Slow hiking in the heat of the summer!

 I wanted to give these beautiful deer there very own post.

I parked at the Pruitt trailhead to hike the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve trail. There's a locked gate with a small opening so after I walk through that, I'm on an old roadbed. And later it is grassy but we won't get that far today. My hike was cut short because of a thunderstorm that was headed my way.

When I looked ahead at an old fence line with shade from huge Live Oak Trees, it looked like a goat standing there. 

I walked slow and steady hoping I wouldn't spook whatever it was.

 

And when I got closer, it looked like one of the deer was lying down, which is unusual.

One of the deer stayed in sight and the others went back into the tall grasses.

And just when I was zoomed in with my camera! 

I had another deer photobomb me! That gave me a start! 

This deer ran across the road right in front of me.

I didn't get to walk much farther before the one young deer decided I was close enough and the lady in the pink cap might indeed be a threat. So he bounded off too. But it sure was a neat sighting.

I walked far enough to look out at the preserve and take a few wildflower photos. And then I walked at a faster pace to get back to the Jeep and come home. But I sure felt exhilarated after such a neat sighting!

St. John's Wort with a tiny insect

We've had more pop up rain showers but we've also found a few openings to get out on the trails! I hope you have too!

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