Saturday, December 19, 2020

We met our goal! 150 Hikes for this year!

 
We wanted to go to Blue Run Park for #150 and it was a beautiful day for a hike! I have an Apple watch that helps with the stats to add to my hiking journal. 
It was 70 degrees with 63 % humidity. Perfect!


But on the way over we passed this 'critter'. What is it? (think about it and get the answer in your head to add to the comments! because the answer is at the end of the post and you can't change it then! hahaha)


We always have quite a list for the hiking journal on this particular hike. I'll show a few of the critter sightings and let you hurry along!


Limpkin


Moorhen


Ibis


Little Blue Heron


Pileated Woodpecker


Alligator


and me!

 
Oh and the mystery critter? 


What did you guess? We see him every time we pass this way but today he came to the fence and there was no traffic on this little back road. 


He's a beautiful horse, isn't it? With such unusual markings!

What's your weather like this fine December morn?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 


50 comments:

Martha said...

I did guess horse - go me! He is beautiful and all your photos are great as always. Of course the weather here is just about the same as yours but probably just a few degrees warmer down here on the SW side. Enjoy the weekend!

Tom said...

...congratulation and you sure saw a bunch of nest things. Keep putting one foot in front of the other!

MadSnapper said...

i guessed it was a horse but could not tell how you took the photo, i thought you were riding it. he is gorgeous as is that park. it is 45 here goint to 60's, i am loving this cold spell

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Congrats on 150 hikes! You see some lovely critters!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane,

Your Florida birds are all beautiful. One of my favorites is the Limpkin. I love the Pileated Woodie too. I did guess a horse, he/she is beautiful. Wonderful post and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Jeanie said...

That little blue heron really is blue! And I did recognize your mystery guest. He's very handsome!

Vee said...

I guessed alpaca, but obviously, I don't know anything. ☺️ Beautifully marked horse with those extra eyes.

Amazing job of 150 hikes! Well done!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Yes, he is a beautiful horse, but the blue heron is just gorgeous!! Merry Christmas!!

Arlene G said...

I love a pretty and sweet horse. Great for setting goals. I need to do more of that. Might be my New Years Resolution.

Hootin Anni said...

My first guess was horse, then I changed it to llama. Shoulda stuck with my first instinct. Beautiful birds once again. I'm always jealous of those that see a Pilated woodpecker...they're not in my neck of the woods! Our weather? Cloudy, misty, damp and gray.

Irma said...

Congratulations on your 150 walks.
They are beautiful pictures, especially the horse is great.
Greetings Irma

Teresa said...

El caballo y todo lo demás se ve precioso. Feliz fin de semana.

Kate said...

Well done, you! Love all the photos!!!!!
Have a swell Christmas.

Linda said...

I guessed horse!!!!
My favorite pic today is the one of YOU!!!
Congrats on meeting your goal!

Inger said...

That is one gorgeous horse! The weather continues with its eternal sunshine and blue skies. Temps are probably approaching 40 now, it was in the 20s at sunrise, but the sun warms us up quickly.

Sending lots of love and some warm Nordic hugs to you. Thank you for this wonderful critter post.

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Congratulations!!!!

Our weather is sunny and snow covered, exactly how the Days Before Christmas should look.

Greeting, from the North Pole!

riitta k said...

Hah, I thought it was a big dog :) Great looking horse with personal spots on the forehead! Beautiful photos. Have a wonderful Christmas & stay healthy!

carol l mckenna said...

Oh gorgeous feathered friends photos ~ even the alligator ~

I guessed a dog ~ LOL ~ What a magnificent horse!

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Edna B said...

I love all the different birds you see on your walks. And I love love that beautiful horse! What gorgeous coloring. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Red Rose Alley said...

That is a beautiful horse. I had no idea what it was because I've never seen a horse with spots before haha. Wow, he's a beauty! You saw so many pretty birds along the way. And that alligator....Yikes! Although he looks like a baby, doesn't he?

Have a peaceful weekend, Diane.

~Sheri

carol l mckenna said...

Just checking in to see if google is working for my responses on blogs ~ ^_^

Susie said...

Diane, My feet hurt from all that walking. LOL So proud of you and Ron, setting such a goal and reaching it. Congrats. You are really good at identifying birds too. Some amazing pictures from all the hikes. Love the markings on that horse. Blessings to all of you, xoxo, Love, Susie

Debbie said...

congrats on your milestone, what a wonderful achievement!! beautiful images, all critters i do not see in my neck of the woods!! i wonder if that is a "painted" horse, it's not my expertise but maybe!!

70 degrees is pretty wonderful, it is 25 degrees here right now. and santa just drove by on a firetruck, today is wonderful!! have a great weekend!!

Bill said...

I was guessing horse but wasn't sure because of the unusual markings. Very pretty horse indeed. 150 hikes this year is quite impressive, congrats on meeting your goal. Great critter photos and thanks for sharing.
Enjoy your weekend and have a Merry Christmas.

Crafty in the Med said...

