A deer trail, a deer track and a deer tail!

 

I've got them all in this one post!

Two days after I saw the majestic 8 point buck in the previous post, I saw another one!

I was about 10 miles away on a different trail and caught sight of a deer in the brush.

I got off the trail (taking my first photo while walking!) and followed a deer trail.

The buck stopped and took a few steps toward me to warn me to go no farther.

Behind him, was his whole family!

7 deer....which included this precious fawn!

What a neat sighting!

I took a close up of each of the 8 point bucks to see them side by side and they are definitely two different deer.

There goes the tail behind a tree! 

Lots of wildflowers blooming at this time of year.

The Dotted Horsemint is one of my favorites.

It has the best minty scent.

This one isn't quite as pink but it shows the dots better.

It's a beautiful time to get out in the woods here in Florida!

Come on down!

Great White Egret high in the sky!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Fairytale Forest

 

Let's walk on Scrub Jay Way today!

It's a trail that I take often and one I named myself. 

And indeed I DID see Florida Scrub-Jays on this hike but they flew past and when a bird flew out of the scrub it was this very handsome Mockingbird.

I also saw the elusive Rufous-sided Towhee and a Dove.

But lets get back to the fairytale part of this hike.

Yes, it's this beautiful 8 point buck in the trail ahead of me.

I was almost back to the Jeep when I saw something BIG in the trail ahead.

So I stopped and zoomed in to see what it was.

I felt honored to see this regal White-tailed deer.

And feel thankful to have walked at a slow pace that particular day, so slow that he wasn't scared away until I decided to start toward him.

And off he leaped into the scrub.

This is a hike to be remembered!

Another wonderful adventure on the Florida trails!

On to the next!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

A 'Half a Hike'!

 A 'half a hike'? Is that proper English? Or just Southern slang?

I drove out to the Pruitt Trailhead but instead of going down to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, I parked in the regular parking lot and hiked the Florida Trail.

It was a glorious morning with temps in the 70s and a light breeze.

Out into the sunshine!

And when I got there, I was the only one there! (when I left there were 2 other vehicles with bike racks)
Since the two hurricanes blew through Florida, the birds have flown in!

All summer, I thought there were fewer birds but now they are everywhere in great numbers!

Not sure what this small bird is but I loved it's little feetsies! 

I walked behind some wild turkeys gobbling all the way....I mean THEY were gobbling, not me. I didn't even get a photo! But there were birds in every tree and the Swamp Sunflowers were in full bloom.

One of my best sightings was this female Blue Grosbeak.

She posed....

and posed 

and I was thrilled to get so close to her.

Another beautiful bird was this Northern Harrier.

I'm not sure what this wildflower is but it looks like a bouquet waiting to be placed in a vase!

But of course I'll leave it for the butterflies and bees!

Gulf Fritillary 

Dragonfly

Time to turn around at the FT sign!

We'll save the second half for next time!

I'm going to take a couple of weeks off to enjoy the season!

Are you seeing more birds where you live now too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Aliens from outer space....close to home!

 The 'close to home' part of my title concerns our weather.

With the storms this month we've hiked close to home and went on a camping trip close to home.

The Alien?

Don't you love this beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly?

He was very photogenic and stayed around long enough for me to shoot a whole roll of film!

I guess back in the days of film cameras, I wouldn't have gotten this many photos!

The month of October has been stressful from the storms and restful with the camping trip.

And I won't complain about staying close to home.

Our weather has at least been good for the mushrooms! Lots of moisture, heat and humidity!

Hermit Thrush taken at Ross Prairie State Forest

We didn't have any damage from Hurricane Milton! I'm keeping everyone who did in my prayers. And we continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Helene. It's been a tough Fall for this part of the country! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

The Blue Grosbeak at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

 Finally!

I've driven out to HTP once a week for months now and finally saw the Blue Grosbeak!

I saw two of them which was a thrill.

They are at the preserve every summer but this year I went all summer before I spotted them.

I was at the end of my hike and they flew right across the trail in front of me.

I get so excited seeing something special like this.

A photo of what I call 'the view' along the trail.

It's always beautiful out there and you always see something special.

I like to look through the trees at the view too!

This little Downy Woodpecker was very cute climbing up and down on this tree.

I also saw an Eagle on my drive over, but I'll have to share more Woodpecker photos today. 

One day I drove out to the Shangri-La trailhead and parked next to this persimmon tree.

It was loaded with fruit!

Have you ever eaten a persimmon? Pucker up! 

We haven't really turned the calendar to 'Fall' here but change is in the air!

We are heartbroken to see the horrific damage caused by Hurricane Helene in so many places. We lived in Asheville, Hendersonville and the small mountain town of Hot Springs, NC for many years and it is devastating to see the damage. And of course worrisome to know so many people are suffering. My prayers are for all those affected. Our relatives that live there are safe. But we appreciate your continued prayers. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !