Friday, July 7, 2023

Hiking in the summer months!


 Maybe I should have titled this, 'very few hikes in the Florida heat'! The temps are high and so is the humidity. And what hurts me the most is the lack of a breeze! 


So the hikes have been few and far between. But of course any time you get out in nature you see something noteworthy.



I drove over to Halpapta Tastanaki Preserve and walked a little from the Pruitt trailhead.

This one had the catch of the day and was singing a happy tune!


It had rained some but the preserve is still very dry. Lots of beautiful birds to observe though.


I love the Eastern Meadowlark.


Another one down the trail.


It has a very loud musical song so when you hear it, you can usually find it in the tall weeds or bushes.



I saw this pretty butterfly and I think it's a Checkered White Butterfly.


What's the weather like in your neck of the woods? 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

 I’d Rather B Birdin’, 

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  


53 comments:

Jenn Jilks said...

We need rain, as well!
Lovely seeing your birds.

Lea said...

Great photos of the Meadowlark.
Pretty flowers, too. Love the butterfly!
Have a blessed day!

Tom said...

...you are a harcy one, I'm trying to stay cool. Be well.

Cathy said...

Such beautiful birds and butterfly. Hope you have a great day!

MadSnapper said...

i think even the birds are too hot. we saw one in the front yard that looked HOT and worn out. I can't stay outside more than 10 minutes at a time, i do beaus walk before sunup and still the humidity steals our energy. last night at 5 pm, our themomter said 100.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Lovely photos!

This morning is gorgeous here in Vermont. There has been rain or heat to deal with, but this AM, the humidity feels lower.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am sure that heat and humidity is hard on all the wildlife, humans included. I can't even imagine it.

Cloudia said...

Nature does always reward us. I can almost hear the meadowlark in your post. Stay safe friend. Aloha

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

Diane, you got some great shots of those pretty birds. It's hot here too. I will be that way for the next two months. I hope you have a nice weekend.

Barbara said...

What an interesting shot you took of the Eastern Meadowlark with a mouthful of insect! You really have a sharp eye as you take your pictures!

As for hiking in the summer months, that does not appeal to me much. When we step into the garage to get our bicycles right after breakfast, often we can already feel the heat and humidity, but at least the breeze over our skin's surface is a big help once we get cycling.... motivation to keep pedaling!!

roentare said...

I love that look of Eastern Meadowlark. Quite loud it seems

happyone said...

Our weather has been spring like. Doesn't really get all that hot here where I live. It was 65 this morning when I walked and I was sweating - that was hot for me. :)

Pamela M. Steiner said...

The weather here is just like yours...hot, hot, and more hot, and humid, humid, and more humid! you are brave to go hiking in this weather. My body just cannot take it even for a short walk. I love the Meadowlark! So wonderful that you were able to see them...they must be nesting by the looks of that grasshopper in its mouth...maybe feeding some babies. We used to have Meadowlarks in a place where we lived before so many houses were built there to drive them away. I can remember hearing them singing in the morning, and I loved them so much, and was sad when they went away. I've not seen them since, even though we live in a different place now, but just not the right kind of environment for them. I am happy to know they are still around, at least in the preserves. Thank you for sharing it with us. I would love to hear it singing.

Terri D said...

Giggle. The weather here is the same as it is there! Bless you, for getting out in this heat and humidity. The photos are lovely and I love that butterfly!! xo

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Wonderful photos - love the meadowlark and butterfly. It was very hot here over the 4th weekend, but has cooled to comfortable for a few days, at least. Hope you get some relief soon. x K

Irma said...

The birds also it warm, judging by the open beaks.
We had a bad storm this week and many trees were blown over.
Now it is also very hot for the Netherlands today, 34 degrees Celsius is very hot.
I wish you a very good weekend.
Greetings Irma

Ann said...

You do always manage to find something good when you are out hiking. We had 2 really hot days with high humidity and then thankfully it dropped yesterday back into the 70's.

Penelope Notes said...

Don't know how critters manage when it's too hot. The very early mornings are the best time to be out and about because by late afternoon the heat builds up. Finger crossed it will rain significantly soon.

Linda said...

We just had a week of really high humidity, hardly went outside at all. Lots of lovely photos from your walks.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Well despite the heat and humidity you did great getting out there for your hike. I just love the Meadowlark, they are beautiful bird. Pretty butterfly capture and the flowers are pretty. Great post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.

Marcia said...

It's hot for New England. Temps moderating next week.

Wally Jones said...

Hot and humid?? I hadn't noticed. :)

What a lovely collection of photographs, Diane! We love the clear melody of the Meadowlark and they seem to be everywhere we go lately.

That's a really nice shot of the Checkered White. I'm not good enough to catch them with their wings open like you did.

All is good just to your south. We get out early and dodge a bit of rain, but, hey, it's summertime in Florida! We are also eternally grateful to whoever invented air conditioning.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Miaismine said...