150 hikes impressive!! Congratulations for reaching your goal! Very handsome horse and he looks well cared for. Wonderful array of photos of such a large variety of birds. Fascinating. Weather here in this part of Spain. As usual the eternal blue skies but quite chilly mornings and evenings. keep well Amanda x

RedPat said...

I love your pic of the blue heron! Have a Merry Christmas.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Funny thing is, I guessed horse right away, and then thought that was too easy and tried to come up with something else. I am glad I didn't change my mind. I always associate Limpkin with Florida. I saw my first one ever in Boca Raton.

Sandy said...

I/m glad you make it to 150 this year. It is a bit nippy here in north Florida. In fact, December has found us with shorts on one day followed by a sweater the next. I have pulled a bin of sweaters down from the top of my closet that I rarely wear. It isn't even winter yet. I have enjoyed vicariously hiking with you.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I guessed right and yes, it is a beautiful horse and apparently well cared for! As for our weather today? It was VERY, VERY COLD here this morning...4 degrees but it did go up to close to 30 when I trudged through the 13" of beautiful white snow to fill the feeders....:)jp

Ann said...

I guessed a horse. He's beautiful.
Congratulations on meeting your goal

John's Island said...

Hi Lavender Dreamer, Thanks for your kind comment on my blog today. I enjoyed all your photos today. Wow, that aligator ... looks small but serious! :-) You asked about the weather. Overcast, rain off and on, about 45F. Pretty typical for this time of year in Seattle. By the way, I was surprised to hear your hummingbirds left a couple of months ago. I would have thought they would stay there year round. It is a mild climate there, isn't it? Have a good weekend! John

NatureFootstep said...

the ears told me, a horse :)

Love all the birds you share today, especially the Limpkin. I have only seen it once but I like it´s coloring and form :)
And the Moorhen, we used to have a pair in a pond nearby but now they have been gone for 5 years. :(

Take care!

happyone said...

I guessed a horse! :)
Congratulations on getting all 150 hikes in this year. Going to up the goal for next year?

Connie said...

WOW!!! 150 that's amazing!

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Oh yes I did guess a horse--what lovely photos of your critters that you see on this hike--and lucky you are to have met your goal of 150 hikes this year--
so what will your goal be for next year????
luv and hugs, di

It's me said...

Love from me 🍀💕🍀Ria

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Yes, I guessed horse, just couldn't quite figure out if it was coming or going! LOL. He's beautiful!! Loved all your bird sightings and a gator too. You have done very well to complete so many hikes this year...but that has been very healthy for you to do, so I hope you will keep it up next year!! We love to go along with you virtually!! I miss my hikes. We take walks, but just not enough variety to suit me. Hubby is a creature of habit, however...LOL. I am thankful. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Lorrie said...

Congratulations on 150 hikes! Good for you. I did guess horse! Your bird photos are always so interesting. Some of those long curved beaks could do serious damage! Merry Christmas, Diane.

Terri D said...

I knew it was a horse!! Congratulations on making your hiking goal for 2020!! And thank you for sharing your hikes with us on your blog!! I really enjoy seeing your sights!

Kathy said...

I guessed horse also. What else could it be with those markings? I so enjoyed your pictures of the birds. And then you said alligator. Alligator? Uh... I would have run in the other direction. You are so brave!

Sandi Magle said...

Congratulations on reaching your personal goals. Well, I for one have enjoyed all your hikes and the wildlife...and photos! Thanks so much for sharing all you do...and have a wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year!

The Feminine Energy said...

Awwww... a sweet Blue Heron. There's a place not far from us where the Blue Heron visit, for a few days, on their migration route. They stop every single year at the same park. It's made the newspaper quite often through the years. There's a wonderful little inn near us by the same name.

It wasn't too bad of a day today in my neck of the woods. Near 40 degrees and overcast, no snow. So that's not too shabby for the week before Christmas. We were cleaning garages today and the weather was perfect for that job... nice & cool. ~Andrea xoxo

Jean said...

Wow. Congrats on meeting your goal of 150 hikes! A fantastic accomplishment. Fantastic photos. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

handmade by amalia said...

You are amazing, Diane. And probably in very good shape :-)
Amalia
xo

Anni said...

May your holiday week be blessed with happiness. Thanks so much for sharing this post today and linking up throughout 2020.

Yvonne said...

Your hikes are a feast for the eyes. I'm always taken back a bit by a sighting of an alligator, but I guess it's a common occurrence for you. An inquisitive horse greeting is a pleasant start to one's day.

My Tata's Cottage said...

Congratulations on your hikes and love all the photos and the horse. Very nicely done. HUGS across the miles

Anonymous said...

My guess was wrong. It looked like a llama to me! Congratulations on reaching your 2020 goal!!!! Great work!

dq said...

It is no where 70 degrees here. It was 14 degrees at 10:00 am. Yikes!
Enjoy the sun over there! The horse on your walk is indeed beautiful. I recognized those ears immediately as I have been around them most of my life.

THanks for all of the lovely nature photos!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Congratulations 150!
The horse has lovely markings. The ears are the giveaway. 😊