A nice long hike at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

 

I finally got on the trail at Pruitt for a nice long hike. 

It was less hot, less humidity with a breeze! 

Those days are few and far between in the summer months.

I took my time and took wildflower photos to my heart's content.

I saw 4 Bobwhites and 1 deer and a Hawk (no photos) but I took my time and enjoyed 2 hours in nature.

A quick photo of the wild honey bee hive, still active.

One small airplane flying overhead,

as well as Swallowtail kites and buzzards.

It was a welcome sight to see the Eastern Meadowlark and I enjoyed the song they sing.

Velvet Ant

The old shed with all of it's rustic beauty.

And a spider.

I got back to the Jeep and thought there was NO WAY I would stop for another pretty flower and neat bird. I had apple slices to munch and water to drink and I was ready to go home! 

But as I drove the dirt road to the hwy, I looked out in the pasture and saw a family of Sandhill Cranes.

So I took my one last ounce of energy and got out to walk the fence line and take pics. 

They walked and I tried to keep up!

Mama staying close to the young one!

Papa with all of the brightness of his colors! 

And the little one trying to keep up!

Getting to see the young Crane and this beautiful family was worth the effort!

I hope you find a nice day to get outside this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Walking out the front door to hike!

 It's hot....what can I say! 

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

This is not in focus and I usually like crisp and clear photos but for some reason I love this duck in flight!

I've walked over to the neighborhood pond a few times in the late evenings to get some exercise and see some birds.

Oh, and watch the sunset!

I watched a Canada Goose leading a flock of ducks in a late evening round of golf.

So what's the hold up?  Can you try to keep up!

Oh my, are all geese this bossy?

This is a female Boat-tailed Grackle. Thanks for help with the ID Wally! And thanks Eileen for mentioning with Whistling Duck. I'm still learning!

And this is White Ibis with some of the sunset colors giving him a golden streak.

There were several ducks on the pond with young ones in tow.

One more photo of how pretty the homes look here in the summer months with flowers blooming and flags flying!

Standing in my front door!

I hope you are enjoying some summer time walks!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Let's hike the trails at Manatee Springs State Park

 

Even though the Springs are the highlight of a trip to Manatee Springs, you know I'm going to find some hiking trails to explore!

So let's take a hike on the Sink Trail Loop first.

It was a beautiful trail with some really big surprises along the way.

Coral Bean in bloom.

Hubby leading the way!

We watched deer along the way and that's always fun.

But the surprise was the sink holes.

We see a lot of sinkholes here in Florida but these were the prettiest ones I've ever seen.

I'm not sure how many we saw on this short walk but I think I photographed 6 of them.

They all had water in them and were crystal clear!

How do you like these vines looping around over the sinkholes? 

We also hiked Deer Run and saw several small birds.

Northern Cardinal

Warbler

You couldn't sit down because the bugs would attack! 

And then there are the forest monsters to worry about!

I came home like a kid that had been to summer camp....bug bites on my legs and a patch of poison ivy on my ankle.

But of course I wouldn't have missed a thing! 

And getting out in the forest is what I love best!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !