Florida Flannel and Fleece

 

We had cold air come down and stay for a few days but we're back into the 70s now! We took a drive on Christmas day and a hike on the day after Christmas when it was in the 50s! We put on our long sleeve flannel shirts and fleece vests and braved the elements to hike at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. lol But we didn't get photos of the best sightings. We saw a coyote. The same one we saw a month or so ago. It's bigger than usual and darker so it's easy to remember. We also saw deer...but no photos.

Northern Cardinal at HTP

So let's take a drive to the Gulf Coast when it's in the 60s and nicer to get out and walk.

This is a view of the Gulf of Mexico from the end of the Withlacoochee Bay Trail at low tide.

It was the lowest tide we had ever seen and the exposed mud was popping and snapping and making all kinds of crackly noises. I laughed out loud! 

And here are some of the birds we saw there.

He's blending in!

Dipping for something to eat!

Willet

Great Blue Heron

Great White Egret

Belted Kingfisher

Another Kingfisher with belt showing

Birds all along the exposed sandbars!

Oystercatcher

Cormorant

I hope you've had a lovely holiday and I'm wishing you a Happy New Year!

Enjoy each and every day! 

And get out in nature whenever you have a chance!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

***Merry Christmas***

 

We drove over to Sholom Park one day for a nice peaceful walk.

It's beautiful in the park, year round!

And there are always flowers blooming!

I like the imprint of the leaves in the sidewalk.

And the beautiful Koi fish in the pond.

I'm going to take a little blog break but I'll be back after Christmas. Hopefully with more joy and enthusiasm. Thanks to everyone who leaves me sweet comments and boosts my spirits! 

Happy Holidays to you all! 

Holiday hugs, Diane 🎄

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE .

28 Turtles and Counting!

 No, we didn't stop to count the turtles as we hiked Blue Run Park trail. We counted the ones we saw in our photos when we got home.

So what were they trying to tell us?

Were they there to warn us of impending danger?

Are were they watching us and laughing behind our back!

Because when we got to the bridge looking out at the Withlacoochee River, we were admiring the view...

Standing looking out at the water...

Watching some boats go by...

la la la la la!

And hubby said that dark cloud on the horizon looks threatening!

So we turned around and headed back to the Jeep. Did we make it all the way back before it rained? NO!

The wind blew and the 'bottom fell out'! And we got drenched! We were still 1 mile from the Jeep when it started to 'pour the rain'! But at least we didn't hear thunder or see lightening. And we had zip lock bags for our cameras. So it turned out to be an adventure story to tell. (and it was in the 70s so it wasn't a cold rain)

And it was a good day for ducks!

Wood ducks in the swamp.

Living it up!

And all's well that ends well!

Enjoy your week! Stay warm and dry!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

The Painted Lady butterfly

I still marvel that I can get out in nature and see something I've never seen before. I took a sandwich to Shangri-La campground to have a little picnic one day and see what the day would hold.

Painted Lady Butterfly

Isn't the underside of this butterfly amazing?

After I ate I went on a little hike. And I turned down a trail that I had never been on before. There was a pile of limbs and wildflowers had grown up around them. It wasn't very easy to get photos.

But the wildflowers were attracting lots of butterflies and moths. 

Gulf Fritillary

And I had never seen the Painted Lady butterfly before so that was something to celebrate!

Lots of little Warblers in the forest now.

And isn't this little Sparrow precious?

I love the small birds we see here in Florida.

A mosaic to share.

We still have roses blooming so I made myself a pretty arrangement.

Enjoy your week and spend time in nature whenever you can. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

It's December! YAY!

 

I'm very glad to turn a page in the calendar this month. November was incredibly hard for me. But I am blessed and want to share some photos from recent hikes.

A beautiful quote! 

Bella Moth

Bella Moth

No....I am NOT a chicken!!!

Palm Warblers

What's left of some of the wildflowers!

Downy Woodpeckers

A fancy figurine?

Or a knot on a log! Use your imagination to make it something beautiful!

We all go through hard times but it sure is nice to know there are always interesting blog posts to read and blog friends that go out of their way to be supportive throughout the year...in good times and bad. I am going to use this space for a personal note today. For the blog friends that I usually exchange Christmas cards with, just hang on to those cards until next year. I'm not going to send out cards this month. It just seems like too hard a task to tackle right now. I know you'll understand. (or you can read my last post HERE) 

I'm going to concentrate on spending time in nature and giving in other ways. 

Let's spread Goodwill all month long!

 And get out in nature whenever we can!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !