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!
35 comments:
Thanks for posting - wonderful photos and info.
I've been there, but never explored the trails.
Ed
it is gorgeous. I am thinking Tarzan would be really happy with all those hanging Vines. beautiful sinkholes, any gators? did you get any of the 4 inches of rain, we not nary a drop
A fairytale-like way and pictures, which told about. Wonderful mood in it. Thank you for sharing this, dear Diane.
Hugs by Heidrun
So beautiful! Leaves me feeling healed and happy. Thank you so much for sharing Aloha
Diane, I can see why you want to be out there walking all the time. There is such beauty to see and enjoy. My goodness. Loved seeing the deer watching you. They seemed quite content even though you were taking photos.
Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to come along with you. It's a real treat.
Happy Friday!
Brenda xo
What a pretty place that is. I would be a bit leery of that monster though
Awsome series of images illustrating why you love that park!
Interesting sinkholes and that vine looks like what I used to swing on about a hundred years ago growing up along Florida's west coast.
The pretty warbler appears to be a female or young male Northern Parula. Wonderfully subtle colors.
Short thunderstorm yesterday! Just enough to raise the already high humidity. Summer's coming.....
Welcome back. The hike is soothing seemingly. The warbler is caught with finesse!
The red cardinal sure pops out of the picture.
Me ha encantado tu paseo. Gracias por todas tus fotografías son preciosas. Un abrazo.
It looks a great place.
Lovely seeing the deer, and that Northern Cardinal is such a wonderful colour.
Have a lovely weekend.
All the best Jan
Sorry about the bug bites and poison ivy but it does look like a wonderful spot to walk! Thanks for taking us along.
Beautiful photos! The sink holes are intriguing.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hello Diane,
I enjoyed your walk, beautiful scenery along the trail.
The deer and bird sightings are wonderful.
Do you use any bug repellant? Cute photos of you and your hubby!
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
I'm impressed of all your hikes! I had been afraid of poison evy. I don't like poison plants :)
Interesting scenery!
Beautiful birds!
Have a great day!
Such a lovely walk along the Sink Trail. How delightful to see a deer. And you were blessed as you saw a cardinal. Thanks for sharing that with me. Have a good week.
thanks for being you and going on these wonderful hikes and taking such wonderful photos ~ love all of them ~
Wishing you good health,laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Looks like a wonderful place to walk and enjoy nature. Great photos!
You look like a kid! This is such a beautiful spot. Hopefully these sinkholes are not so deep that a deer stepping in gets stuck.
You suffered to do this hike! Hope the poison ivy is not too bad.It looks like such a beautiful place. Such a huge number of sinkholes!
That indeed is a lovely trail. You have captured the beauty wonderfully!
What a beautiful walk on the Sink Trail Loop.
I love the deer, the Northern cardinal and the warbler.
Nice to see you in the woods too.
I wish you a beautiful Sunday.
Greetings Irma
At 0.6 miles that trail sure packs a lot of things to look at. I don't think that I have ever encountered a sinkhole so I love the crystal clear water. I also love the deer and the birds you saw.
I am outside in the woods a lot in the summer and despite using high percentage deet I always end up with various and sundry bug bites. It's just part of the package for being outside. Also, I am not sensitive to poison ivy. I read that can change over time so I still avoid it.
gorgeous deer, spectacular birds...i think that is the prettiest image of a cardinal i have ever seen!! the looping vines are so unique!!
it was fun to see the husband and yourself!!
Hi Diane, What a great hike!! The birds were lovely, but I did not like that long thing(snake or ??). Glad you took Hubby along! You always find great places and nice trails. Happy hiking! Love from Aunt Helen
Don't know much about sink holes - will do some reading.
That said, the trail looks like a great one for a leisurely stroll and photographing. Well done.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photograph(s) with the rest of the world. Be well!!
Wonderful photos and narrations. Sinkholes? are they safe to walk near? I love the photo where the deer is looking back at you!
Oh, the red cardinal is such a treat to see. And the deer is always a nice surprise. Sorry you got poison ivy on your ankle. The landscapers who did my lawn a week ago saw some poison ivy near the edge of my house, and he mentioned it to me. I didn't even know what it looked like before. I'm not familiar with the sinkholes and what they are. Looks like a great hike, and that's a cute purple shirt you are wearing! : )
~Sheri
Beautiful pictures
Y'all are so brave!
I see the words sink hole, and I want to run.
Another beautiful hike, Diane, and you look adorable in your hiking outfit, camera ready! Loved all the pictures. Wow! Great shot of the deer, so close!! They are all over our property here, but they sure don't come close except in the very middle of the night they roam up. Big groups of them, I always love seeing them! I do love the Florida springs, I think more than the beach resort areas. I DO LOVE THE BEACHES in florida, but those springs are something else! They are crystal clear and SO SO COLD but we have swam in them and loved it. Nothing beats that on a hot day! I love the "old Florida" and the backroads of Florida so much. Florida is so much more than Spring Break and Daytona Beach (nothing against Daytona!!). Hope your week is going great. The heat has arrived here, but our gardens are producing so well so far! Hugs! PS--when you get your dolls outfits changed, make some pictures for me please, ok?
Fantastic photos! Hiking is the best, even with the occasional battle wounds.
You find beauty everywhere on your hikes, Diane. Love the cardinal and the coral bean plant. And those sinkholes! Do they spread and get bigger? It's been cool and windy here, but the gardens are managing to bloom.
wow, that´s a place of it´s own. Beautiful!
What a beautiful hike except for the bug bites. I would love to be fit enough to hike again.
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