I mention hiking the Florida Trails all the time! But the full name of the trail I hike most often is Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, HERE. I have a favorite section of this trail that is nearby and a great source of wildlife....flora and fauna! It's where I've seen a Bobcat, an Owl, White tailed Deer, Gopher Tortoises, Fox Squirrels and hundreds of wildflowers, among other things! And I've named different areas accordingly.
A couple of years ago a man stopped on his bike to tell me there was a rare plant growing along the trail that I might be interested in.
It turned out to be Sky Blue Lupine,
and it was in Bobcat Holler.
and it was in Bobcat Holler.
Thanks to the Native Plant Society for helping me with identification.
Which brings me to the Florida Native Plant Society HERE.
I was so excited to see these signs show up a couple of months ago. One in Deer Meadows and one on Bluebird of Happiness Hill.
Deer Meadows
And then last week I hiked up the hill and got to meet some of the volunteers that were there planting the native plants.
I appreciate SO much their hard work. Their blog is HERE.
So thanks to the Native Plant Society and to Duke Energy that gave a grant to make it possible.
What a beautiful place to hike and bike!
Something to be thankful for today and for the future as well.
36 comments:
i like Deer Meadows because it looks like natural old Florida and not cultivated by people... a beautiful place. so glad they are restoring and preserving...
...al it takes are dedicated volunteers!
oh i could not agree more, it sounds like an awesome place for hiking. i really enjoy meeting people when we are out and about, they are a wealth of information, and often know the best kept secrets. lucky you, the plant is beautiful!! i thought the trails were natural, silly me, it's great that there are people who enjoy planting and keeping up with the native plants!! a nice post diane!!
Beautiful photos and such a fantastic place to hike. I love living by the beach but sure miss places like that. Have a great day :)
I think it's awesome that folks are planting native plants and looking after them. The nicer we are to nature, the nicer it is to us. I love your photos taken on these hikes. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
Hello,
I am thankful too, for the Native Plant Society and all the volunteers. They are both awesome. The wildflowers and native plants are beautiful, always great to see while you are out hiking.
Bobcat Holler!!! Mmmm, love the old fashioned name, but...! I'd be "skeeered" to set foot, in there!!!!! ~smile~
Oh my yes!!! How wonderful to have them planing native plants! This is such Wisdom. A
nd such Wisdom for everyone, everywhere. Find out what is Native to your area, and plant it!!!!!!
💛 💛 💛
Florida has done a great job with these parks and trails. Everything seems to be so well taken care of and managed. And such great places for people to enjoy. Thank you so much for all your wonderful pictures.
how cool!!! I love the names of places you mention, and the good folk who are caretaking the area for the betterment of all! I wish everyone got the idea that doing good for others makes life better for all.
That's great. I know that it was a thrill for you to see that work.
What a wonderful post...people never seem to realize that 'native plants' sometimes have to be planted/seeded by humans since we have erased so many natural habitats. Here in Illinois, starting way back with LadyBird Johnson whose national project of seeding America with wildflowers, our Prairie Restorations are simply gorgeous. Huge tracks have been added to our Forest Preserves which have been expanded to include wetlands and prairies. I often try to imagine what Illinois looked like in the 1820's before man did all his damage. Always enjoy your posts! Sandi
We are blessed, here in Florida, to have so many areas that are being maintained and preserved to protect plants and wildlife. I think most people think Florida is all beaches and sand but we are so much more than that!
Diane, That is such good news about the plantings. It will keep the trails looking nice. More pretty things to see on your hikes. Blessings, xoxo,love, Susie
Hi Diane, beautiful post of the hard workers. The lupines are very beautiful. Here in the Netherlands they have them in their backyard.
You are right, I sure do like this post.
High Fives to those making this happen.
I am off to see their blog. :-)
Diane, I'd come back to this park, too. Is every place back East green? The past two years (or has it been 3?), silver lupine (native to California) has sprouted voluntarily on the side of our driveway. It looks similar to your native one.
The whole world owes them a debt of gratitude.
So grateful for all the work that volunteers do to keep our world beautiful. this looks like a fantastic place to walk in.
Sue
Lovely photos! Great place to wander. We have lovely places like this in Indiana too! I'm so grateful for that!
Lovely spots.
Pretty lupine. Nice area.
That does look like a beautiful place for hiking! Turns out I have a sister-in-law and hubby who live right there, and they've mentioned walking there quite a bit. I never knew the name of it, though!
Nice post from the hard workers and all the volunteers.
The lupins are very beautiful.
Your photos are very beautiful that were taken during these walks.
Best regards Irma
Wonderful pictures. Shot 3 is very nice.
Well done.
Greetings, Marco
Wonderful hike and good information! I see a lot of those native plants when we walk, and it isn't even in a designated park or preserve. I am glad there are still places where the native plants grow, and also that there are places that are preserving them. They are very special to our environment. I want to preserve as much of "old Florida" nature as we can. Great information.
It is great to see folks working to preserve native plants, and the wildlife, too.
Have a blessed day!
I'm thankful for road trips today. Have a good weekend!
Volunteers are wonderful people.
Lovely photographs.
All the best Jan
What a lovely place to hike! Enjoy.
What a beautiful lupin. I'm glad nature is being valued and restored. It's so important for a healthy planet, and healthy humans.
Have a good weekend!
You and your husband take hikes in the most beautiful places. You see such beautiful nature.
Thanks for the blog visit Diane and enjoy the weekend. Stay safe and be well.
Love seeing flowers that are unfamiliar to me. Had a nice chat with a volunteer gardener in the park today about the abundance of hibiscus in New York City. Take care and keep cool!
Me parece una gran idea. Besos.
Those are dedicated volunteers. To get out in the heat, dig a hole, haul water, and all for free, I'm impressed.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Thank you for the great article! We really appreciate it! FYI, the blue flowered Lupine that you found is Lupinus diffusus (Sky Blue Lupine). It is not endangered. The Scrub Lupine that you referred to is actually pink flowered and endemic to only a few counties in Florida (Orange, Osceola and Polk).
How awesome that they are planting all those native plants. I love all the different names for locations there.
Post a Comment