We found a new bench on one of our hiking trails. It's up on a plateau where some bike trails intersect so I'm sure it was put there for the mountain bikers. I hope they don't mind if I sit there and ponder from time to time.
I have to say I have lots of happy places to hang out. There are benches and picnic tables all along the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. But to tell the truth, I rarely sit down.
We found this new bench on a hike a few days ago and then I went back up there to sit and observe. I told myself I would sit there for 15 minutes but I didn't quite make it. I would rather be walking around, seeing what's around the bend.
Bike Trail Signs....and NO we don't walk on the bike trails!!!
We have the most beautiful Phlox growing along the highways right now and I parked next to a patch.
Lots of butterflies and bees!
I hope you can find your happy place. Even if you can't get out and walk, sometimes a drive in the country or a visit to a lake or river can give you a nature boost. It's important for our mental health. And you just never know what you'll see!
What do you think this is?
I've shown one before so many of you will remember what it is. They are hard to see on the ground among the leaves.
I brought it home to photograph it with my roses.
It might be a tiny hummingbird nest!
UPDATE...I had my doubts and they were confirmed by two of my favorite Florida blogs. Pamela sent me a link (in the comments) and Wally sent me this link in an email. It is NOT a hummingbird nest. It looks very much like one we found a few years ago. But it is the cocoon of the polyphemus moth. Thanks for all of your sweet comments and for the help in a proper ID. I'm still learning!
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44 comments:
Nature provides so much to see just like a hummingbird nest, but I am such a happier person when I get outside everyday. The health benefits are many. I love seeing your neck of the woods.
I'd be outside too but it keeps raining here! LOL! I love phlox....such gorgeous colors. I've never seen a hummingbird nest....so tiny! TYFS!
...it looks like a happy place to me. Benches are a welcomed sight.
Wow! A humming bird's nest! They are so tiny.
Read online it is mating season for alligators. I thought of Florida. Stay Safe!
Well now, I have never seen a humming bird nest until now! How cute! Love that bench and I would surely sit and ponder there! Maybe too much! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
What beautiful pictures.
Nice that you can rest on the couch during your walks.
The hummingbird nest is very special.
Greetings Irma
the hummer nest is amazing and I don't remember seeing one before. Wow! love the place to sit for awhile, the only place i can sit and enjoy sitting is at a beach with waves, to sit and listen and watch the birds and water. in the woods it would be only if I got tired and had to... love the jeep in the flox meadow
I was going to say hummingbird nest! They are so tiny! And it's almost hummingbird season here! The Phlox are beautiful! I do have a happy place, and it's here at home, on my land, in my woods...life is good! ♥
It's wonderful to get outdoors! I'm sad my frog survey is done!
Amazing! So lovely
Imteresting! The tiny hummingbird nest
Happy Mosaic Monday
Much💛love
I have never seen a hummingbird nest, that is amazing! Your photos are beautiful!
The Phlox is beautiful along the roadways and in the fields! I was in awe of the beauty on my ride home from Ocala Saturday. I went up on I-75 but came home on the 'back roads' and wished I could take photos of that lovely Fuschia color everywhere I looked. Thanks for the photos! xo
Oh delightful ~ the little nest you found and Happy Places are good for the soul ~ Me and my Yorkie like walking and we have a fenced in yard with a labyrinth and we love Home best ~ Our Happy Place ~ Xo
Wishing you love and laughter in your days ~
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Your hikes are always interesting. I can see why they are your happy place. Mine is my beach walks.
Hi Diane
A beautiful hike and scenery! I love your sporty red 4x4! That hummingbird nest is a treasure from nature.
We have 45 miles of trails right in our "backyard" so we are fortunate. The foothills will soon be full of wildflowers--one of my favorite sights, and happily, we finally had some well-needed rain today--yippee!!
Dearest Diane,
I also rarely sit down when hiking, after sitting I'm often more tired than before ;-). The phlox is beautiful, especially when such magnificent butterflies flutter around in it. As for your find, I thought it was an insect cocoon, but I didn't know it was a hummingbird nest! Sooo tiny!
Your beautiful wandering posts would go well with linking to the Wanderlust blog parade - you're cordially invited (see my post).
All the best, hugs and Happy May,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/05/wanderlust-blogparade-der-u30blogger.html
That is a hummingbird nest? Amazing! You remind me I need to check the hummingbird migration map to see how close they are to us. Spring is late this year so they may not find many flowers and insects to eat here.
Amazing!…beautiful post….happy week love Ria 🍀💗🍀
Oh my goodness! I had no idea what that was! How precious!!! And I spy am awesome Jeep!!! Enjoy, and thank you for the inspiration to get outside!
