Friday, August 22, 2025

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. 

36 comments:

Tom said...

...the butterflies are a beautiful sight. If you have a surplus, send some my way, please!

Irma said...

This is a beautiful series of photos.
Glad you were able to get outside again, staying inside quickly deteriorates your fitness.
Luckily, it's not so hot here anymore.
Photo 10 is my favorite this time.
Greetings Irma

MadSnapper n Beau said...

I would have liked to talk to the ham radio guy. brings back memories from the 80's when we had a CB in all 3 vehicles and a home base in the house... we need people who know how to use the old ham radio in case the internet/cell phones go down.

Jenn Jilks said...

Good for you hiking! Cute critters!

Carla from The River said...

Hi Friend, Sam our military son, he is all into radios. I am going to share your post with him.

The butterfly photos are fantastic!
Love, Carla

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...

I haven't heard about a ham radio user for ages. The color of the blue butterfly is so intense. A very lovely walk.

-Soma

HappyK said...

A beautiful place for hiking. Love the yellow flowers.

Terri D said...

Awesome photos!! Glad you felt so good and just kept going... good for you (and us!!). Take care in this crazy heat and humidity, though!! xo

Teresa said...

Un lindo paseo, con preciosas mariposas, me gustó todo mucho y el señor tan simpático. Besos.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Ahh--finally did the 'I don't care how hot it is--I gotta go!! and what a neat hike you had--love all the photos'--and how nice of someone to share something they enjoy--hugs, di

Lowcarb team member said...

... and you shared some lovely photographs from your hike.

Enjoy your weekend.

All the best Jan

DeniseinVA said...

Thanks for going out in all that heat to get these great photos. So nice you met that young man to chat to. I always enjoy these unexpected conversations with people. I was very interested in those animal tracks, and enjoyed all the critters too. You saw some real pretty butterflies.

Chrissy T said...

Thank you for taking us along with you on your hike. I am biting at the chomps!!! I haven't hiked since the end of June. I hiked a but in the Cheaha Wilderness in Alabama and a small part of the Pinhoti trail. I am so ready to hit the trails. I had a mild heat stroke a few years ago so I have to really be cautious and that limits me in the summer when it comes to hiking. I love all your photos and you inspire me!!!! Thank you!

Ann said...

You always manage to find the best things on your hikes. I don't think I've heard of anyone using a ham radio in a long time. they used to be quite popular though

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Sounds like a great outing! I like walking around after a fresh rain and seeing what kind of tracks are out there as well.

Penelope Notes said...

The orange (looks like Monarch) butterfly at the yellow flower is a perfect photograph and moment in time. :)

carol l mckenna said...

wow! Bravo to you braving the humidity and getting all these wonderful nature photos ~ beautiful ~ hugs,

an artist reflects (carol and ziggy)

Rainbow Evening said...

we have a lot Blue Jay, but never seen Scrub Jay in nature.... interesting.

eileeninmd said...

Happy Hiking to you! I love the Scrub Jay, a great bird and sighting. Beautiful butterfly captures. Thank you for linking up and sharing your critter post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Marit said...

The butterflies are so beautiful! I like the different colors. Hugs!

Linda said...

The weather has limited our walks outside too, but when we do get out it feels so good. Lovely butterfly photos, Nice to see the scrub jay. Have a lovely weekend.

RedPat said...

Good that you were able to get out. The heat here has been keeping me close to home too. I love the butterflies that you saw.

Bill said...

Can't stop a good hiker from hiking and you found some beauty along the way. Beautiful butterflies. Stay cool and hydrated.

Yvonne said...

Beautiful photos, and meeting someone happy to talk is a bonus.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Wonderful photos and that looks like such a wonderful place!

Debbie said...

so nice you were able to get out and hike, good for you, as i feel like you have really missed it!!you really captured some great shots of the colorful butterflies. i have no idea what han radio is?? enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Iris Flavia said...

Thank you for the smiles. Meeting nice people is always wonderful!!!

21 Wits said...

Great fun romp around your wonderful area, and that hog track was really interesting too. Love those kinds of finds!

magiceye said...

Thank you for taking us virtually on your wonderful hike!

Shiju Sugunan said...

Such a lovely hike. The scrub jays made me smile! My favorite is the Gulf Fritillary pic.

Alexandra said...

It pays to push yourself out the door at times when it takes more effort than normal. That was a healthy exercise induced "crash" you experienced! You go girl!

Wally Jones said...

This post was so good it even made ME hot! Terrific sights along your "non-hike" hike.

Your Scrub Jay is an immature bird. It will attain the bluer look over the next couple of months.

I have the "Florida native heat/humidity gene" so really love being out no matter the temp. We had a great day last week spending a half-day exploring the Lake Wales Ridge. Fun!

Stay cool.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I haven't been walking much in this heat, but I am ready for our fall trip to Utah. Hoping to find some easy and beautiful hikes.

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

Beautiful nature photos. It's starting to cool off here but my walking days are over. My back prevents me from taking any lengthy walks. Glad you were able to get out!

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

The heat with humidity can be brutal. Glad you got out and looks like a wonderful day! The butterflies are gorgeous and those animal tracks of wild hogs interesting although I wouldn't want to meet up with one! After weeks of high 90's in Philadelphia, our weather has finally cooled off- yay!! high 50's in the mornings - 80 during the day..

Betty J. Crow said...

What a great way to have a. surprise walk. The butterflies sure are beautiful!