I've spread my wings!

 When you suffer a loss, you have choices. If we're not careful, we let others or circumstances determine our paths. But I've been fortunate to have the strength and support of so many that the decisions I made came more easily.

Mississippi Kite

The first hike I made after my husband died was one week after he passed. I took this hike with two of my sons and my daughter in law. A week later, I took another hike with my son, D as a remembrance to my husband. Then when everyone left I hiked alone. I didn't want to do it but I needed to spend time in nature. And as they say....the rest is history.

God lifted me up, my family held me close and friends and neighbors supported me.

Spending time in nature has allowed me to heal.

It has given me joy.

I have hope and now I am looking forward to a brighter future.

Life is hard for us all. We have that in common....we all suffer.

Don't give up. Find joy in the beauty that surrounds you and be thankful.

Words are not enough to thank you for your outpouring of love last week.

All of my blog buddies mean the world to me. We love and support each other....through thick and through thin. It's a good thing. I don't take it for granted.

And of course a special thanks to J. for hiking in the summer heat in Florida. I think he likes me, what do you think?

My hiking buddy J.A. joined us on this hike and that was super special! Thanks J.A. for being there for me for this most difficult year.

God bless you, each and every one of you.

With love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Fun in the good ole summertime!

 It's hot. It's August. It's Florida! 

But let's tie the jeep to the hitching post at the 49th Ave trailhead and get out on the trails.

I chose a morning after a rain and the woods were still dripping wet and it felt cooler.

Or less hot!

And I saw all kinds of pretty birds.

Isn't this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher beautiful?

And I think this was a young one flying alongside the parent.

I was pleased to get them both in the photo.

I saw lots of wildflowers and some deer grazing.

Look at that tongue! He was eating something tasty!

A Black-and-white Warbler, Zebra Swallowtail and a Flicker.

A nice day to get out early and enjoy the beauty of nature.

And it will cool off one day soon. Right?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

I "spotted" Bambi!

 

I finally got out on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway this week and hiked from the 49th Ave trailhead.

Zebra Longwing Butterfly

I took the heat advisory warning seriously and stayed inside quite a bit so it felt great to be out on the open trails!

It was around 80 with just a hint of a breeze so it wasn't bad and I remembered why I love the Greenway.

Beautyberry

Of course we can't stay on the paved trail!

Beautyberry Lane

Let's get out in the woods and HIKE!

I saw 3 deer and one was a young one that still had it's spots. That was a thrill.

With all the afternoon showers we had, there were mushrooms growing all through the woods.

Lots of wildflowers and butterflied flitting everywhere.

And I got to say hello to some of my bicycle friends! A group of them were near the trailhead when I finished my hike.

My time indoors has been well spent. I threw myself into some projects around the house and feel so great about all that I've accomplished. But I probably should have taken a blog break because I didn't spend time on my computer. I'm behind visiting everyone. It was enjoyable to read blogs in the evening when I was too tired to do anything else. But I haven't commented so I will catch up soon.

I also want to mention the passing of our dear friend, Vee from A Haven for Vee. She was a blog friend from the beginning and we shared a lot of good times and bad. I'm going to miss her. She always teased me that an alligator was going to walk through my front yard when I went outside. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Butterfly weed

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Slow down, You might miss something!

 

Slow down? I don't think anyone has actually said that to me lately.

Common Buckeye Butterfly

Lizard on a log

Grasshopper in the pine needles

Hoverfly in the sky

They 'hover' and stay so still that if you can get your camera to focus on them, you can get a photo!

I walk at a pretty slow pace and I stop and look around at odd times.

Armadillo

It's amazing how many times I've stopped to get a drink of water and noticed something interesting in the forest.

Or if my battery gets low on my camera and I have to change it, that's a sure way to have wildlife saunter by.

One day we were hiking near Shangri-la and a bike rider stopped to say he had pulled out some crackers to have a snack and a bear poked his nose out from behind the tree. We asked him where and he pointed to a spot close by. And no....I don't think he stayed long enough to share his crackers with the bear.

Anyway, I thought I would find those photos of the small things we see when we are hiking that often get left out of a post.

Bear Scat (poop...not zoomed in!)

You may WISH I had left out more! hahaha!

 

Someone dropped their walking stick in the forest. I hope they came back to get it!

Happy Hiking! It's just a walk in the forest!

 A chance to get out in nature and enjoy the scenery...watch where you walk!

And enjoy your day!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Bluebirds of Happiness

 Of all the birds I see here in North Central Florida and photograph, it seems like the bluebirds are the most popular.

Several of you have mentioned that the bluebird is your favorite bird.

And right now they are bright blue contrasted against the drab browns and grays of the trees.

There are a few berries on the vines right now too. 

Eastern Bluebird

They are a joy to watch and sometimes they are in among the flocks of Warblers and Goldfinches.

The Warblers are colorful too. (I know I should try to ID each one but that is a challenge for me, as you know! My hubby always teases that if I don't know which Warbler it is, I call it a Prothonotary Warbler. I've never actually seen one of those but it's wishful thinking!)

Peek a boo!!!

Lots of pretty birds if you have the patience to stand still and try to photograph them.

This one is a lemon yellow.

The Black and White Warbler goes up and down the tree and presents another challenge.

But what is life without challenges!

And these are the best kind!

Most of these were taken from the 49th Ave Trailhead. 

Enjoy your weekend. Look outside and see what birds are in your neighborhood!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

Florida Scrub-Jays lead the way!

 We finished out the year with Hike #163! And it was actually a trail we had never been on before. We named it Scrub-Jay Way!

 Florida Scrub-Jay

Do you think I could park any closer to the forest? lol

Through the back opening (near 49th Ave trailhead) and into the scrub.

We saw a few at the beginning of the trail but then saw a dozen or more in the back loop.

It was amazing to see so many flying from tree to tree and not overly concerned about us standing there taking photos!

Very cool to see the bands on their legs. (Phil!!!)

This orange band really stands out!

Walk this way!

You can see how tall the scrub is and it's the perfect habitat for these Florida Scrub-Jays that are endemic to Florida. There aren't many populations left here either. They are on the endangered list.

The other surprise was the Rufous-sided Towhees.

 

We hear them on just about every hike but they are elusive and stay hidden.

These were interacting with the Scrub-Jays.

We saw a few Flycatchers and some Warblers too but the Scrub-Jays were the best sighting and a perfect way to end the year.

Maybe I should take driving lessons this year! hahahahaha!!!

(NO trees were injured in the parking of this vehicle!)

I hope this New Year brings us all good health and prosperity 

and some time in nature to soothe the soul. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !