If we can just make it to the bridge!

We hiked at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon this week! But oh my it was hot and humid. AND buggy! We usually have wind or at least a nice breeze here during the summer months but on this particular morning it was still. So you had to keep moving!

There are lots of beautiful birds and wildlife along the way. (we spotted 3 alligators in the river) But let's keep moving. Once you reach the bridge it opens up and you can feel a nice breeze.

And of course it's beautiful!

Lots of people out taking advantage of the nice day!

Lots of water sports!

Fishing boats are my favorite!

I couldn't decide which mosaic I liked best!

So I'm sharing them both!

AND had an added surprise that day!

A Super Hero!

To Save the Day!!!

It's always fun to get outside! Have you seen anything interesting this week? Any Super Heroes to save your day? I have to say the men that are putting on our new roof are  Super Heroes! 

Thanks guys!!!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio too!

How many birds do you see?

I had to look twice when I saw this old dead limb.

It looked like 4 birds practicing social distancing!

But it's really 2 birds 

and 2 knots on a log! lol

I'll share photos from a hike I took on the Florida Trails one morning.

Northern Flicker

Mockingbird

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-Headed Woodpecker

Rufous-sided Towhee

And then I'll see if I can find one room that's quieter than the others. They are putting a new roof on our house this week and it's taking longer than expected. Most of Thursday, all of Friday, half day Saturday and they'll finish on Monday! WHEW! But they are doing a great job! It's been wonderful to get the professionals to do things right! Our house is over 20 years old and it was TIME! The Florida sunshine really cooks the shingles on a roof. I'll share more photos when it's finished!

What's new with you this week? Have you been able to get outside and enjoy nature? It's awfully HOT to enjoy the outdoors here this week. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Shalimar

It's been awhile since I took photos of Shalimar. 

She's a doll made by the doll maker Linda Rick and one of my favorites.

I have a doll room so most of my dolls are in that room but I've always had Shalimar in my bedroom.

Because of the leaky roof and plans for a new roof this week, I decided to move her into the library. The photo above shows my dresser with nothing on it! You'll never see it like this again! I HOPE!

I hate having so much stuff 'out of place' but I don't want a mishap when they work replacing the plywood where it leaked. They are replacing our skylight in the kitchen too with a better one. I don't even know HOW to prepare for that! lol (I hope I'm still laughing after it's over)

I received some pretty things from Aunt Helen this week that I wanted to share. She is always finding neat things and beautiful cards that she knows I'll like.

Thanks Aunt Helen for all the special things you do for us!

Shalimar

Have you had a week filled with things to be thankful for? I don't really look forward to the mess of getting a new roof but I'm very happy to be able to get one when we need it! 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Morning Noon or Night...let's go for a HIKE!

I love to hike at any time of day but you shouldn't get out for a noon hike in Florida during the summer months! It's too HOT!

I don't count my evening walks around the neighborhood as hikes but I like to walk over to the pond every few days. (on days I don't hike)

I stood in the driveway to see these colorful clouds at sundown.

And then I walked over to the pond after the sun went down to take advantage of a cooling breeze.

No matter when you walk, you're sure to see something interesting.

I hiked the Florida Trails the following morning. 

The woods had held the overnight air and it was surprisingly cool!

(stickers on a car I parked next to, except for the birding sticker that I parked next to at HTP a few days before)

I know most of you are younger than I am so I'll tell you what I tell my boys. Exercise some every day NOW because the older you get, the harder it becomes. I absolutely LOVE to walk and hike but I can't take the long walks and strenuous hikes that I enjoyed when I was younger. And I mean....just 10 years younger than I am now! (Our hiking now is limited to easier trails and around 2 hours or less.) So get out there and see all the interesting sights that nature has to offer and stay in shape. You'll be so glad you did....when you get older!

Anything you want to add in your comments? I'd love to know how you stay healthy and 'in shape'! We're never too old to learn something new!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio too!

"Imperfect Photos"

When I'm out on a hike, I take all the photos I want and then I might delete a few that are out of focus when I get home...but not often! Thanks hubby for sharing some of yours too!

Sometimes the imperfect photos look artsy to me....

unique....

and unusual.

The rain we had last week helped fill the swamps again and there were birds galore on the swamp side at Blue Run Park.

Can you spot the Green Heron perched on the Cypress knee in the photo above? How about the one below?

We saw 4 or 5 Green Herons as well as a host of others.

It's always challenging to get good photos in the summertime.

The birds are hidden behind the grasses and trees.

We saw 6 male Wood ducks together which was unusual. Here's a pic that made it look like these were two headed! lol

Have you had a chance to get out and enjoy nature this week? 

(I won't say what makes the one above look unusual...you figure it out! ROFL!!!)

(tannins in the water giving it a gold color, imperfectly beautiful)

We're taking advantage of the cooler mornings to get out early. Which means I drink iced coffee AFTER the hike instead of a cup before walking for 2 hours with a swamp on one side and the river on the other!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Sunflower Yellow!

We drove out to Blue Run Park one day to hike and as we passed the fields of sunflowers.....

 they were all in FULL bloom!

They were breathtaking!

Sunflowers as far as the eye could see.

After our hike, we stopped to take pics and buy some farm fresh veggies from Cannon Farms.

It was fun to see the families preparing to go out into the sunflower field.

This is the map that shows the maze you can walk in. (and yes, I heard them say they would spray them with bug spray)

And I asked this sweet lady if I could take photos of her daughter. Isn't she precious!

They were doing a photo shoot!

Thanks for all of the sweet comments about my 'shiner'. It's a pukey shade of yellow now not Sunflower yellow! heehee!

I'm thankful my eye is healing and I haven't had any headaches this week. 
What are you thankful for?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!