Always changing!

 

We can always count on things changing. We might hope that everything will get better as the years go by and some things do. But one thing for sure, be prepared for things to change.

I like the change in seasons. Even though I complain about the heat and humidity, I love the long summer days and bright Florida sunshine. I even like the pop up rain showers we have at this time of year.

Rain showers bring flowers! 

There's always something blooming here, year round. And these Virginia Creeper leaves were even colorful.

Oh and speaking of changes. We lost a big beautiful tree in our neighborhood this week. 

The view from my front door.

I'll share some mosaics! 

My friend needed a spot to put down her cup of tea! lol

But you know what? We stood outside with our neighbors and watched in wonder at the great job the tree crew did and our friends talked about what kind of tree they want to plant to replace it. So it's all good!

Do you see the one yellow flower in the forest?

Look closely....there's only one!

Hope you see the silver lining in every cloud...well, in most of them anyway! Life goes on!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.   

What a difference a day makes!

 Or in this case, a week!

Red-headed Woodpecker

We aren't hiking as often because of the summer time weather so it had been a week since I hiked the Florida Trails (West section) and Bluebird of Happiness Hill was humming!

Or maybe tweeting!

I saw dozens of Eastern Bluebirds.

I loved capturing these two together.

Wonder what they were saying high up in the branches of that old snag.

And there were several Doves.

Maybe wondering who the lady in the pink cap was, far below.

Lots of Woodpeckers as usual.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

But the biggest surprise was the hundreds of Warblers!

They don't stay still enough for many photos....

but I sure enjoyed seeing flocks of them flying about.

And the sweet bird song makes a hike even...

sweeter!

Have you seen more birds at your house this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Get out there and mix it up!

 

I live in a retirement community in a comfortable home. And there are times when it would be easier to stay at home and relax. But I don't like to sit still and do nothing. I like to be active.

And I can't remember when I've had a more interesting and unusual week as this past week.

We hiked a familiar trail and saw log trucks. 

Way back on the land that constitutes the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve are some pine forests. Here's a photo of the locked gate they go through, it's not open to the public.

But we happened to be there to see 3 big trucks haul Texas Toothpicks out of the forest. (that's what we always called the tall skinny pine trees)

And then there was an early morning meeting with a very special young man.

One of my sons was passing through and I got to have breakfast with him and hug him about 100 times! 

That really made the week AMAZING!

And then I got to do a good deed. I'm not at liberty to say what I did. But I will say I didn't hesitate to do the right thing. And even though I will not know the outcome, I hope and pray someone is very thankful for the hiker in the pink cap this week. I know God blesses us when we live our lives caring for others and following the Golden Rule. 

So I have had lots of good feelings and special blessings this past week. 

Have you had a chance to let your light shine?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.  

Bees and Bugs and Birds

 

We headed out on a warm muggy morning to hike Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt trailhead.

It wasn't terribly hot and there were some clouds in the sky but the humidity was high and there wasn't the slightest bit of breeze so it felt pretty oppressive. But we have to pick and choose hiking days in the summer months. And I was SO ready to get out in nature.

This bee looked like he had enough pollen collected to head back to the hive!

And hubby took a great photo of this beautiful green dragonfly.

But then we saw that a Robber fly had captured the dragonfly.

They were very still for a few minutes and then the Robber fly flipped it over and gave us a stare down.

Doesn't it look like something from a Science Fiction movie?

We saw Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Hawks, Grackles, Ibis, Warblers and Herons.

We heard Bobwhites calling to each other all along the way and thought we saw one at a distance.

We zoomed in for the photo but it appears to be a Meadowlark. 

Possibly a juvenile Meadowlark. Another good sighting.

Halloween Pennant

It was a good hike and worth a little 'perspiration'. Hike #88!

We are supposed to be in the high 80s for the next few days. I know it's hotter in other parts of the country right now. What are your temps this weekend?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Summertime and the living is HOT!

 It's been awfully HOT to hike (even in the mornings) but I've managed a few this past week. 

And it's been a great week for sightings!

Mr. Bunny and I stopped under the same shade tree. I pulled out my water bottle to get a drink and looked over and he was watching me! 

I'm not sure what this little bird is but he was well hidden in these leaves!

Dragonfly and Swallowtail Kite

The Palmetto Palms are in full bloom and you can smell the sweet scent and hear them buzzing with bees and insects!

I call the hill at the turnaround point, Bluebird of Happiness Hill and we always see a nice variety of birds and critters.

I even heard 2 Bobwhites calling each other at the end of my hike when I stopped to pick a few blackberries. Don't pick this one! It's not RIPE yet!

Is it blackberry season where you live? 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.  

How about a Rhinoceros Beetle for a pet?

 

It's always interesting to come home after a hike and try to identify everything you saw.

I was pretty sure this was a Rhinoceros Beetle but I was surprised to find out a lot of people keep them for pets. OK...that's interesting! But I think I'll leave him to enjoy the Florida Trails! lol

I hiked the Western section of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway twice this past week and saw different birds and critters each time. It's really hot and humid to hike even in the mornings but I love it!

 

This was a neat sighting.

A Northern Flicker (yellow-shafted)

We've seen them before but the light was just perfect to show off the yellow feathers in his tail.

And doesn't he look like he's part of the tree?

I watched this Brown Thrasher fly across the trail. 

He caught a bug and then ran across the trail...I mean RAN!!!

One more neat 'bug'! This is actually a FLY!

A Robber Fly!

You just never know what you'll see when you get out on the trails. Below is a Dayflower.

Ever had a bug for a pet? I had pet turtles when I was a girl and that was fun! We bought them at the dime store! lol

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.