I’m visiting you from LeeAnn’s I Like Thursday. Yes! With our Southern New Mexico heat, it’s like living in quarantine again! Lovely photos!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Diane
We have had unusual weather along the Colorado front range this spring into summer. It has thunderstormed almost every day-we've already had a year's worth of rain --there have been areas where giant damaging hail has fallen. It has also been unusually cool --50s at night and 70s during the day. I love the cooler temperatures but not so much the torrential rains and fear of hail. The high Rockies still have lots of snow so I think it is causing all this strange weather as warm air passes over the cold mountain air. I doubt many tomatoes will grow for me this summer.

Jeanie said...

I love that you caught it with a mouth full of -- something!

RedPat said...

It has been hot & humid here as well although I'm sure not as hot as what you have. It certainly isn't the time for a long hike. You saw some great birds on your short hike.

Lowcarb team member said...

You did well to get out for your hikes.
I enjoyed your photographs.

We had some much needed rain today.

Happy weekend wishes.

All the best Jan

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

You made the most of your hike in the heat. Some beautiful pics of the birds.

magiceye said...

Beautiful captures!

Linda said...

Fine photos of the birds and butterflies. It’s been hot in Virginia.

Shiju Sugunan said...

You've captured some stunning shots of those beautiful birds. I'm delighted that we've transitioned from the scorching summer to the refreshing coolness of the monsoon rainy season here. The butterfly is gorgeous.

Bill said...

Wonderful sightings from your hike and beautiful photos. Our temps are not even close to what you are experiencing. Raining off and on for most of the week with thundershowers coming today in the afternoon. Stay cool and have a great new week.

carol l mckenna said...

Oh such a delightful series of nature shots despite the weather ~ Wow!


Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, you got the bird with his beak open and singing his song. He's a pretty bird for sure. And I love that white butterfly. I think one fluttered by at the creek yesterday, but it didn't stay long, so I wasn't sure. It's warm here, but not too hot, a typical Summer day in the mountains. That's a lovely picture of the yellow flower on your Header also.

Have a relaxing Sunday, Diane.

~Sheri

Phil Slade said...

I've always wanted to see a meadowlark and I am green with envy that you got those great pictures.Now I will have to wait again until you come and collect me for the trip to Florida.

Bob Bushell said...

The Halpapta Tastanaki Preserve must be beautiful images, I love so many.

italiafinlandia said...

Hello and thanks for sharing your pretty captures.
The weather in Finland is changeable with temperatures around 20 degrees Centigrades.
Have a great new week ahead!

Marit said...

Beautiful photos! I love to see the flowers and butterflies.

Teresa said...

Tus fotografías están muy bonitas, me gustan mucho. Besos.

Carla from The River said...

I love the butterfly, what a fun name for a butterfly, Checkered White Butterfly. :-)
I like the plant the butterfly is on. :-)
Sweet little flowers.
Carla

Haddock said...

That white butterfly is unique.

Yvonne said...

Some really nice photos on your short excursion. We had a nice breeze this morning, which had the big tubes of the windchime making a melody. Of course, it eventually turned to just hot and humid. Your post before this one is fantastic. What an adventure. The Blue Grosbeak photos are perfection. Seeing a Bobwhite, you seem to be in the perfect place for so many nature adventures. I'm so happy for you.

Rainbow Evening said...

the Eastern Meadowlark looks so pretty.... love it

Creations By Cindy said...

Wonderful pictures as always. You take the best pictures! Happy July. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You're quite brave to go outside at all in the heat that I'm reading about there. It's cool comparatively) here in Oregon although there were a couple of 90 degree days. We could use rain also -- that wet stuff sure isn't divided up right across the country is it? As always, I love your crystal clear beautiful bird pictures. Off to catch up on Florida nature by scrolling through your posts below. Always, thanks for sharing the joy!

stardust said...

I know how hot and humid weather affects you. But birds look full of beans, that's nice. Checkered White Butterfly is new to me, so lovely. I’d like to send some rain to your region. It rains more than enough or too much depending on the part of my country.

NatureFootstep said...

the buterfly is a real beauty. :) And of course, so is the Meadowlark :)

Tanza Erlambang said...

temperature reaches F100* in our area...hot.
great you can do hiking....and take beautiful photos.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

The weather here is awful. It's hot, but even worse is the muggy humidity. It feels like I am opening an oven door when I step outside. :(

BeachGypsy said...

Awww-- look at those beautiful Lil birds ---singing their little hearts out!! In a song language only they understand. Oh yes--- it's very hot here too. I read it's really bad in texas

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Beautiful photos! Hiking for me has slowed way down too, due to the heat. Our last couple "hikes" we're more like "stop the car at the side of the road so I can take a picture!" Not much exercise in that activity!

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I'm in Philadelphia and the weather is very hot!! Usually about 95 degrees during the day. However, it is about 68 or 70 early in the morning. So I can get in a 7:00 am walk . By 800 it starting to be sunny and HOT!! Love all your photos You get such great shots of the birds and butterflies.

Debbie said...

wonderful "buggy" captures, that was great timing!! we have family in florida and have heard about the heat. stay safe in the house, in the a/c and admire your catalog of pictures!! enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!