A 'Half a Hike'!

 A 'half a hike'? Is that proper English? Or just Southern slang?

I drove out to the Pruitt Trailhead but instead of going down to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, I parked in the regular parking lot and hiked the Florida Trail.

It was a glorious morning with temps in the 70s and a light breeze.

Out into the sunshine!

And when I got there, I was the only one there! (when I left there were 2 other vehicles with bike racks)
Since the two hurricanes blew through Florida, the birds have flown in!

All summer, I thought there were fewer birds but now they are everywhere in great numbers!

Not sure what this small bird is but I loved it's little feetsies! 

I walked behind some wild turkeys gobbling all the way....I mean THEY were gobbling, not me. I didn't even get a photo! But there were birds in every tree and the Swamp Sunflowers were in full bloom.

One of my best sightings was this female Blue Grosbeak.

She posed....

and posed 

and I was thrilled to get so close to her.

Another beautiful bird was this Northern Harrier.

I'm not sure what this wildflower is but it looks like a bouquet waiting to be placed in a vase!

But of course I'll leave it for the butterflies and bees!

Gulf Fritillary 

Dragonfly

Time to turn around at the FT sign!

We'll save the second half for next time!

I'm going to take a couple of weeks off to enjoy the season!

Are you seeing more birds where you live now too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Aliens from outer space....close to home!

 The 'close to home' part of my title concerns our weather.

With the storms this month we've hiked close to home and went on a camping trip close to home.

The Alien?

Don't you love this beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly?

He was very photogenic and stayed around long enough for me to shoot a whole roll of film!

I guess back in the days of film cameras, I wouldn't have gotten this many photos!

The month of October has been stressful from the storms and restful with the camping trip.

And I won't complain about staying close to home.

Our weather has at least been good for the mushrooms! Lots of moisture, heat and humidity!

Hermit Thrush taken at Ross Prairie State Forest

We didn't have any damage from Hurricane Milton! I'm keeping everyone who did in my prayers. And we continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Helene. It's been a tough Fall for this part of the country! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

The Blue Grosbeak at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

 Finally!

I've driven out to HTP once a week for months now and finally saw the Blue Grosbeak!

I saw two of them which was a thrill.

They are at the preserve every summer but this year I went all summer before I spotted them.

I was at the end of my hike and they flew right across the trail in front of me.

I get so excited seeing something special like this.

A photo of what I call 'the view' along the trail.

It's always beautiful out there and you always see something special.

I like to look through the trees at the view too!

This little Downy Woodpecker was very cute climbing up and down on this tree.

I also saw an Eagle on my drive over, but I'll have to share more Woodpecker photos today. 

One day I drove out to the Shangri-La trailhead and parked next to this persimmon tree.

It was loaded with fruit!

Have you ever eaten a persimmon? Pucker up! 

We haven't really turned the calendar to 'Fall' here but change is in the air!

We are heartbroken to see the horrific damage caused by Hurricane Helene in so many places. We lived in Asheville, Hendersonville and the small mountain town of Hot Springs, NC for many years and it is devastating to see the damage. And of course worrisome to know so many people are suffering. My prayers are for all those affected. Our relatives that live there are safe. But we appreciate your continued prayers. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Attention to detail

 Sometimes I hike. When I'm on a good trail and feel like stretching my legs and setting a good pace.

Other times I take a nature walk. 

'Attention to detail' is the ability to observe, analyze and comprehend even the most minute aspects of a situation.

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve gives you the opportunity to 'hike' and 'walk'.

I stopped under the big Live Oak tree that shades the trail about a half mile from the trailhead.

It's a good place to take a drink of water and look up into the massive branches of this tree for birds.

But this time something else caught my eye.

Then when I zoomed in with my camera I saw even more.

A perfect feather!

I thought at first it was a nest but I think it a branch that some big bird had lunch.

And if that wasn't enough to slow me down...

there were dozens of tiny frogs crossing the trail.

This one was so wet that it picked up little bits and pieces of the seashells that cover the trail.

Boy, is he going to be in trouble when he gets home.

He's so dirty and messy! 

It was a beautiful day on the preserve and perfect for a nature walk!

A blog friend asked me how long I hike. Always longer than 1 hour and up to 2 hours, depending on how much nature I stop to observe!

We survived Hurricane Helene without any damage to our house. There are lots of branches down in the back yard but so far everything looks fine. We are keeping everyone in our prayers today. It was scary to hear the high winds and rain last night at about bedtime. But it's a beautiful sunny day today! Take care and be well! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

The Florida Trails "Ross Prairie State Forest"

 Let's take a hike!

I've taken so many photos this summer and I know I can't share them all.

But I wanted to take you all on a hike.

Let's hike the Holly Hammock trail in the Ross Prairie Forest.

These photos are all taken on the same trail....

one right after another.

You can see how the trail changes as we walk.

This is all in about 2 miles of the trail (before we make the turn and loop back around).

It's always changing and one of the reasons you never get tired of hiking in the forest.

Let's take a drink of water now and keep going!

This is a good spot to look at the prairie!

Back into the brambles!

And since most of you follow my blog, you know all of the interesting things I see along the way.

So I'll go back in time and share these bear photos with you.

Black bears live in the forests here in Ocala, Florida.

Getting out in the forest is an experience you never forget.

The weather is changing and I'll be spending more time out there.

Who...Who? Me! Me!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !