Saturday, May 11, 2024

Hiking the Florida trails in early summer!

 
We are definitely feeling the heat and summertime humidity but it's still really nice deep in the woods.


Between camping trips, I head to the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway and on this particular hike, I went down into the diggings.


It's cooler and extends my hike to closer to 2 hours but it has it's own rewards.


On this hike, I went to Josef's table. 

It's a table in the middle of the forest, dedicated to Josef who loved to hike.

I left a seashell from Canaveral National Seashore on the table the last time I visited and it was still there.


Something new was this beautiful little Chinese Zen planter.


It was on the large boulder next to the table.


The tiny plant was pretty too!


And behind the table someone had put together a ladder. It's a little big for the gnomes that live there so I'm not sure who uses it. Any guesses?


Always pretty wildflowers and this caterpillar was colorful!


I wanted to include photos of this duck that showed up in our flower bed this week too.



I think he stopped to take a break on the way to the neighborhood pond. 


I asked him, but he ignored me.


Now back to the hike deep in the forest to find the monsters!


You know I saw some! 

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

45 comments:

Sandy said...

Awww. The little duck is cute. Always love the pics from nature.

eileeninmd said...

Diane, Happy Mother's Day weekend to you!
I enjoy going along on your hikes.
The memorial table for Josef is nice and I like the cute planter.
The ladder might only be for the little ones.
Great capture of the colorful caterpillar and I love the pretty flowers.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

What an awesome critter week! I think my favorite this week was the caterpillar, we do not see those very often around here.

Lea said...

What a beautiful hiking trail!
Love the Duck, and the flowers are pretty.
Have a blessed day!

Tom said...

...keep using your imagination!

Jeanie said...

This looks like a beautiful place to walk. I love that Josef's memory is save and shared in that table.

Marcia said...

You do capture some interesting things on your hikes. Enjoyed this one.

Iris Flavia said...

Love that Josef got such a place and that your shell was still there, too.

Ann said...

It looks really beautiful there. Nice place for a hike. I wonder if maybe that ladder is where woodland fairies perch when they get tired. :)

Red Rose Alley said...

That duck is sweet. And what a nice visit from your flower bed. The caterpillar is very unusual looking. And that is a thoughtful table in memory of Josef. I like Chinese Zen planter too. You have a pretty Header today with the lily pad.

Happy Mother's Day!

~Sheri

Cloudia said...

It is so lovely coming here! Thank you Friend aloha

RedPat said...

It is a bit cool here today so that looks like a nice hike and a great trail. It is nice that Josef is remembered and the table is not vandalized. Have a great week.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Happy Mother"s Day!

Is that a male duck? I thought they are suppose to be more colorful and fancier.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane :=)

The forest looks lovely and discovering the shell you left on the Josef's table was a nice surprise, and also the Chinese Zen planter and plant. I realise now that it is not so uncommon for hikers to leave a little something behind, as you are always finding things. As the ladder doesn't lead anywhere or couldn't as the distance between the two trees widens, I think it was made to hang things over it! The caterpillar is absolutely gorgeous, and the duck is very attractive, at first I thought it was a garden ornament, and then I saw the feet. Beautiful wild flowers too.
All the best and hugs
Sonjia.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

That maybe a 'she' duck and she might be laying eggs there???
wonderful nature photos as alwa
hugs, di

Kathy said...

This is a great hike. I feel as if I were with you and I really wish I had been. Thans for sharing so many beautiful things.

John's Island said...

Hi Diane, Wow, your very first image is wonderful. Josef’s table looks like an excellent spot for a rest and/or a picnic. I just don’t know about the ladder. 😊 The caterpillar is another wow! I just love the last image of the duck that showed up in your flower bed. It looks like he is saying, OK, take another picture! 😊 Happy Mother’s Day weekend to you! Thanks, as always, for sharing your blog. John

Terri D said...

You have such a good eye for terrific photos of things I am sure I would walk right past. I would have noticed that sweet duck, though. How handsome!! Warm Southern hugs right back to you!

doodles n daydreams said...

