Spotting Birds in the Wilds of Florida

It's a challenge sometimes but lots of fun too!

My youngest son said it was like playing 'I SPY'! Walking a trail and seeing what you can see along the way!

So here we go! Grab a bottle of water and wear your cap! Let's go hiking at Blue Run Park!

Tricolored Heron

Tricolored Heron

Tricolored Heron

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Little Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

White Ibis

White Ibis

I hope you've had fun! Did you see anything that you don't see at your house?

Hubby keeps me going and we sure have FUN! A special thanks to him this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

February Spring Fever!

Yes, I know it's February! But for some reason, I've had the kind of Spring fever that causes Spring cleaning! I started a couple of weeks ago and haven't found a stopping point! I'll spare you the photos of the contents of my trunk! It's felt great to donate things I don't want and hopefully give them 'new life' at someone else's home! 

Life is full of challenges and we've had our share lately. 

Hike #26 Florida Trails, Pruitt Trailhead

So it feels good to give to others and spread some happiness.

And of course it feels great to get out on the trails here in Florida to enjoy the nice weather and soak up the sun!

Do you get in the moods to 'clean out'? Do you have to make yourself take a break from it? I need some time off for good behavior. lol I keep looking around and thinking....what else can I live without! Hubby is starting to get worried! He doesn't want me to work on 'his' prized possessions! I should probably stick to getting rid of my own junk! 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays. 

We found 'Gnome Valley'!

I love naming the trails we hike and special places we find!

We hit the jackpot on our hike over the weekend! 

We started at the 49th Ave Trailhead and headed West. 

After awhile we got on what I call a primitive trail (one that takes off through the woods and is not paved).

And about the time we needed to make our turn we found the Gnome village!

Deep into the woods!

They were SO sweet!

 And really made the hike special!

We found 2 little gnome homes!

But what do you think? Should I trade my pink cap for one of the gnome hats?

Hmmmmm....I'll count the votes in the comments!

Pink cap or tall pointed Gnome hat?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

Living on the WILD side! The Florida Bobcat!

We love to hike at Blue Run Park at least once a week! You just never know what you'll see when you go! But you know you'll see a LOT!

A few people had stopped in the parking lot when we pulled in and told us a Hawk was right there on a post near where we parked!

Red-Shouldered Hawk

That was the first WILD sighting!

And then we saw Storks! 

We've seen Storks here in Florida but never at Blue Run Park!

So that was exciting!

We thought is would be the highlight of the day!

But things were about to get even WILDER!

When we hike, we wander away from each other and stop at different places to look and take photos. So it was GREAT that we happened to be near each other and looking down the trail at the same time!

Because a Bobcat walked across the trail in front of us! I didn't try to zoom in so my photo is from the 'true' distance away that he was from us. He's in the shadows near the center of the photo!

But hubby got a better photo....

and I cropped it so you can see the details! 

It was the most exciting sighting of the year! I saw a Bobcat on the Florida trails one year ago! The post is HERE.

Lots of beautiful birds and another sighting of the Storks on our way out. 

Just an amazing hike, living on the WILD side!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Do we have time for Story Hour at the Library?

I stopped at the local library to donate a few books and the story lady was getting ready for story hour at the Freedom Public Library.

I donated my books, picked up a magazine and got all the way back to my car when I thought....why not! 

I have time for Story Hour!

So back in I went! I talked to the sweet lady and asked if I could come and take a few pics. I also asked if I left early, would it be a distraction... she said I was welcome and I could leave whenever I wanted!

I'm so glad I went!

I got to sing the Welcome Song and the 'getting settled down' song!

And listen to some of a bunny book!

It was delightful! I love libraries! I have fond memories of going to my local library in Arkansas as a little girl and I've always searched out the library wherever I live! There's so many things to enjoy at the library!

And don't you love that it's a Safe Place for children!

Do you still visit the library where you live?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays. 

Sightings on the Florida Trails!

You'll be very glad I used mosaics to share photos I took on the Florida trails this week. We've gone on 3 hikes in this area and there are huge outcroppings of Limestone all along the trail.

And I love to photograph all the unusual 'sightings'!

How about an Alien? Can you see it?

Or a turtle?

This was actually part of the trail that you walk on. It looks like something emerging from the sand.

And would you stick your hand in here? 

I double dare you! heeheehee!

Maybe some of these are where the fairies live!

A couple of mosaics...

to take part in the fun!

The trail itself is kind of dreamy.

But I wouldn't want to hike there after dark! Would you?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .