The woods and preserves have been covered in Swamp Sunflowers for a couple of months and we are still seeing quite a few but now the Garberia is in full bloom.
"Garberia is unlike most species in the Asteraceae family in that its growth habit is woody and shrubby rather than herbaceous. Garberia is endemic to Florida’s north and central peninsula, and occurs naturally in scrub and xeric hammocks. It typically flowers in late fall but has been known to flower sparsely throughout the year. It is a state-listed threatened species." Quote taken from the website HERE.
Most of the blooms are a pretty lavender color and they look beautiful out in the woods with the pine trees.
The butterflies love Garberia!
We've hiked a lot of different trails lately and seen so many things. But one day, we headed off in a different direction in the woods, staying off the paved trail. And when we were finishing our hike and intersecting with the paved Florida Trails, I saw the blower coming.
(this is a photo from the past)
Volunteers drive this ATV on the paved trails, blowing the leaves and pine needles off. And over the years I have talked to the couple that does this job. They always stop to let you pass, so that they don't blow leaves all over you and it's been a chance to chat. We would swap sightings and stories and they even gave me maps of the trails. So when I saw them coming I waited. But it was two women. And when they stopped the lady I knew told me her husband had passed away. That was very sad and I felt so blessed to have a chance to talk to her. She was planning to move away so I probably won't see her again. And she told me they had a bench dedicated to her husband near the 49th Ave trailhead.
It took us 2 hikes to find it but we did! We won't ever forget Kenny and his sweet wife. They have made such a difference in our lives.
Always clearing the path for everyone with a wave and a smile!
(a photo from the past)
Enjoy your week!
I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .
I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and
36 comments:
...it's gorgeous and it's a wonderful butterfly magnet!
Luv the butterfly sipping from the flowers
Happy Monday
Much💛love
this is really sad and I am glad you got to talk to her before she leaves. it is a wonderful park
Pretty flowers! Love to see the butterflies! Enjoyed the scenic views too
Have a great week!
The garberia is beautiful. I've never seen one of those "blowers" at work. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
a beautiful wildflower
Oh -- the bench is a perfect memorial for this special person who made a difference. Something we should all aim for. I am glad you took time to talk to this lovely couple and that you shared this with us.
I like the special bench. It is a perfect memorial.
I hope that my husband and I are remembered in such a way in our little village.
Carla
How wonderful that you got to see the woman you know and to wish her well, and to also find the bench in honor of her husband. Lovely flowers and another fine hike in our beautiful Florida!! xo
Awe, what a perfect memorial sighting for you and how sweet that you had the opportunity to speak with his wife. Amazing at how God will place us oftentimes in the just the place we need to be. Happy Monday to you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Beautiful photos of the garberia and the butterfly. I am so sorry to hear that the flowers are listed as threatened species. I am so sorry to hear about her husband. I am glad you got to talk to her and also found the bench.
-Soma
I've never seen that before. It's really pretty.
"The butterflies love Garberia", and so do I, lovely photographs.
It was so fortunate for you to see the woman you know and be able to wish her well. That is a nice looking bench in memory of her husband.
All the best Jan
Beautiful photos, as always, Diane. I love those butterfly shots, especially!
I've not heard of Garberia before, but what a pretty plant. I'm glad you were able to speak with Kenny's widow, and find the bench dedicated in his memory.
Thank you for this beautiful and uplifting post!
What a sweet couple and a great way to remember him....with a bench in his honor.
Glad God provided an opportunity for you to say goodbye to his wife.....
We can’t take the safe and clean trail for granted. It would be so nice for trail rangers to be remembered like the plaque on the bench. Garberia is fantastic; they look beautiful at the foot of pine trees as you wrote. I’m always reminded that there are countless flower species I’ve never seen.
Yoko
Diane - the Garberia is such a unique plant. If I was a butterfly, I would hang out there too! So sad about Kenny; a lovely idea to have a commemorative bench. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
so interesting to see wildflowers from other countries. Thank you for sharing.
It looks like a lovely place to walk. Enjoy your week, stay safe, and thankyou for visiting my blog last week.
Hello,
The Garberia is pretty and I love the butterflies.
The bench is a nice tribute to Kenny the volunteer.
Take care, have a happy day!
Oh, what a lovely thing to do, that bench! I like that it says to "wave" at the bench for Kenny...His memory will be honored by all who pass by there. Very special indeed. I love garberia...and always enjoy seeing it along the roads in the woods down around the Ocala National Forest. We don't see it as much up here where we are now and I miss it. Thank you for the pictures! This was a lovely post, and I am sure Kenny would be so pleased to be remembered. Saying a prayer for his widow that she will be blessed wherever she goes.
Pretty pictures, and thank you for sharing the story of the gentleman who donated so much of his time to nature. Hopefully people will appreciate the bench.
I love those pretty flowers and the butterfly. How nice to go for those hikes and see beautiful nature. I hope you have a nice week Diane.
Such a pretty flowers! What a nice memorial bench!
Never seen before such Garberia. What a lovely bloom. The Story is amazing to read and sad too, that he passed.
Happy MosaicMonday
What a wonderful tribute, to a very giving man. Sitting on a bench always reminds me to reflect on the life we have, and be thankful for it. Blessings to his widow.
I love the sweet Cuckoo bird on your last post. Happy hiking! Love, Aunt Helen
kenneth, doing what he loved!! how nice that his wife accompanied him and that she has carried on the tradition, if only for now!!
i see my black swallowtails have made it to florida. take good care of them, your pictures are gorgeous!!
Aw! So sad! So nice that you were able to connect with his wife one last time and find the commemoration bench. He sounds like a very special soul. The flowers are gorgeous and so nice to find them in bloom. Beautiful photos. x K
Just stopping by again to say many thanks for the update on the apple cake recipe, I recently posted on the low carb diabetic blog.
I am so pleased you are enjoying it, and can tweak it a little to better suit you too.
Tea and cake sounds so yummy :)
All the best Jan
Hi, What an interesting story about Mr Ferrell and talking to his widow. Thank you for sharing. Also, you write the best comments. I always enjoy the comments you leave for me. Thank you! John
The Garberia is beautiful. How providential that you met your trailway friend. The bench is a very nice dedication.
I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Kenny, and that's so nice that they made a bench dedicated to him on the trail. It sounds like he was a special part of that area. The Garberia is so pretty, and I'd love to see the butterflies fluttering about on it. What a pretty orange and brown butterfly. And it's wonderful that you know so much about the Garberia flowering plant. Diane.
~Sheri
I love seeing that sweet butterfly. Ours are gone for the season. Thanks for linking up and have a great weekend.
Blowing the pine needles off of the trail, what a good thing for the parks to do. Walkers can handle the leaf litter but someone in a wheelchair would have a bumpy ride. I'm glad they do this.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Un bonito recuerdo. Las flores y mariposas son lindas. Besos.
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