Memorial Day and Duck Duck Jeep!

 I know we all have a heavy heart with the terrible tragedy in Texas unfolding but it's a good time to remember our heroes in the military. We observe Memorial Day to honor the men and women who lost their lives while in service. We have so much to be thankful for living here in the USA! 

And it's always encouraging and uplifting when we can reach out to each other and bring some happiness.

I've had my Jeep for over a year now and I still love it. 

It's been great for driving around on the backroads of Florida on our hiking adventures. (not crowded in these destinations)

When we were at the Gulf Coast, a Willys Jeep did a little circle near me (at the boat dock) and I said Hello, I have a Willys too! (her windows were down of course) 

She grabbed a little rubber duck off the dashboard of her Jeep and handed it to me with lots of smiles all around!

And then on another day, we were at Blue Run Park when I put a duck on the door handle of this pretty blue Jeep.

 

And as soon as I did, this pretty young lady walked up with a smile on her face and we chatted and took pics. 

It's always nice when you can reach out to others and make a connection. 

AND share some smiles!

Have a beautiful week ahead. 

Florida Manatee Facts

 I don't claim to be an expert on 'all things Florida'. I just wander around this beautiful state (mostly in North Central Florida), taking photos and then pouring over identification books and searching online to educate myself on what I've seen.

But it is very nice when you see something and find out, you did indeed see what you thought you saw! 

I'll give you a nice link HERE to read facts and information on the Manatees.

Most of the websites I found that give more details are newspaper articles that let you view it one time and then asked for you to subscribe. So I won't give those links.

So what did we think we were seeing? 

It looked like a Manatee had beached itself. 

It swam to the shallow waters and was on the sand, with a lot of the body exposed.

What was it doing? From what I read and can understand....it was mating season.

The female can be pursued by a mating herd and she may try to beach herself to get away from them all. 

They splish and splash and push to release her from the sand and then they do what manatees do and then they all swim away as fast as the eye can follow! So that's what we saw.

We thought at first the one manatee that was beached was in trouble. And the others were trying to help. OK! That's one way to put it. I think it all ended up just fine but it was an interesting sight to witness. I read in some of the newspapers that people will call to report a manatee in distress when this happens. We watched until everyone was back in the water though so we weren't worried. 

This all took place on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail looking out into the Gulf of Mexico.

When you could look away....

an Anhinga and 2 Ibis were flying overhead!

Amazing!

White Ibis

Do you have a good weekend planned?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

Jungle Trekking

 

Florida can look and feel very jungly (is that a word?) at this time of year.

Everything is green and lush and some of the vegetation reaches out and tries to grab you when you walk.

We really enjoyed the boardwalk at the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve.

The drive out there was a one lane dirt road which makes you wonder what you've gotten yourself into. 

But we only saw 2 other vehicles the whole time we were there and they were both parked. (we didn't meet anyone on the narrow road...whew!)

The boardwalk itself is just like new and absolutely beautiful!

Lot of overlooks and benches and information along the way.

Lots to learn!

And what views!

The visitor center was not open (except for the screened in lower level) on the Sunday we were there but it's very nice too.

We walked and walked and enjoyed our Sunday morning until we got off onto the grassy trail.

The bugs were awful! Flying all around, trying to get in your eyes and mouth! The only thing I can say that was good about them is they didn't bite! We were surprised. It still wasn't pleasant to be in a swarm of non biting insects though! heehee!

It was a beautiful day and we'll go back again soon! (preferably when there's a breeze)

Dove in a Pine tree

Have you gotten out for a nice walk this week?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

The Neighborhood Pond

 

I haven't shared photos of the neighborhood pond in awhile.

Mottled Duck (I think)

As a matter of fact, I don't go over there as often when we hike so much. But I'm sure I'll walk over at sunset more this summer. 

This particular day, I had been to the restaurant to pick up 'take out' and the back of the restaurant is all glass looking out over the golf course and pond. And I saw something amazing! But I didn't have my camera with me. It was a flock of White Pelicans. So that's why I went back over there in the evening to see if they were still there. Keep in mind that we live less than 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico but it's still unusual to see Pelicans at the pond. And yes, we live close enough to walk to this restaurant. (I had a fish sandwich and hubby had a Reuben. We live on a golf course and there are some very nice amenities that come with that.)

So even though I didn't get pics of the Pelicans, I enjoyed the walk over there (and even talked with some neighbors that were walking in the cool of the evening). 

And it was nice to stand under the shade trees,  looking out over the pond and watching the ducks.

Looks like a few young ones still with Mama.

And some others together as a family.

The sun was low and casting a nice glow on these.

The pond, a Grackle and a Red-winged Blackbird

When we woke up this morning, a flock of White Ibis walked through the back yard. 

Ready for another round of golf!

We love living in Florida. It's not for everyone, but we love it year round! 

Get outside and enjoy your day and the special place YOU live!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Wildflowers and Garden Flowers

 Isn't it nice that we don't have to choose? I am enjoying bouquets of red roses in vases from my flower beds right now and every time we hike we see more wildflowers in bloom.

PawPaw

Even the orange Butterfly weed is blooming this week!

I'll share photos without trying to ID them all.

Dandelion 

I learn a few new names every year but I forget a few too! lol

Emilia fosbergii-Florida Tasselflower. 

This is a new ID for us this year. It has a tiny red bloom.

And this flower bed is across the street with a variety of flowers in bloom.

The Easter Lily is especially pretty right now.

And this huge cluster of Lilies is in another neighbor's flower bed. 

Do you have a favorite flower that's in bloom right now?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!