We love hiking in North Central Florida. When you head out on Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt Trailhead you see huge live oak trees, wet marshy areas and open areas with all kinds of vegetation.
It's a diverse area where all kinds of birds and wildlife live. Every time we go we see a wonderful variety! We are never disappointed.
So let's get started!
I'll just hit some of the highlights of the day!
It's still 'warm' here in Florida so we spotted a few deer under the trees staying cool. Doesn't this photo make you want to sketch this idyllic scene?
We saw this pretty little Prairie Warbler in a tree.
It didn't stay still long enough to get many photos.
But we tried!
This Downy was a neat sighting.
And then we saw a White-eyed Vireo and got a few photos of him.
He had caught something good to eat!
Now let's go into some deep woods! Well, it's cooler here and this is where we saw an Owl once upon a time, but it's time to turn around and go back.
This section of trail has been mowed but hubby is in front of me and there's a curve in the trail.
And he can see over the high grass along the side of the trail, a wild animal coming RIGHT TOWARD US!
Hubby got one quick photo and then stepped out so the coyote could see us and change his path. Wild animals do not usually attack you, they avoid you! So the coyote disappeared into the tall grass on the other side of the trail and we didn't see him again. We weren't really in danger but it makes a good story. AND I must admit, we picked up our pace and felt very privileged to see something so WILD on this hike!
In this closing photo, it looks like hubby has gotten way ahead of me again!
WAIT UP HONEY!!!
(just ONE more butterfly pic, I promise)
39 comments:
...fabulous images, you saved the best for last! Enjoy your weekend.
You do have quite a variety of birds there. And that coyote, how neat to be able to see him too. You're right, the wild animals will not harm you unless you try to hurt them. (as a rule) If the animals are this smart and understanding, I wonder why all of mankind cannot do the same. Hmmmm. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
Hello,
Another great hike with beautiful nature scenes. I always enjoy the wildlife you see there, love the warbler, vireo and the woodpecker. Neat sighting of the coyote. The vireo is my favorite. Wonderful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care and Enjoy your day! Happy weekend! PS, thank you for leaving my a comment.
Neat photo of wild coyote.
ooooh that is so me..."just one more"!! this was a great walk, you got some beautiful photographs...it looks to be a gorgeous path/area!!
it is so cool to see that coyote are out in the wild, and you are right, they don't often attack. there was one here, a few years back, a mom and a child in a stroller. i was surprised when i heard about it!! have a great weekend!!
Haha … what cute deer ears. The coyote was a neat sighting too. Not a danger they say but one never knows. The butterfly, bird, deer … we all seem poised for the next meal.
I'm glad you were safe! I would have panicked.
Hope you can find a copy of 'Spinner in the Sun'.....its a good read! (and oh, so vintage)
What a beautiful blue sky! We have coyotes here too and they tend to like to prey on small pets. Happy Hiking!!
That are so beautiful photos!*wow* i love this!!!
Happy weekend, Elke
Coyotes -- we saw and heard a lot of them during our years in Colorado. In addition to getting out of their way, the advice is also to group together with other people and/or stretch out your arms and legs so you look as big as possible. Avoiding eye contact is good too.
Thanks for bringing us along!
Neat encounter with the coyote. My husband gets ahead of me too. We are off to hike this morning.
What beautiful pictures.
The woodpecker is my favorite.
Have a great weekend and stay healthy.
Greetings Irma
That would have been neat to see the coyote along the trail. And the wonderful sight of the deer. Such a special animal. The orange butterfly is so pretty too.
Happy October days, Diane.
~Sheri
You had interesting walk Diane. I would love to see a Coyote. None in the UK as you know - just domestic pets off their leads. Great pictures of the White eyed Video too. Enjoy your weekend ☺️
A beautiful hike. Thanks for taking us along. Enjoy your day.
Hi Diane, beautiful photos. I think it is very exciting to see a coyote on your hike. Have a nice weekend. Greetings Caroline
I love coyotes! So majestic! I sometimes see them running through our woods very early in the morning. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous pictures. I look forward to them! ~Andrea xoxo
You sound just like me! Wait up honey...just one more pic...Yep, that would be me too! Oh, that close encounter with the coyote in the daytime is pretty awesome! How neat that you got that picture before he disappeared! And I love the deer under the tree. And so many birds and butterflies. You make me miss our walks in Salt Springs where we had so much of this all around our home, but the remoteness just got to us and we needed to live closer to civilization since we are getting "so old". LOL. Thank you for allowing me the joy of seeing these beautiful critters through your eyes. You appreciate them like I do.
Just beautiful - I love to get out and walk and do some hiking.
Another wonderful hike. You always spot so many great things. Even though that coyote won't attack I would still be a little leary of it.
Beautiful photos. The thing that I would worry about would be that coyotes like stay dogs move into packs. I'm glad your hubby was with you. There is safety in numbers :)
beautiful photos!!! I am now following you hope you will do follow me back :) I love hiking to unknown places, I would be scared of the coyote though
Another great hike. The picture of the blue sky and white clouds is so pretty!
I've seen a few coyote here too and like you said they run away from you.
Love the sweet little dear. That coyote is quite on parade, isn't he? Glad you got the photo!
Wow to seeing that coyote! Lots of birds and lots of beauty! Thanks for taking us along on your hike!
Always enjoy the variety of birds and creatures you see on your hikes. Exciting to see a coyote. Hope you are having a great weekend!
You had a wonderful day of spotting wildlife on your nature walk.
How exciting to see a coyote! Love your bird shots too!
Prairie warbler and the white eyed bird....I've never seen any of those. I love the pretty pictures of the trail and the sky! Wow, great pic of the WOLF........OOOPS, nope, coyote, ha ha LOL Hope you're having a great weekend my friend!
Hello. Wonderful post. Thank you for sharing.
Take care.
The white EYED VIREO is a favotite...I love it's song.
Happy weekend, and thanks for joining us at I'd Rather B Birdin this week.
Gorgeous nature shots ~ love the feathered and furry friends and that cloud photo is awesome ~ Great places you and grand photography ^_^
Live each moment with love,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
You have such wonderful places to hike. I love seeing your photos. xo Laura
White-eyed Vireo is a bird I have seen frequently, but it seemed to have been featured on more blogs this year than I can recall. Perhaps it just reflects the actions of a greater number of photographers. It strays into Ontario periodically, but rarely enough for it to be a major event in the birder's year.
Now that was an exciting walk! Glad your Beloved was with you. I enjoyed seeing the beautiful photos of the birds.
It certainly was another good hike.
I enjoyed seeing all of your photographs, that last one is magnificent.
Enjoy the remainder of your weekend, and have a good new week.
All the best Jan
I love your closing photos! Perfect colors.
Amalia
xo
Great photos! I love that photo of the deer in the grass. :) Nice trails to walk too. Even though I know that coyotes will run away usually when faced with people...I still get butterflies of fright in my stomach when I see one!
Todo maravilloso, el coyote da un poco de miedo. Besos.
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