Monday, September 28, 2020

Cardinal Flowers for Fall


We were amazed to see the Cardinal Flower in full bloom at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.


It seems like no matter when you hike, something new catches your eye.


Flowers bloom year round here in Florida so that makes it interesting and beautiful.


There weren't many people there at all so it was a great time to get photos of the trail and the swamp.


Aren't these pink lichen pretty?


A walk to the bridge...


and a new sign.


Of course people out enjoying water sports too.


A few oddities during the day too! A squirrel eating a Sweet Gum ball...seems like a prickly thing to eat! And an orange on the ground. (we looked up and there was an orange tree with lots of oranges!)


And an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail for Aunt Helen.


It's a wonderful time of year to live in Florida. 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,


AND my Monday post HERE.


47 comments:

Tom said...

...this is a beautiful flower that grows in wet spot here.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The Cardinal flowers are beautiful, love the mosaic. I like the view of the trail and the pink lichen is neat looking. Looks like a great place for walking and boating. The Swallowtail is lovely. That squirrel is brave eating the prickly sweet gum ball. Great nature sightings and photos. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great new week!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful landscapes, your photos catch the best of the best.

Marcia said...

The color here now is not from flowers but from the leaves on the trees. Nice play you chose to walk.

Creations By Cindy said...

These pictures are stunning! So very pretty. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

MadSnapper said...

I have seen those red flowers in the past but did not know the name and when I read the name Cardinal it made me think yesterday I was in the kitchen and I saw a half grown male cardinal come and sit on the windowsill outside the living room window and he was admiring himself in the shiny window

Susie said...

I love how those flowers look . Oh course the butterfly is beautiful. I miss ours here in Indiana. That swampy water creeps me out...thinking what is lurking under that green topping. Stay safe. Blessings, xoxo, love, Susie

Arlene G said...

Red is my favorite color so those flowers really spoke to me this morning. So much beauty is around us if we will just stop to look!

Kate said...

Beautiful photos!! Cardinal flower and pink lichen - both are so pretty and I've not seen either before.

Inger said...

I love visiting your blog. You are living a life full of joy and it's catching. Plus the pictures are so gorgeous/

Powell River Books said...

I've never heard of Cardinal Flower before. It has a lovely tall stalk. It's nice to have late blooming flowers. There aren't any flowers around here in nature, but my pansies are still doing well on the deck. - Margy

Sandi Magle said...

Hmmmm, I always enjoy your different landscapes in Florida, and those are gorgeous red spikes...Cardinal flower. Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Sandi.

Happy@Home said...

The cardinal flowers sure are pretty and really pop amongst the trees. It's fun to find little unexpected treasures and it seems you found many. The sweet gum ball does seem like an odd thing for a squirrel to munch on.

Debbie said...

gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous...it is a grand time to live in florida!! i adore your new header and the image of the eastern swallowtail is exceptional!! all beautiful pictures, i have never seen the lichen in pink!! happy monday!!!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Grand photos!! I think the squirrel is cute and of course the butterfly is just beautiful! What a grand time you must have had! Have a wonderful week!

NatureFootstep said...

is that lichen pink? It looks as if the tree was painted on. Very beautiful. :) The swamp is gorgeous with so much diversity and wildlife. Love the swallowtail. Very nice mosaics today :)

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Beautiful red flowers and all your photos.
Hugs and greetings.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

It's so nice to be able to go out for those walks with your husband. You always take such nice photos of your walks and enjoy looking at them. Happy hiking and have a nice week Diane.

Vee said...

Those pink lichen are lovely and lacey. I have never seen any in my corner.

The Feminine Energy said...

One of my brothers lived in Florida... first Boca Raton and then someplace near Ft. Lauderdale... on a barrier island of some sort. He's gone now but he seemed to enjoy it there. Such beautiful pictures you post. They never fail to make me smile & put cheer into my day. Thank you! ~Andrea xoxo

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I'm not familiar with cardinal flowers but they are so pretty.

