We're taking advantage of the beautiful weather to get out every chance we get!
We actually hiked 3 hikes in two days!
But let's start with a drive over to Johnson Pond.
I wanted to go over there when there were big puffy clouds that would reflect in the pond.
It was gorgeous!
And we saw turtles, Moorhens and Red-winged Blackbirds near the water.
We love spending time at the Pond but also enjoy the hiking trails.
Lots of loops you can take and hike for as long as you want!
Nearby is another trailhead, Oxbow Trail.
It's a short hike to the Withlacoochee River and the river looked beautiful.
The Yellow Jessamine was in full bloom too and the vines were draped over many of the trees!
But I would not recommend the Oxbow Trail. When you leave the paved road and drop down into the parking lot...you DROP DOWN! It was a bad drop and the parking lot was in terrible shape. There were other issues too and if you are local and considering this hike, email me for details.
What a lovely way to spend a day in February! Temps in the 70s with low humidity! Doesn't get any better than that!
Have you seen any flowers blooming where you live?
Is the weather showing signs of Spring?
39 comments:
...a busy, beautiful day!
and two hours south of you we were at 87 at 2 pm.. still a beautiful day. i prefer 70's.. not 80's. i would love Johnsons pond, woods and swamp, nothing better or more beautiful and the perfect time to hike there. mid summer would be mosqutioes, congrats on 3 hikes 2 days. the past week, i have done 2 extra walks per day because Beau could not play ball and needed extra walks, we both loved. great post and enjoy our beautiful day to day
Gorgeous photos and what beautiful hikes. I have sure been getting out enjoying our weather too. I dread our summer heat returning. Have a great weekend!
Hello Diane,
I love your header photo, is it new! Your photos of the sky reflections and pond are lovely.
Great sightings of the turtle, moorhen and anhinga. The trail and flowers are pretty! The parking lot does not sound good, I hope no one damages their vehicle. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
That blue sky is amazing!! I always love to see the sky reflecting in the water. Here we are getting spring showers.lol The temps have risen but it has been raining. I am ready for some sunshine. We had two beautiful days earlier in the week where it felt just like spring.
You guys are enjoying your lives and I'm enjoying reading all about it and seeing the fabulous photos that document the beauty of the real Florida. Take care my friend.
Looks like some beautiful places to hike. You are blessed to have them near you. Yes, I've seen a lot of the Carolina Jessamine (the yellow vines in the trees) blooming, and those little tiny white flowers on the ground are blooming in our woods too. Plus the "fairy flowers" (little purple flowers growing on a tall strand of "grass" in our yard, A.K.A. Weeds or wildflowers) Of course the azaleas are blooming all around too. Spring has sprung here in north central Florida! Love it. except for the pollen...
Reflection photos are so lovely.....
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isn't it wonderful when everything comes together like it should!! you are so lucky to be able to hike like you do, i can't wait until it is warm enough for me to ride my bike!!
the first 3 images are really stunning, i'm happy for you that the clouds cooperated!! i wondered if you see anhinga's regularly, i can't remember?!
no flowers here (except the ones in the house) and it is spring only in my heart!! hehehehe - what a great post, have a wonderful weekend!!!
How nice not only to be able to get out and enjoy nice weather but to have such beautiful parks nearby to explore. That picture with the clouds reflecting in the water is really pretty
Beautiful pics. Love the sky and the water pics looks like you enjoyed your walk.
The only blooms I see here are in the grocery store's floral shop. lol. I envy you that warm weather. We just got above freezing a few days ago and I am thrilled. We are potty training our new puppy and he does NOT like the cold weather but will race through the snow when I let him out to do his business.
Happy Hiking-I am jealous- xo Diana
Wow! ~ what a lovely place and fantastic photography! Happy hiking to you ~ you know how to live ~ Xox
Living moment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
What beautiful skies. Love the big puffy white clouds and the reflection is gorgeous.
No signs of spring here yet!!
It all sounds really wonderful! We are having our snow melt away and I hope it is the last of it but March can bring many surprises!
Looks warm and what fun to see flowers in bloom!
Wow beautiful reflection shots!
How lovely! Well, not the part about the parking lot, but the pictures are beautiful.
Diane...I'm nearly speechless!! Your nature photos today are phenomenal. Truly.
Thanks for choosing to share this post with us birders!
It's great to do this kind of hiking when the temperatures are so pleasant. Hot, steamy days are ahead!
Wow! We're still knee-deep in snow. It's so nice to see turtles and open water!
You got your wishes then Diane? Everywhere looks beautiful, especially the reflections in the pond. What a shame you found a few issues. But it's very nice the way you offered to advise others.
Hello Diane,:=) Nature is good for the soul,... there is nothing better than the outdoors, and walking in such beautiful places, with an ideal temperature to boot.. Great reflections Diane, and trail shots.
Los paisajes se ven preciosos. Por aquí también hay muchas flores silvestres florecidas. Besos.
Can't think of nicer views for your (many) hikes. Enjoy!
Amalia
xo
Just breathtaking. Thank you!
Yay to spring almost here and walking!
Lovely photos
Gosh, it's all so beautiful there. Some green plants are starting to come up through the frozen ground here. Spring really is coming! You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
You are so lucky to have those walking trails close to you and so accessible and with the warm weather, they look gorgeous! I'm still wearing multiple laters up in the mornings!!!...jp
Another wonderful hike and beautiful photos. You live in an nice area surrounded by nature and lots of trails. Thanks for sharing, have a great new week. Happy hiking to you!
Great way to spend a day. Beautifully captured!
Our yellow jasmines were blooming profusely this time last year. The artic freeze prevented that this year! Even bushes and shrubs died!
how beautiful! It is a bit like Sweden where I live but with "extra all" as you have species we don´t.
Loved to see the trees in the wetland and your shot of Anhinga...gorgeous.
Glad you have good places to hike in.
Take care!
Beautiful day and beautiful place for hiking. Wish I could join in the hikes. Beautiful photos from your hikes.
Beautiful series, I love the scenery.
What lovely skies! How fun to see that rather large turtle!
We’ve been so lucky in our weather so far! And Spring is definitely in the air (so far). We do have pollen ...I guess it is everywhere. Masks do double duty!
A beautiful day, lovely photographs.
All the best Jan
The reflection of the clouds in the pond is so pretty. That first picture is very cool. The red-winged blackbirds are so neat with their red under their wings. Such an unusual bird. Wow, two hikes in one day, I bet you were pooped. ; ) That's awesome Diane.
~Sheri
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