My happy place is Happy Trails. :)
It's beautiful there, I can see why it's your happy place. That hummingbird nest is amazing.
Diane - I am like you - constantly in motion! Since I started paying more attention to birds, I do try to force myself to sit still for 10 minutes or more in the hopes that I will spot more winged friends. I get impatient!
I am typing this from the Salt Lake City Airport, and I am anxious to get home and set up my hummingbird feeders - neighbors tell me they have returned! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
I love that you have found your "happy places" on the trails. There are so many beautiful trails here in this area of our state. We are blessed to be near them, and you are especially blessed to use them so frequently. What a gift! I do think, however, that the "nest" you found belongs to the https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/MOTHS/polyphemus_moth.htm "Polyphemus moth". Check out that link and you will see a picture of the moth and the cocoon further down on the page. I had one similar last year on my Rose of Sharon bush. I watched it and watched it for the longest time, but when it finally hatched I totally missed it. I think hummingbird nests are more open on the top like a real birds nest, but much tinier. But either way, it is a very interesting discovery!!
My favourite local park here has a lot to benches. Some of them are quite favourite of mine, but just like you, I have never sit on any one of them. Busy walking around. You certainly have found some wonderful treasures.
-Soma
Diane
I am happy you dropped by and linked in at Monday WRites
Much💛love
You live in such a beautiful place with many intriguing things. Like you, I rarely sit down on a hike except for changing lenses or batteries of camera. But I don’t keep walking, rather often stop to search for something or to photograph. I saw hummingbird nest for the first time. Phlox is beautiful.
Yoko
Hello,
The bench is waiting for you! Love the beautiful wildflowers, what a lovely sight. I have never found a hummingbird nest on the ground, they are tiny.
A walk with nature is one of my happy things to do. Take care, enjoy your day!
This is a really beautiful post with wildflowers and moments in nature's world. I love the darling hummingbirds nest.
Wish that I were more like you! I need to get off my duff and move. Going right now!
I admire you with this tours. I couldn't any more walk longer as 20 minutes. The tiny hummingbird nest is amazing. The blooms around your ways are wonderful ... I enjoyed reading.
Have a good week.
I love that you walk and that you take your camera and share your walks with us. Your posts are always filled with natures wonder's. What a marvelous God we serve!
Hello,
I am just like you, I have to try to sit during our adventures, and I never make it over 10 minutes.
I enjoyed your jeep in the flowers.
We found a cocoon like that too. :-)
You sure do see a lot of interesting things on your walks. And it's nice to have folks help with IDs - that polyphemus moth cocoon is a great find!
I enjoy benches - I find myself sitting a little more than I used to!
Your happy places are so full of light and warmth and sunshine - things that wrap around you like a cozy blanket. Thank you for sharing them with us. I loved that pink phlox, and the photo of your Jeep in the grass.
Me encantan todos tus paseos, las flores se ven preciosas. Muchos besos.
Oh, I love that bench. It's nice to just sit there awhile and be still and reflect on all our blessings that we receive each day. The Phlox looks pretty gracing the fields. And you find the most unique butterflies. Yes, I do have a happy place, the Creek nearby. Always something interesting to see there. The moth nest you came across is an interesting sight. I can see how you thought it was a hummingbird nest, it's so cute and small. What a pretty picture of it sitting on your rose.
~Sheri
ps.....that flower is amazing on your Header. I know you've shared it before, but I never tire of seeing it. It's so unusual and beautiful.
~Sheri
How wonderful! A hummingbird’s nest … that is as rare as finding a fairy’s nest in the forest. :)
I just wish we could see that giant moth when it emerges from one of those cocoons sometime! I wonder, do you ever use the "google lens" feature on your phone? I find it very helpful in identifying plants and other items I find in the woods. It isn't always correct, but it gets me on the right trail sometimes. Do you know where it is on your "Google" app? Check it out if you don't. You will like it too.
We haven't been able to get outside for over a week now and your post has served as a balm for our addiction to Nature!
The colors of all those flowers is stunning!
Thank you for the therapy.
That bench looks like a great place to ponder. I always find nature to be so fascinating. xo Laura
You have an eye for finding unusual things! The new bench reminded me of my neighbor who is a bit younger and me. She and her husband loved hiking on a trail near here. A couple of years ago he died unexpectedly. She had a bench installed on the trail and she goes and sits there when she misses him. Says she feels close to him there...
Lovely photos of your walk, I love the bench along the trails, for me it would get some use, after injuring my knee a few years ago and recent surgery a nice bench to sit for a spell so I can continue on is ideal.
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