I know it’s not what you think of when you think of Florida but it’s one of our favorite winter outings. We head for the Ross Prairie State Forest near our house. The trails are so flat and easy to walk so you can really stretch your legs and have a good hike.
It usually takes us about 2 hours.
There are stops for bird watching. (and anything I think looks like a neat photo)
This is an Eastern Towhee and a bird we don’t often see.
Pinecones to take photos of…
several different species.
Some only found in Florida.
More info HERE.
When we started our hike last weekend, it felt cool. But the 60s warmed to the 70s by the time we finished and I was stuck carrying my denim shirt!
Of course you pick up the pace when you see ‘monsters’ in the forest!
I’m joining Beautiful Sunday,
and Amaze me Monday!
I hope it warms up where you live so that you can get out and stretch your legs!
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43 comments:
Good morning and thanks for taking me along on your hike! How pretty. It's funny, I don't think of Florida having forests. Love those pointy pine cones and I'd run too if I saw a monster like that! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Lovely set of photos, and I really like those pinecones. We have minus 15 degrees this morning: no walks in the country for us. LOL!
Boy looks like a wonderful, colorful walk! I cant waiy! Enigh of the black and white up here! Enjoy your day!
Nice that you and your husband enjoy walking together. I loved your collage pics. I seem to always be on the look-out for spiders when I am in that much greenery. :) xoxo,Susie
Good morning, what a gorgeous place for a hike-and so perfect that it is close by. I am so ready for a long hike-your photos remind me that spring is just up ahead. Kathy
Your post reminds me that we Northerners will have Spring! Love the hike!
Hugs,
Deb
that looks AWESOME! thanks for letting us tag along - i need a good walk!
Diane,
Your nature walk sounds wonderful. And those pine cones - I've never seen those before! They are interesting. Nature is one of my favorite places to be.
Have a peaceful Sunday.
Love,
~Sheri
Wow looks like New England,did not know Florida had hiking trails? ...lucky you!
Thinking warm thoughts as the snow continues in my little part of the world. Love all your pine cone varieties.
Oh my goodness, I hope it warms up here so I can "escape" this house soon, too! We are covered with snow and ice here in Portland.
What a wonderful walk! LOL, for a minute there, I thought that was a moss-covered alligator!
It is beautiful here today and I'm hoping to get out and take some photos later!
Hello from Wintry Michigan. I would give anything to be able to go for a lovely walk in the woods. Interesting Monster. LOL Thanks for sharing. Hugs Judy
We hike around our pond every evening over here in Louisiana. Always something to see. And great exercise! Happy Sunday! Linda@Wetcreek and Wetcreek Museum Blogs
Beautiful area! Hmmm, not so sure about your monster!
As a kid we used to "hike" (read that as take walks) thru the woods that were part of my grandfather's land -- in the tiny town of Bascom which was practically in Alabama!! A real treat for a city girl!
Looks like a great place to walk. And your header looks just like Lavender Dreams, so pretty.
Oh how I would love to go hiking there right now. We haven't seen the sun in days!
Doesn't look like FL to me either. How neat! Very nice pics too!
Beautiful things of interest on your walk. I appreciate walking on level ground, too. Love the monster!
This looks like a very beautiful and also relaxing hike. Bird watching is always welcome! I like the Eastern Towhee - we have California Towhees here, and I always love to watch them.
I am SO ready to go hiking again. It's been way too long.
I love Florida!
In my wildest dreams I can't imagine how wonderful that would be to enjoy that kind of warmth in FEBRUARY!! I didn't know there were different kinds of pine cones -- your pictures are lovely and help us up North remember what's hiding underneath all of this snow HAHA!
Wonderful photos of your forest walk Diane. I like the unique looking pinecones and the monster. :) I hope you have a good week ahead and warmer temperatures.
A beautiful place for a walk, even with the monsters:)
Enjoy your week
That looks like a wonderful place to hike, Diane. You are blessed to be living in that warmth and sunshine. Great MONSTER shot at the end there, too! xo Diana
It must be pretty nice if you had to carry your denim shirt - just send some of that warmth up here, please!
Diane, what an interesting place to hike and take photos! Love the pine cones, such amazing shapes! That certainly DOES look like some kind of monster or giant caterpillar of sorts! Thanks for taking us along; it was a fun outing!
Have a wonderful week, sweetie!
Poppy
Diane, thank you for sharing your pictures. The first one is my favorite. The trees look magical!
You and me both! I'm so sick of winter.
Brenda
We would have to have snowshoes on to walk through our Back 6 right now. :) Love your photos from the walk. Looks like a perfect spot to get some exercise and enjoy nature!
Not warming up here yet. We got more snow today and really cold temps...but I heard that it is going to warm up into the 50's in about 2 weeks.
Beautiful pictures from your walk!!
hugs,
Cindy
I am so envious of you getting to hike. What a lovely place. I cannot wait for the weather to break so I can get out too!
Always a joy to go on a hike with you Diane. Looks splendid!
That looks like a great walk and the shrubbery in fact reminds me of the vegetation here in Spain. There is nothing like getting out for a good walk to blow the cobwebs away!!
It is a glorious sunny day here but the gale force winds spoil it completely!
I long for spring!!!
keep well
Amanda :-)
I would love to take a walk there. The forest is pretty place to walk and the birds sightings are a plus too. Lovely images. Have a happy week!
I know, it's very unseasonable cold and icy here and I usually can walk all winter but not this year. If this keeps up I'll have to get a tread mill! It's more the ice than the cold as I used to walk in below zero weather up North and it never bothered me. I love the places you visit and thanks for sharing.
Love hiking along with you, Diane! I did get out to walk today and it was awesome! Must be nice hiking down in bautiful Florida, watch out for those critters though!
Hi there name mate! And yes, I needed that 2 hour hike. I haven't been exercising again. I need to get punished hahaha But with such a beautiful view, I can endure more hours of walking :)
Thank you for forever linking up. Have a great week ahead!
That looks like a wonderful hike. Lots of great photos. And it looks nice and warm there. Enjoy!
Hugs~
Hi there! Thank you for visiting me and following my blog. I love Florida so much too. Your hike looked like great fun. I am now following you too!
Blessings,
Amy JO
Oh Diane, you make me sooooo jealous! We are bracing for yet another storm tomorrow night into Thursday. I can't take it any more! Aside from it just being inconvenient, we lose soooooo much money. :(
That 'monster' looks very realistic! What a fun walk and a lovely place to relax and take in all the beauty Mother Nature bestows upon us.
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