Saturday, May 28, 2016

Summertime Hiking at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

It's too HOT! lol But we have managed to work a few hikes in lately. We walked at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve on Mother's Day. (#30) It was in the 70s when we started but when we finished an hour and a half later, the clouds had parted and the sun had warmed us into the 80s! TOO HOT!!!

 

But of course it's always wonderful to get out in nature and enjoy the sights and see the beauty of the Preserve.

 

We got a good view of this Rufous Sided Towhee. He was way up in a tree but at least he stayed put long enough to get a few photos.

 

These are common in the mountains of NC so it was nice to find them here in central Florida too. They have a distinctive song and we spot them on the ground under the trees quite often at the Preserve.

 

You can see that the trail is getting quite grown up already. 

 

And aren't the wildflowers along the trail pretty.

 

Let's look back up one more time to see this amazing bird.

 

Enjoy the holiday weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE
and I’d Rather B Birdin’.




27 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Oh, yeah, beautiful but hot to hike! You can hardly see that path now...and I am sure it will fill in more as summer progresses. Do you see other people hiking while you are out there? Great shots of the bird. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. xo Diana

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I hope you are walking during the cooler times of the day. If that is possible. I remember walking in the hot sun on the trails in Florida, I think I would be ready to jump in a cold pool or shower. I love your pretty Towhee, it is a gorgeous bird! Great photos! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

Primitive Stars said...

Morning Diane, I always enjoy my hikes with you, thanks for letting us tag along. Love the Tohee, such a neat bird.Blessings Francine.

Cloudia said...

What a nice walk!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Thanks for sharing your hike and beautiful photos. I'd be heading for the shade once the clouds disappeared, lol.

Christine said...

Well done for capturing these great shots of the Towhee! That must be a delightful place to hike but not when is too hot!
Enjoy your weekend!

Susie said...

Diane, I love when you take us hiking with you...it's not so bad on my feet this way. LOL. I really enjoy seeing the birds you see there. So many different ones than around here. Blessing s for a great weekend, xoxo, Susie

Anni said...

Oh boy, the Towhee, ANY towhee is on my list to photograph. I'm so jealous. Beautiful images....
I certainly appreciate your participation each weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Your posts and photos are valued. Thanks!!
And yes, I know what you mean about 'hot'. Here, it's been so humid...even getting dressed after a shower is a chore 'cause of the humidity!!! Thank goodness for A/C.

Joyful said...

Lovely nature and bird shots. It sounds like it's going to be a hot summer for you. Have a great weekend.

Helma said...


Hi Diane,
What a beautiful picture of this Roodflanktowie. In the Netherlands we have this beautiful bird is not and it is especially nice to be able to see them in your blog. Also, the view in the first picture and nature are wonderful to see.
Hug, Helma

Stephanie said...

As always, you share such wonderful and beautiful photos.

It certainly is warming up where you live. I had to smile when I read that it's in the 80's because right now it's quite chilly here in the mountains and I'm sitting by a little heater trying to warm up :) Wish I was enjoying your hot temperatures.

Enjoy the long weekend! Hugs!

Lowcarb team member said...

Looks a very nice walk though and the photo's of the Rufous Sided Towhee are spectacular.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend

All the best Jan

20 North Ora said...

Happy weekend Diane. You have so many lovely places to hike.

Judy

handmade by amalia said...

Well worth braving the weather for this lovely walk.
Amalia
xo

Arlene G said...

Stay cool out there Diane. The hot temps arrived in Alabama this week as well!!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I fried my brain working in the yard yesterday. I'm not so sure I'm going out today. Supposed to be showers mid-day...maybe sneak out somewhere for a few clicks immediately after. :O)

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Hi Diane, it has been a few weeks since I have been able to make my way here, but so HAPPY to see you! HOT, it is finally warming up here too. The preserve looks like a beautiful place to wander and those Towhees are delightful chaps~

Stacey said...

Your photos are so beautiful! I love that you and your husband do this together. Have a great weekend!

Breathtaking said...

Hello!:) What a lovely walk and the wild flowers are pretty, but the star is the Towee,..such a beauty, and great shots Diane.:)

I could do with some of your hot weather here in Portugal. The endless rain and thunder storms we are getting, is so unseasonable.

Enjoy the coming week, and I hope it cools down a little for you.

Linda said...

lovely towhee photos, it is hot and humid here too, so I'm seeking shade as much as possible :)

eileeninmd said...

PS, thanks for the visit and comment. I hope you are staying cool! We are ecpecting a little tropical storm and rain this evening. It may cool things off for a bit. Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week ahead!

Buttercup said...

It's actually been hotter in New York and my air conditioner is humming. A little hotter than I prefer, but I still got my steps in today.

NatureFootstep said...

loved to see the Rufous Sided Towhee, don´t think I have seen it before :)

Joyful said...

Beautiful bird shots. I love your walking trails and wildflowers. I'm sure you have a lot of enjoyment walking there. I enjoyed our cool spell a few days ago and we had heavy rain on Friday. We needed it as we have had very warm temperatures already this year though thankfully not humid. I hope you had a wonderful long weekend.

Lorrie said...

A great hiking place, Diane. Hope the heat is cooling a little. Your shots of the towhee are great. Our weather was warmer in April, and we've had a rather cool May. Hoping June will be warmer.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I can almost hear that towhee singing! We used to have a lot of them in Oregon (the Western variety I'm sure, but they seem pretty much the same to me) but I've never seen any here in Florida. I think you in Central part of the State have a greater variety of birds. Probably because it is even hotter over here. (Nearly time for us to go to Oregon for the summer, where it is probably cooler than it is here in the Winter. No wonder I get confused.)

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

I haven't been on a good hike in awhile. When are you headed back to NC?