree at the park, and the shadow of my body showed up in the picture as well. I've never heard of a sun dog before, but it sure is pretty. That's awesome that you are able to go on a hike in the sweltering heat of August. Have to go back to your post and see that sun dog again. : )

~Sheri

Aunt Helen said...

Dear Diane, I love the Sun Dog, just as much as I love real dogs! That was a great capture, and you were fortunate to be at the right place at the right time. Sorry, I do not have any healthy snacks!!!

Jeannie said...

We got RAIN!!! Finally! The humidity has been insufferable and I have only gone outside at the crack of dawn. It will be changing soon and cooling down. I am ready for some pleasant mornings.

You were brave to endure the heat and go walking. The humidity exhausts me.

Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Lower Middle Tennessee