Sharing the Trail at the Shangri-La trailhead!

Let's drive back over to Shangri-La trailhead!

(horse trailer from the rear)

You can always count on seeing a few horse trailers and horses on the trails.

But let's see if I can find a parking space! lol

Some of the trails I hike on are shared trails but that's never been a problem.

I sometimes see a horse but it's an easy trail to step aside. And I always give the horses a wide berth. I don't want them to be nervous around me.

And the riders are always friendly when they pass.

Don't you love this horse trailer and the artwork at the top?

It's beginning to be one of my favorite hikes because of the beautiful forests with a chance to see wildlife and birds, flowers and butterflies.

Zebra Swallowtail butterfly, bull thistle

And when I left, this lone turkey wandered onto the dirt road in front of the Jeep.

So it was a chance for me to pull over in the grass and watch him wander!

I think I've learned my hiking form from him...a bit of a wander and meander!

Have you seen signs of Spring at your house this week?

It's beautiful here in Florida and I'm still hiking just about every other day which makes me happy AND healthy!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Let's go back to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon!

 

When we want to see a lot of birds and wildlife, we head to Blue Run Park.

White Ibis

It's also a place to 'visit' with a few regulars. A lot of people go there every day to walk or ride bikes so it's fun to see some familiar faces.

We love seeing the boats on the Rainbow River too.

The bridge is near where the Rainbow River and Withlacoochee Rivers come together.

 
The Withlacoochee was sparkling on this particular day.

And below the bridge we spotted two alligators.

Two Red Shouldered Hawks were perched in a tree nearby. 

I have one pictured below but he really blends into the trees!

There were so many small birds but I think most of these are Yellow Rumped Warblers.

One more with the yellow rump visible.

And this is easily identified!

Wood Duck

He flew past us and landed in a pool of water close by!

And then he flew out again!

Lots of neat turtles on the logs.

And a Moorhen hiding in the tall grasses.

I love my forest hikes but you can see a lot more birds and wildlife at Blue Run Park!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve - Plan B

 I've learned over the years not to worry if I get a late start or change my mind about my original plan. 

Iridescent Green Beetle

There may be a reason not to go in the direction I was headed.

On this particular day, I had planned to take a hike from the trailhead near my house, beginning on hwy 484. But when I came to the hwy, the traffic was at a standstill to my left. So I turned right and drove to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

It was a beautiful day and I saw lots of birds and wildlife.

I love this new sign on the fence post.

Gray Catbird

I found out when I got home and searched online that the traffic was stopped because of a bad wreck involving 2 cars and an ambulance. It had happened less than an hour before I left my house. So I was thankful for my late start that morning.

I watched 2 Florida Scrub Jays from a distance.

I see the most variety here on the HTP preserve and it's one of the first (it's actually the second) trail we ever hiked here in this part of Florida.

Three White-tailed Deer ran across the trail right in front of me! I was happy that ONE showed up in my photo!

Dove

Flycatcher

Monster (thanks for asking, Iris! I always wonder if anyone will question my 'monsters'. This is a broken trunk of a tree about 4 ft high. It looked like a huge 'monster' bird...just for fun!)

And how about this very cute animal track!

So it turns out that Plan B was the best plan. It's great to have so many trails close by so that I have choices. I have much to be thankful for!

Are you having good weather to enjoy time outdoors?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Blue Run Park and the sights on a Spring day!

 I don't know where to start!

Well, I know where to START....

 

Green Heron

I just don't know where to end!

I hate to leave out the several species of Warblers or the Herons, turtles and alligators, flowers and butterflies but I'll have to save some of those photos for another day.

He put his best foot forward! 

Did I mention that the weather is perfect here in Florida right now?

Oh, I did? lol

Cormorant

If I had more time and energy, I would be out on the trails every day.

Oh, I've said that already too!

I do believe this is the most beautiful Great White Egret I've ever seen.

Even the photos taken through the leaves that aren't perfectly sharp look beautiful and dreamy.

It was a perfect day for a special outing and we enjoyed visiting with others that were there enjoying a day at the park!

We had expected some major paving on the trail but they had just patched some areas so that was nice! 

Pied Billed Grebe with the catch of the day.

We'll go again soon!

Oh wait....a cute little baby gator! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

King Kong, Fact or Fiction?

 

Well, we all know there is a King Kong because we watched the movie when we were kids.

But I'm more likely to see Bigfoot in the forest around here.

I have heard crashing around in the woods and underbrush but that would probably be caused by a black bear.

I spotted this sweet little forest gnome on this hike.

You can see it was hard to spot on the top of a big boulder.

When I finished my hike in the diggings near SR 200 I got to watch a Brown Thrasher digging for worms and insects.

He was scattering the leaves and having a fine time.

I stood very still and watched him.

So what does this post have to do with King Kong?

I found the jungle where he lives.

It's been a long time since I watched the movie but these big boulders made me think of King Kong and glance over my shoulder when I heard a noise.

This one was a big as a house!

What would you rather see....or hear in the forest?

an imaginary monster

 I guess we all like the sounds of bird song best!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !