I was looking for a day with big billowy clouds for a drive over to Johnson Pond in the Withlacoochee State Forest and this day was picture perfect!
The trail was dry and the woods are starting to green up even more.
It's only about a mile to the pond observation deck but it is getting pretty dilapidated.
There was even a board missing in the walkway.
But I took my time and then stood still to soak in the beauty.
I kept seeing something jump in the water below the deck and just happened to see this tiny frog jump out of the water onto a lily pad. That really made my day.
Do you see him now?
The lily pads are beautiful year round and I saw one big bloom in the distance.
I love coming here and I didn't see anyone else on this hike.
This is the marshy area near the pond with teeny tiny flowers growing in the water.
But when I finished, I saw that my hiking friend had left a painted rock.
Respect
What a beautiful way to spend an afternoon!
Have you been to a state park or state forest lately? It's worth the drive!
I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and
45 comments:
That frog on the lily pad is so cute. What a lovely place to walk.
Good morning! Thank you for taking us along on your hike! I loved seeing that little frog in his happy place! We have a state park not that far from us, and when the kids were little, we went there every October for "Fall Family Fun Day"! It was so beautiful and peaceful. We would pick up a pizza and my parents, find a picnic table near the playground under the trees, and spend the day. We sometimes brought the kids' bikes and scooters too. I remember my mom throwing pebbles into the stream with each of my children. Thank you for the memories today. And yesterday, I took the jeep out for our first spring ride!
...beautiful sights that I will be able to enjoy here this summer.
I love all these trail you have in Florida and that you use them and then share them with us, your friends. Your frog sighting was fun, I know you must have enjoyed it. Thaks for sharing all these great photos with us.
nothing like a day of billowing clouds, trees and woods and of course a few frogs thrown in. nothing could be better
Heavens no! But I am glad that you can enjoy the possibilities.
You hike in the most fun places. Love it God's beauty is surely stunning isn't it? I haven't been to a State Park in a while. We need to venture out about one Saturday though. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
I'm amazed you were able to see that little frog. Super photos. Hugs, Edna B.
I love wandering here with you! Spring is more subtle in Hawaii but yes I feel it!
I enjoyed hiking along with you.
Such beautiful. And I love the little froggie.
Hello,
Looks like a beautiful day for a hike. I love the pretty clouds and sky. The waterlilies are pretty and frog is cute. Lovely post and photos. Take care, have a happy new week!
Johnson's Pond looks like a beautiful hiking destination. The little frog on the gigantic lily pad is a lot of fun!
I haven't been to a state park for a long time - but we do visit our provincial and federal parks regularly. lol
Beautiful territory! I am so delighted the frog came to greet you!
What a beautiful place and it looked like the perfect day. Good eye spotting that little frog.
So cute to see the little frog on the lily pad.
LOL... answering your last question: Yes, I work in a state park, Monday-Friday, and have great respect for all who visit and love the land and the wildlife - like you do!! xo
Hi Diane
Your clouds are lovely. We had some lije those today.
Nice mosiacs.
Thanks for linking up at my blog today.
Much💜love
Your photos are peaceful and beautiful. I would be thrilled as well to see a frog on a Lilly pad. Tonight my husband and I took a stroll around the Intracoastal walk in our area and we saw a tarpon jump high twice in the water. We were thrilled too. These simple treats in nature are so fun to see.
It looks very peaceful there, Diane, and I loved seeing the frog sunning itself on the lily pad. We still have snow but we need it as another drought is predicted for the west this summer.
Such a nice place to enjoy a beautiful afternoon! All the lily pads are so peaceful, and the lily flower is beautiful. So fun to see the little frog, too. The tiny white flowers are so pretty. I haven't been to a state park in a while due to cold weather, but looking forward to some picnics soon. My favorite one now charges $10 to get in. I suppose it helps with maintenance, but geez....Thanks for the pretty walk. x K
Beautiful photos! In many places it is illegal to leave painted rocks in parks. It is not allowed in National Parks because the paint could be harmful to wildlife.
Beautiful reflection of the clouds in the water.
