The Neighborhood Pond at Sunset

 This is one of my favorite times to walk to the neighborhood pond.

Mourning Dove

I'm seeing a trend on my blog lately, the word 'favorite' is showing up a lot.

It's probably because I'm experiencing my 'favorites' again after a year of hard times.

The lighting can be odd at sunset so you never know what your photos will look like until you get back home.

Downhill Ducks

Canada Goose

Goose with the broken wing

Just a few favorite pics after a walk to the pond at sunset.

Magnolia bloom in a cube effect (a fav!)

Do you have a good place to walk near your house?

Try to get out when the sun goes down and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

The Golf course Parade

 

Are you imagining a home on the golf course?

With Canada Geese parading by?

Even a poor goose with a broken wing?

I've seen Canada Geese on the golf course before but this was the first time I've seen them followed by a flock of Florida Eastern Wild Turkeys.

Pretty fancy golf course with it's own zoo!

A good day to play golf?

Maybe not!!!

I've shown Golf Cart parades before at Christmas time.

And a Golf Cart parade on the 4th of July.

But never a Golf Course parade.

Discovering the real Florida....it's WILD!

Any parades at your house this week?

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Florida Greeneyes and other oddities

 When you get out in nature you are sure to see oddities!

The Florida Greeneyes really catches your eye! And it is endemic to Florida, meaning it is only found in Florida. 

I saw this Pawpaw plant on this same hike and it was unusual with the red center. Most of them have a pale cream colored center like the petal. I think this is a Wooly Pawpaw.

This hike took place on a section of the Florida Trails that runs through the whole state of Florida. I hike several sections from different trailheads. This trailhead is located on hwy 484 in Ocala.

It's fun to see something odd or unusual!

And imagine my surprise when a vehicle was headed my way on the trail, bearing down on me!

I laughed out loud!

It was a remote control truck and the owner was happy to tell me all about it.

It was so much fun that I was beginning to wonder if I could juggle my backpack, camera, hiking stick and a remote control.

What do you think?

Two red bellied woodpeckers, getting along! 

Enjoy your odd week. Get out there and go WILD!

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Life...which trail will you follow?

 

Many of you have followed my blog for close to 20 years now. How time flies and how much can change over the years.

 

But one thing I still cling to is my love of nature and the more 'natural' it is, the more at home I am. 

I started an evening hike at 49th Ave trailhead and was pleasantly surprised at how many people were taking advantage of a 'less hot' evening.

This is the trail I walked on.

And this is the one that 'pulled' me in. 

There are a lot of deer in this area so I was happy to see several on my hike.

This is actually the smallest Buck I have ever seen.

Don't you love his spikes!

They moved into the brush and those are my favorite photos!

They were browsing! 

I waved and took photos of this group of joggers. They were enthusiastic and I loved seeing them enjoying some time together on the Greenway.

It's still too hot to get out much but I can't resist one of those 'trails less traveled'.

Casa Viola News! 

A BIG shout out to Brent for painting my house this week and doing such a fabulous job! I enjoyed having you around and getting to know you better too! THANKS Brent!!!

What's new at your house this week? 

Stay cool, safe and calm!

Hugs, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Two trips to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon!

 There are so many great places to hike here in North Central Florida and I catch myself, saying 'OH...this is my favorite trail'. Is it OK to have more than one favorite?

A couple of weeks ago John and I spent some time at Blue Run Park. 

We'll go back soon for a longer hike but I just have to share the highlight of our stop at Blue Run Park.

Athena the Mermaid

Is there anything more delightful than meeting a real life mermaid?

She was delightful and the sweetest young lady you'll ever meet. 

And of all the 'sightings' I've had at Blue Run Park, this may be one of the most memorable!

A couple of months ago when my son, D. was here we spent a couple of hours at Blue Run Park and I got a lot more bird photos.

White Ibis

Limpkin

Moorhen

And my favorite, a Little Blue Heron!

This hike had a memorable moment too. My son shimmied up a tree and shook down some oranges.

I wasn't sure if an orange growing in the wild would be sweet but it was the sweetest orange I've ever tasted.

If you live in this part of Florida or want to visit, be sure to spend a day at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon. 

Check out the link HERE ! You'll love it! 

You just never know what you'll see!

Love, Diane  💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

The World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida

 

We may not have sandy beaches and seashells in this part of Florida but we do have The World Equestrian Center. It is the largest equestrian center in the United States and hosts horse shows, competitions and special events. 

It was fun to walk around and see the grounds and all of the beautiful sculptures.

The hotels and shops are over the top! 

I felt like a lady of leisure sitting in the lobby of one of the hotels, sitting by the blazing fireplace while it was in the 90s outside! haha! 

What a place to spend the afternoon!

I've driven by it many times but this was the first time I had spent time there and I enjoyed it. I would love to go back and watch one of the horse events.

Over the years, I've shared a lot of photos of the adjoining horse farms and the beauty of the land.

And if you are thinking that I am enjoying new things outside of my 'comfort zone'.

I went to a concert. Yes I did! 

An Elvis impersonators concert.

And guess what! It was awesome! 

The performers were all so talented and I fell in love with the music of Elvis all over again.

Have you done anything lately 'outside your comfort zone'? 

It's kind of scary, isn't it!

Love, Diane 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!