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. 

23 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!

Bill said...

Cool shot of the turtles chlling out. The fawn is a beauty.

RedPat said...

It has been hot and really humid here so not nice weather for walking around in the city much. Hopefully you can get away in the camper soon, Diane.

Brian's Home Blog said...

The deer are sure beautiful creatures. The turtle line dance is pretty cool too.

Lowcarb team member said...

I think many countries are experiencing hot weather, at least you have used your time indoors well with your decluttering and cleaning.
I enjoyed seeing your photographs.
Have a peaceful weekend.

All the best Jan

Debbie said...

i think the whole world is feeling the heat, melting in this summer heat that we seem to dream about all winter. i don't mind decluttering, doing deep cleaning and home projects. your images are gorgeous, i just love seeing baby deer, they are just so cute...and those spots!! the bridge over the river picture is so pretty, a great spot to sit and dream the day away!!

magiceye said...

Beautiful captures all!

Iris Flavia said...

Cute "baby"-pics! Too hot... hm. After two way too cold, grey weeks yesterday I finally sat on the balcony to read under the sun-brolly. Today cooler again. Feel free to send the heat over here!

Little Wandering Wren said...

So beautiful to take a wander with you (especially virtually given your heat!)
I need to declutter!
Have a great week
Wren x

Caroline said...

Excellent photos. Especially bambi. Greets Caroline

BeachGypsy said...

Loved these pictures, especially the second one of the path....looks so inviting, cool and green and shady! Pretty sure that was an old John Denver song, "Cool and green and Shady". LOL. Love the sweet deer pictures, and those basking turtles too! Yep, we're just staying in at this point, we get daily thundershowers.....just makes it more humid. We HAVE TO venture out to take care of animals and gardens, but it's hard, we get back inside to the cool quick as we can. Mr. Front Porch does alot of it in the cool of the early mornings. Happy Sunday my friend! Hugs!