A Walk along the River Trail at O'Leno State Park!

 Well, it's really TOO hot to walk anywhere in Florida right now but I still have a 'few' photos that I took last month. We are stuck inside right now but at least I'm being productive. I've been decluttering and cleaning. And hubby has made a few home improvements. So it's been a good summer so far!

O'Leno State Park is one of the best parks in Florida, in my opinion. 

There are trails along the Santa Fe River and miles and miles of nature trails in the forest.

I was almost finished with this hike, when I looked down a forest trail and saw these deer.

I saw the 'mama' and baby first.

And then I backtracked and saw 3 deer and a bunny.

(no photos of me chasing the deers and bunnies, thank goodness! hahaha)

So that was really a neat sighting.

This trumpet flower vine was winding it's way up a tree and dropping trumpets on the trail.

And a Red-bellied Woodpecker was pecking away.

The river had duck weed growing in a big swirl.

And the turtles were basking in the sun.

The bridge over the river.

Altogether a really good hike. I'll be SO happy when we can get back in the camper van and go again.

But I'll stay busy in the meantime. 

Is it too hot to hike at your house?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Reed Bingham State Park and the Green Herons

 

We see a lot of herons here in Florida (where I go) but not many Green Herons.

So it was a thrill to see so many at Reed Bingham State Park.

The first one I saw was in the lake near where we were camped.

I got to see him every day that we were there.

But what was a special treat was on the other side of the lake.

We drove over just about every evening after dinner to see what we could see.

And I watched 2 adult Green Herons one evening.

And lo and behold, two young ones came out to greet me the next night.

The sun was low so the light isn't great.

But what a surprise to get to stand on the boardwalk and watch these little ones.

The whole family was on the edge of the water.

This is where I saw the monster gator on another trip but he was in hiding. Which was fine by me! 

A few more photos standing in that same spot and looking the other direction!

This park has the most variety of birds I've ever seen. 

And it can be very different from one side of the lake to the other.

Great Blue Heron

What types of herons do you normally see?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Happy Fourth of July!

 What a blessing to live in the beautiful United States of America!

I thought I would share a few photos from the past.

One of the fun traditions here in our community is the golf cart parade.

I walked over to watch it go by.

And loved all the golf carts that were decorated for the event.

Everyone puts a lot of effort to make it special each year.

My 'critter' for this holiday is the Bald Eagle.

It's a bird we see often here in Florida.

But it's still makes you stop and marvel.

More photos of the parade...

it's makes you feel so proud!

A special thanks to the sheriff's department and the firemen that come out to support us. 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE.