Halpata Tastanaki and the Florida Scrub Jays

 It's still hot and humid here in Florida but one day this week I just HAD to get out!

I thought I would drive over to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (SR 200) and look for the Florida Scrub Jays!

And I found them not too far from the trailhead.

The one I got the most photos of was very dull in color.

I've never seen one so dull.

This is a photo of one I took a couple of months ago and it shows the pretty blue.

Well, I thought....I can at least walk down and see if there are persimmons on the fruit trees.

And there were quite a few.

Oh, I feel so good, I think I'll just walk down to where the trail splits and see what I can see.

It has rained some evenings and the sandy trail was like walking on velvet.

Look at all the animal tracks!

Wild Hog track

I felt great.

And I saw so many neat things.

It was partly cloudy and humid but I kept moving.

And the next thing I knew, I had a regular hike in.

Do you know how I know? Well.....I was hiking for over an hour and felt fine until I got home. And then I crashed! I didn't realize how out of shape I was after a hot summer in the house.

But I survived and now I can't wait to get back out there.

And there are always interesting things when you get out on the Florida trails. I met the nicest man at the trailhead. He was all set up with his ham radio. Well, that was a first and I really enjoyed talking to him. 

Thanks Chris for taking the time to tell me about your ham radio experiences!

Happy Hiking everyone!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

O'Leno State Park, the River Trail along the Santa Fe River

 The River Trail along the river is an easy hike and the most popular hiking trail in the park. Read more HERE. 

I'm still working on photos from our camping trips from the early summer.

It's too hot to spend time outside so I'm blogging, reading AND decluttering and cleaning house.

So far I'm feeling good about my progress. These are photos from a hike on the river trail.

This gator is a young one and not very big.

Doesn't he look prehistoric with all of his bumps and ridges?

He was far down in the water...I zoomed!

And this is not even an alligator.

I always call these monsters when I see them in the river or the forest.

The bridge is like brand new now with all the repairs.

I even walked on it for a short distance....

and took this photo down the Santa Fe river.

Some pretty flowers along the trail,

and a Pileated Woodpecker high in the tree.

And at the trailhead where you park they've put in new playground equipment.

It would be a good spot for a picnic or relaxing with a good book.

And I've just finished my favorite book of the year so far!

My Friends by Fredric Backman.

I love all of the books he's written but this one stands out as my all time favorite!

Have you read any good books this summer?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and the Amazing Sights

 

It has been WAY too hot to hike anywhere and Halpata Tastanaki Preserve doesn't have much shade at the beginning of the Pruitt trailhead so my visits have been few and far between this summer.

It's such a great place to go because you can always see some amazing sights!

The Sandhill Cranes were right where I parked.

I took the photos before I even got out of the Jeep.

And these horses were at the trailhead too, finishing up a ride.

I think this is a blackbird, maybe a Red Winged Blackbird.

But it was hard to tell with the patchy color on it's wings.

Let me know what you think about the ID. Thanks!

The preserve had some beautiful Pickerelweed down in the wet areas.

A wide sandy trail.

And I've seen a lot of birds chase Hawks but I don't remember seeing a Pileated woodpecker chase one. Maybe there's a nest of young woodpeckers nearby.

Thanks again for the wonderful comments on my Woodpeckers last week. I felt so encouraged reading such sweet comments. Being encouraged by blog friends is one of the joys of blogging, isn't it?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Ochlockonee River State Park and the Woodpeckers

 

I have to admit to saving these photos for a special post. We went to Ochlockonee River State Park at the beginning of summer before it got too hot. 

It was strictly time and chance to get to see these woodpeckers and I was proud of the few photos I took.

I aimed my camera at the tree when I saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker flying in.

While I stood there and watched, I realized this one was relieving the other one of baby duty.

A young one stuck his head out of the hole while I stood watching in awe. (you have to use your imagination)

And in a blink of the eye, the 2 adults had flown away and the baby went into hiding. But while it lasted, it made me happy to be at the right place at the right time.

On this same hike down by the river, I saw other woodpeckers.

Another young one showed up behind the adult.

Isn't he the cutest!!

I kept walking until I had reached a forest trail.

The Orange Milkweed was in full bloom.

And some pretty Phaon Crescents were enjoying the blooms.

I always tell people, the best way to get good photos is to go out often.

You always see something of interest, don't you think?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE.