Winter hiking is the best here in Florida, as you can imagine!
A 'bird' ornament high in the pine tree! It's REAL!
And some Reindeer Moss!
Temps were in the 60s and 70s for these hikes....perfect!
And there are some trails that I have to save for the cooler weather. Walking down in the canal diggings is too hot in the summertime. I can hike in hotter temps as long as I have a bit of a breeze but in these low areas it's hard to 'catch a breeze'!
This is a section between the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway paved trail and Shangri-La.
It's very peaceful and I love these big old limestone formations.
I know I've shown them to you before but I still love to share.
You can imagine faces and animal shapes in some of the rocks.
When I got back up to the higher trail, I spotted an American Kestrel.
I thought it was perfectly posed and took a lot of photos on the perch.
But then it took off flying to snag a Dragonfly in it's talons!
So then I took another group of photos.
Time to stand still and watch the Kestrel eat lunch!
I was ready for a break anyway!
Amazing!
Nature has outdone herself this winter with red berries!
What a fabulous day for a wintertime hike in Florida!
38 comments:
These are such great photos. I feel as if I were there with you. And I wish I were. I'll bet it's much warmer than here in the frozen north. Even in nature it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
...winter you say? Diane, you capture some fabulous scenes. Reindeer Moss grows here too, but in larger clump. I love the berry nice holly berries!
That bird ornament is so cute.
You got some great shots of the kestrel having his meal. Poor dragonfly!
Did you find a home for your pixies?
WOW on the Kestrel Dragon fly Buffet... awesome shots, great find. I would like to have that path leading to my log cabin in the woods.. so beautiful, my kind of place to walk for sure....
Hello Diane
You have so many adventures when you set off on your hikes, never knowing what wildlife you will encounter. You must have been thrilled to see the American Kestrel, and your captures are great.The poor dragonfly didn't escape the talons of the Kestrel, not this time.Gorgeous berries in the forest.and lovely photos.
Have a nice weekend Diane
All the best
Sonjia
WOW!!! you got some amazing photos of the Kestrel ... eating lunch. ;-)
Beautiful woods sceneries and wildlife
I cannot help but wonder how those kestrels catch a dragonfly the way they zip and dart around like they do.
Wow! Such great photos of the Kestrel! That is great! I'm so glad you shared them with us. I love seeing things like that. Looks like a great place to hike. You are blessed to be so close to the trails there. Thank you for enjoying them for us!
Beautiful photos as always.
Your winter walks are like my summer walks. :)
Wonderful photos, Diane, especially of the kestrel catching and eating the dragonfly. But my favourites are the ones with the red berries - they are plentiful here this year, too. Happy hiking!
That is fabulous! Aloha
What a great place for walking. I love all your photos. You always see so much
You really make me miss Florida as we cope with the cold, cloudy and windy weather. It has been nearly two weeks since the mornings have been pleasant enough for our usual neighborhood stroll.
Hello,
I can imagine winter is a better time for hiking in Florida.
Great views of the trail.
Love the series on the Kestrel and dragonfly, they are beautiful.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
I think I'd like winter hiking in Florida lots more than winter hiking in Michigan!
What an exciting hike!
A live Christmas tree! I didn't know you had Reindeer Moss in Florida? But not many reindeer I guess.
You made me feel guilty about not being out there this morning. But yesterday looked a lot like your wonderful series of photographs! Except my kestrel just sat on his post and didn't treat me to the excitement yours did!
Great time to be on Florida's trails.
Thank you, Diane, for sharing.
Amazing series of Kestrel photos!
oh the circle of life, sorry to see the dragonfly go!! awesome captures, i image it is much nicer in florida, the weather much cooler. we have visited this time of year and enjoyed the temperatures. we have also visited in january and froze!!
your flight captures are really good!!
Oh what wonderful hiking photos and the kestrel ones too ~ such a pretty place ~ great temps for you ~ hugs,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days ~
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
That sounds like perfect weather for hiking. It isn't really winter here yet but not as warm as you have it.
Love the Kestrel shots.
You do have some lovely spots to hike around. Never realized that kestrels went in for dragon flies.
Awesome hike and photos. You captured a lot of beauty. Thanks for taking us along.
A big WOW from me.
You got, and shared, some wonderful photographs of the American Kestrel.
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
Lovely captures of the Kestrel doing its thing.
Hello!
I can imagine the heat must be a problem at your place, and the winter temperature is better. I'm surprised that the Raindeer Moss grows there. It grows here too in the forest. Beautiful photos of the American Kestrel.
Happy weekend!
Your hike sounds amazing! Loved the wildlife sightings, especially the Kestrel catching its lunch. Beautiful photos!
Preciosa caminata, me gustó todo especialmente los frutos rojos. Un abrazo.
Precious day to hiking Diane, and nature showing. I love the American Kestrel, far out.
Thanks for bringing us along on this beautiful hike!
Great photographs and lovely quote from one of my favorite bands - ABBA! Thank you for sharing these joyous moments with all of us. Take care.
you saw birds in the winter...wonderful
The kestrel photos are stunning, Diane.
What a delightful place for walking!
Hugs and blessings
I've enjoyed my wander with you in Florida Diane! I was there in September and it was soooooo hot, this cooler weather is perfect to stop and capture some lovely photos. The berries in the UK are incredible this year, they say it is an outstanding year!
Have a lovely week.
Wren x
Nothing like a wintertime hike through the woods.
O,I haven't see reindeer moss in awhile. Unique stuff.
Lovely red berries. Fits in so well with the season.
Thank you again for this wonderful post. What a wonderful hike. Admittedly, I envy you a little for that. My mobility is limited ... so I always enjoy your fantastic posts, dear Diane. The pictures - photographing the birds in flight - are impressive.
Thank you so much for this wonderful post on
MosaicMonday
Hugs from Heidrun, I wish you a pleasant time
Post a Comment