I enjoyed our walk and how cute, the duck coming into the garden. Beware of monsters, 😄

ann said...

You always find the most interesting place to share, along with an interest narrative.

Irma said...

Beautiful series of photos.
Fortunately it is not that hot here yet, today it is predicted to be above 20 degrees Celsius.
I wish you a beautiful Sunday.
Greetings Irma

MadSnapper said...

twas a beautiful day in your neighborhood and happy trails for you on your walk. so much beauty so little time.

Shiju Sugunan said...

Beautiful photos! Love the hidden treasures you found, especially the Zen planter and the caterpillar. Happy Mother's Day weekend to you too!

BeachGypsy said...

Love all these pictures Diane and hope your mothers day was real nice!hugs!

Teresa said...

Hiciste un precioso reportaje, siempre es un placer para mí pasear contigo. Feliz día de la madre, en España fue el primer domingo de mayo. Besos.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

Thanks for sharing your hike with us. You got some great shots and the duck is so cute. I hope you had a nice Mother's Day. I hope you haave a nice week.

Tine de Jong said...

A beautiful walk with the beautiful photography along with it and I also liked the colorful caterpillar very much. If I were a little better on my feet I would have gone up that ladder though. Best regards, Tine NL

Wally Jones said...

What a great hike. It's amazing how much a degree or two less can make in our comfort.

It's almost that time of year to get out early so we can get back in early.

Enjoy the new week!

carol l mckenna said...

Another great post and photos ~ love that you found a Buddha on your hike and the duck is so sweet ~ hugs,

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

Lowcarb team member said...

I hope you had a lovely Mothers Day weekend, here in the UK we celebrated ours in March.

I do like the Chinese Zen planter, and it was nice to see the duck in your garden.

Have a good week.

All the best Jan

magiceye said...

Lovely photos of your sightings on the hike.
The duck seems to be a professional model!

Marit said...

The cooler forest sounds like a good place to visit. I liked to see the Zen planter. The duck looks great. I hope it enjoyed your flowerbed. I love your new header.

Hugs!

italiafinlandia said...

What a pleasant hike! I like the places you describe.
Lovely caterpillar.
Have a great week!

italiafinlandia said...

What a pleasant hike! I like the places you describe.
Lovely caterpillar.
Have a great week!

Aunt Helen said...

What a great hike!! You saw many different things on this hike!! I liked everything!! The picnic table was a surprise! The wild flowers were nice, and I loved the caterpillar! But, I really loved the Duck in your own yard!!! Love, Aunt Helen

Barbara said...

My late husband taught me this funny little ditty about ducks. See if it makes you smile; you may have to read it aloud to get it.

M R ducks.
A R not!
O S A R! C M wangs?

Linda said...

What a gorgeous duck it’s neat that your shell was still on the table.

Caroline said...

Beautiful photos of Florida. Lovely ducks. Have a nice day. Greetings Caroline

Katerinas Blog said...

Your photos are stunning!
Very clean, the ducks were alive!!
The walk in the forest brings us peace!
I'm following you now to learn new blog updates!!

Debbie said...

i have been so busy, i am sorry for my late visit!! i am happy for you that you are still able to hike, even in the warmer weather!! you shared some great images, i feel like i was right there with you!! the duck is amazing, you really got some great pictures!!

and maybe bring a sandwich to enjoy at the picnic table!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Maybe a tiny elf is using the ladder to climb away from the monsters that lurk on your forest floor. It's pretty over there and your hikes are wonderful.

EricaSta said...

What a lovely walk, with several details ... and rememberings.
Hugs by Heidrun

Carla from The River said...

I love the photos of the duck, but he sounds a wee rude to ignore your question. Ha Ha!!
Fun post my friend.
Carla

EricaSta said...

Thank you for sharing at MM. This wonder of nature is stunning.
Hugs by Heidrun

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The caterpillar is spectacular. Unless I am mistaken it is the larva of an Echo Moth.