Aunt Helen said...

Thank you for that beautiful Butterfly you sent for me! I have never seen one like it before. I am amazed that you can capture such lovely photos of our flying creatures. Your new camera must have a very fast resolution! Love, Aunt Helen

Edna B said...

That Pink Lichen is so pretty. I'm enjoying today's walk. Keep taking those photos, they really do make my day. Hugs, Edna B.

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
I enjoyed all the photos you shared.
The swamp photos with the pink lichen is my favorite.
Carla

Ann said...

I've never heard of a cardinal flower before. It's very pretty. This winter while the snow is flying here you can supply me with a flower fix :)

happyone said...

That red sure pops out, so pretty.

Terri D said...

When I am able to get out again and visit some trails, I know I will be looking for things I would never have paid attention to before reading your posts! Thanks for the education and all the lovely photos!

Barbara said...

Swamps such as you pictured here are fascinating. Those mature trees standing, and thriving, in water that deep is quite a sight. And yes, the pink lichen is very pretty. I’m not sure I knew it would turn pink like that.

Your mosaic at the very end is clever!

Jenn Jilks said...

I don't think I've seen that flower!
It seems strange not having winter! We're so used to it.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Diane
The Red cardinal flowers are so pretty! I like how they grow so tall. The orange tree must have been a surprise--maybe a bit dropped a seed long ago? I like how this park is part swamp--I found the swamp area of Louisiana so interesting. Have a wonderful week!

Gone Tropical said...

Such beautiful pictures! I never found the cardinal flower in the wild. And aren't the Florida squirrels funny with their eating habits, gum balls of all, and their ratty looking tails ;) /sigh/ I would love to be on that little boat right now.
Wishing you a great week :-)

Linda said...

Lovely scenes! Your mosaic is wonderful.

Dawn said...

The pink lichen was interesting and what a lovely swallowtail.
I'd love to be on a boat in the water...but here today it's cool, windy and raining.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

Lea said...

Pink Lichen! Never seen that before.
Lovely flowers and butterflies! Cute squirrel.
Have a wonderful day!

Small City Scenes said...

Beautiful shots. A wonderful time in Florida and here too. The Fall flowers are blooming and we still have lots of colors too. Thanks for the tour of your part of Florida
MB

Giorgio said...

Beautiful colours!

Ricki Treleaven said...

I love the shade of red of the flowers. That squirrel must need some roughage! LOL

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

So beautiful! The cardinal flowers are gorgeous...new to me (guess we haven’t been in Fl at the right time!). Happy hiking!

carol l mckenna said...

Gorgeous nature shots ~ looks like a wonderful place to live ^_^

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Angie said...

Diane - I have never seen a cardinal flower and now I have seen it in two posts this week! Beautiful! Glad you are able to get out on your walks and few people and good weather!!! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

EricaSta said...

I don't know each plant, but they are here so much colourful. Thank you for sharing this lovely Post.

Happy MosaicMonday 🙋‍♀️

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I love your photos, and that "Cardinal Flower"...you are right to call it that. We had some in a lot across the street from us at a former home, and I kept seeing it moving in the breeze and I truly thought it was a cardinal over there. I had to get my camera and go over and see for myself! So much beauty out there if we just open our eyes to see. Beautiful butterfly! Wow! Great picture! I hope you are out walking today...what a gorgeous fall day we are having!

Red Rose Alley said...

The Cardinal Flower is so pretty. Such a vibrant red color. That must have been a sight to see so many of them. And the butterfly is beautiful. Lots of wonderful things to see on your hikes. : )

~Sheri

Lowcarb team member said...

The Cardinal flowers are beautiful, such a lovely colour.
Enjoyed your mosaics too.

Enjoy this last day of September and have a happy October.

All the best Jan

Jeanie said...

Love the lichen and the stunning red flower. It's beautiful.

Teresa said...

Fue un lindo paseo, las flores están preciosas. Besos.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a beautiful place to hike!