Friday, July 18, 2025

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. 

13 comments:

Irma said...

What beautiful photos you've taken.
The deer are adorable.
It's warm here too, but I don't think it's as warm as where you are. I'll still go outside.
Have a nice weekend.
Greetings Irma

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Beautiful photos of the deer and turtles, etc. I love seeing these and appreciate you sharing them with us. I miss my days of hiking in the woods of the Ocala National Forest. And yes, it's too hot here now to hike. We did just take a short walk, but even that was a bit much even at 9:00 in the morning! It's getting hot really early these days, so if you don't get up and out before 9, you will get cooked! Yes, time to stay indoors and work on indoor projects. I enjoyed your pictures so much. Thank you.

Cloudia said...

I am old enough to remember when wasn't hot like this! We've known about climate change my whole life. It could be solved by now... You a post is happy and beautiful. Glad I saw it. Hope you get to use your camper van again soon and show us where you go and aloha friend

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane :) Lovely encounters with nature on your forest walks. The deer are always nice to see and you took great shots. We are having extremely hot weather too. It's impossible to go outside after 11 am.
Keep busy and well
All the best
Sonjia.

Latane Barton said...

What fun seeing the doe and fawn. It's hot here in Va. so it must be extra hot in Fla. Stay cool.

HappyK said...

Lovely photos of the fawn. There is a doe and fawn walking around out back right now here by me!! :)
Your header photo is beautiful!!!

Tom said...

...Diane, you captured some gorgeous images, thanks for sharing.

roentare said...

I always avoid sunlight if I gonna hike. Safe around here. The turtles look fabulous

Ann said...

What a fabulous place for a walk. Thanks for taking us along

Shiju Sugunan said...

The photos are gorgeous! It's always a treat to spot wildlife like deer and bunnies.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane,
I like the view of the trail. The deer are so cute, I love the baby deer with their spots. Great capture of the woodpecker and a great turtle sighting. It is hot for walks now, so humid here. Stay cool! Thanks so much for linking up and sharing your critter post! Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! Awesome photos of nature ~ especially like the deer ~ sweet photos ~ hugs,

an artist reflects ~ carol and ziggy ~

Jeanie said...

That fawn is such a treasure -- and I love the turtle trio!