I think it's great to walk there.
The stone is really very beautiful.
Greetings Irma
Maybe a local nature club could take on fixing the dilapidated woodwork. Best not to let it deteriorate further.
Beautiful photos of your walk. The pads are beautiful.
cute frog ... love her..
Yes, I believe, this was a beautiful way in the wood, on the small lake ... and of course, I saw the little frog. Most I like the Lily pads, too. They are wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Happy MosaicMonday
What an absolutely lovely spot!
The clouds cooperated nicely and the reflections on the pond's surface gave us double our pleasure.
Amazing how refreshed I feel after just seeing your post! I can only imagine actually being there.
Have a great week!
What a beautiful place! Love the sweet little frog. Looks very peaceful!
It's a wonderful way to spend time! I love that hike and maybe I am anti-social or something, but I think a hike where I didn't see anyone else (except the person I came with ;>) would be wonderful. I love the little frog. I like taking pictures of tiny things as my eye sees them and then with the Zoom. So fun... when you download the camera the zoomed picture is like a little present, you see things you didn't notice.
I am in love with that little frog. ;-) I love little frogs too, I had a few visit our garden this past summer. I hope they come back. I also had a huge toad, I loved him or her too. Hee Hee!
Springtime can be so wonderful ...
You've shared some beautiful photographs, thank you.
Enjoy your week.
All the best Jan
Beautiful pictures! I love the tiny frog! What a great picture! And the lilies are starting to bloom? I haven't seen too many yet here on our pond. I think that storm we had last week knocked a lot of lily pads underwater and they are starting to pop back up and look more active now. I love those tiny white marsh flowers. we have some of those around our pond too. This is a great time for walking in the woods before it gets too hot and the bugs start biting again! So much beauty to behold! Thank you for sharing yours with us.
Diane - I would also be delighted to see that little frog hop onto that massive lilypad. It's like something out of a children's book! We still have lots of snow on the ground, so no hikes for us (yet)! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
Beautiful scenery and weather. I love the painted rock thing, but have never found one myself.
El paseo merece la pena por que es precioso. Me encantó ver tus imágenes. Besos.
What a sweet little surprise on the lily pad! Those small things always make my day. We love finding those painted rocks. A few years ago the grandgirls and I painted several of them and left them around in different spots. xo Diana
Need to force myself to get bundled up and go for a walk after seeing your pictures. We've not seen sun in days, so your pictures really made me smile. Gorgeous, each and everyone. What a wonderful place to walk, but be careful and don't fall in...the missing board makes me wonder how strong the rest of it is.
Sandy's Space
Oh, what a special rock that is that someone left. I love what it says, and the other side with a rainbow. The lily pads are pretty, and that frog is just so cute. He looks like a baby. The water looks like it's filled with the lily pads, what a sight! I love the photo of that crooked dangling tree branch. That is an unusual looking tree. I like that little walkway, and it looks like there are picnic benches to sit and eat at. What a nice day you had.
Happy Spring Diane.
~Sheri
we have gone on several day trips and we have really enjoyed getting out again. but like you, we are not really around people as our outings are in nature!! be careful with the boards on the bridge, i was walking on an old one and my leg went through. pulling it out was painful, and it ripped up the skin.
nice to see the frog, it was a tiny one!! did you keep or leave the rock for someone else to find??
Hi there! I’m visiting from my frien Terri’s page. Just trying to get back into blogging again and yours seems lovely. I love nature and your photos. It is early Spring here in southern Indiana. We recently went to Patoka Lake State Park. Just starting to get a little green. The daffodils are out and dome pear trees with white flowers.
It is a beautiful place, with billowy clouds even more. I hope they fix the boards before anyone gets hurt. Really is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon.
-Soma
Awesome photos. What a great place for long walks. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
Looks like a beautiful place to walk. Hopefully, they get it fixed back up. xo Laura
What gorgeous photos! That frog on a lily pad really made my day. You see that in cartoons, but I’ve never seen it in real life. Thanks for capturing that for all of us.
I must follow your lead and visit a park soon!
Post a Comment