White Ibis in Spring mating plumage

We saw this White Ibis at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon on one of our hikes this month.

It had such beautiful Spring mating plumage...

except for his beak that looked like it had been dipped in tar!

The swamp is rich in nutrients and he didn't have a napkin handy.

So excuse the mess and enjoy the photos. (it's all good for them!)

We saw this colorful Lantana that day too. 

(if you look closely, you'll see a white spider in the center)

We are seeing some amazing birds here in Florida this Spring!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

I'm RICH!!! (with books)

I went to the Freedom County Library book sale last week and found some wonderful books. 

 I try to be very selective. I only spent $12 but I don't have a lot of empty space on my bookshelves. (I'm constantly sorting and donating the ones I've read and don't want to keep)

But I can't resist old books,

children's books,

and books by authors I love.

I probably wouldn't have bought Image of Josephine except for the letter inside. 

Dearest Mama....isn't that priceless!

And how about the Cornell reading room regulations.

Very fun to find inside Silas Marner.

Books!!! I love them! I have these on my library table to look through and read.

What are you reading now?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

Cousins at Kanapaha

We got to spend a fun day at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens with my sweet cousin, Cindy this week!

It was such a treat to get to walk around this beautiful place with my favorite cousin and catch up on family gossip news.

We walked and walked, then had a picnic lunch and walked some more!

Wish we could do this more often!

Spending the day with family...

 it just doesn't get any better than that!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

Flocks and Flocks (and who missed the boat)

I always look up at the sky when I'm out and about. And one evening when I was walking with friends, we looked up and saw hundreds of birds overhead! They were high up, flying South and of course it was in the evening around dusk. 

I think they are Great White Egrets. 

 They just kept streaming over!

And then when we hiked at Blue Run Park last weekend, I looked up and saw a flock of Cormorants. 

 We see them in the water pretty often but these were flying high in the sky.

 So who got left behind? 

We've had 2 Canada Geese at the pond for a couple of weeks now. 

They are usually winter guests here in Florida.

Maybe it's because they are two headed and can't fly! 

(I'M KIDDING...I'M KIDDING!!!)

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Eating healthy + a Low Carb Pancake Recipe!

Eating healthy just got easier for us! Earth Fare is opening a nice big store in our town. It's always been our favorite place to shop in Asheville and now we have one here! YAY! We are SO excited!

We love their 'homemade' soups and bread...and organic produce...nuts and dried fruit...oh and cheeses! Well, we love everything they sell!

 Lots of articles in our local magazines this month.

 And now for the Low Carb Pancake Recipe! I have Christine at Preferably Prim to thank for this recipe. So go there to see the beautiful photo she took of hers. Mine are still on the griddle and they didn't spread exactly round like hers! haha!

You use one egg, one banana and one tablespoon of flour...that's ALL! She gives the directions for mixing it together HERE! They did not give me a sugar rush at all! I ate mine hot with butter on top (no fruit) and they were delicious! I've made them a 'few' times now, Christine! Thanks!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

A Walk at the Park

Hubby surprised me by saying he had stopped at Sholom Park and walked a little while he was out running errands.   

It's a beautiful time of year here in Florida and flowers are blooming like crazy.

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

 

 Thanks Honey for the flowers! 💗

Swallow Tailed Kite

I went to the Farmer's Market this week and they had fresh Florida organic peaches! They were perfectly ripe and smelled amazing! So I bought all my fresh veggies and fruits and headed to Sholom Park to walk. I had a plan! I would eat a peach and then take a really fast paced walk! I stood next to my car....la la la....enjoying my peach and the beauty of the sky! When lo and behold I looked up and saw a Swallow Tailed Kite!

The race was on! I walked (this would be the fast paced part of my exercise plan) to the back of park and looked out over this field.

There they were! Two of them!

I zoomed as much as I could and then cropped my photos. 

 (landing gear only partially down!!!)

After a dozen or so photos, I walked some more. 

And don't worry, I found a trash can for my peach pit! heehee!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Happiness is Fragile

When you are healthy, it's easier to be happy. You look around you and think that you will be able to pull yourself up my your bootstraps when things go wrong but it's not that easy.

 In fact...it's downright HARD!!!

I splurged when Bath and Body had a 'buy one get one free' deal AND free shipping and got a nice supply of bubble bath. I love the Eucalyptus Spearmint and Lavender Vanilla scents best. 

What's your favorite bath scent?

My husband is feeling much better and I feel good too. Thank you ALL so much for your prayers. What a difference they've made. I am humbled by your friendship and love.

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

Blue Run Park Hike #13

Lucky 13!!! We finally got to hike over the weekend. The weather was gorgeous...in the 70s with a light breeze. It had been exactly 2 months since we had made a hike together and it was fabulous!

And we saw lots of beautiful Spring wildflowers!

(and a lot of neat critters I'll be sharing with you soon)

It felt great to get out on the trail! Hubby felt good and we had FUN!!! We'll be anxious to go again soon.

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

A Male Scaup and a Pretty Spider

I had no idea what I was seeing when I took this photo of ducks in the little pond near my house.

But then I was on Frank's blog, Wildlife Watching with FAB and saw the male Scaup in one of his photos. And then I knew! I had seen one, too! I couldn't figure out why a duck had something that looked like a large white plastic spoon on it's side! hahaha! (thanks Frank for the ID!)

And if I liked spiders....which I don't....

I would say this one is beautiful.

Hubby took it at Sholom Park the other day. 

 Outstanding!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’ and

How Sweet the Sound Pink Saturdays!