Fairytale Forest

 

Let's walk on Scrub Jay Way today!

It's a trail that I take often and one I named myself. 

And indeed I DID see Florida Scrub-Jays on this hike but they flew past and when a bird flew out of the scrub it was this very handsome Mockingbird.

I also saw the elusive Rufous-sided Towhee and a Dove.

But lets get back to the fairytale part of this hike.

Yes, it's this beautiful 8 point buck in the trail ahead of me.

I was almost back to the Jeep when I saw something BIG in the trail ahead.

So I stopped and zoomed in to see what it was.

I felt honored to see this regal White-tailed deer.

And feel thankful to have walked at a slow pace that particular day, so slow that he wasn't scared away until I decided to start toward him.

And off he leaped into the scrub.

This is a hike to be remembered!

Another wonderful adventure on the Florida trails!

On to the next!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Summertime Adventures and Blackberry Crumble (recipe)

 It's been a nice start to the summer here in Florida.

Our temps have been nice enough in the mornings to hike.

And I even made a special trip to the blackberry patch at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. (SR 200 trailhead)

I put on a long sleeve shirt and reached in the brier patch and picked sweet ripe blackberries until I had enough for a Blackberry crumble. 

I saved a few to eat with vanilla yogurt too. Yummy!

One of my favorite sightings this week was this beautiful White-tailed Deer.

 When I looked over into the woods, he was looking right at me. I think it's a 6 point buck.

It was hard to get good photos through the trees and when I moved he bolted.

He ran across the trail in front of me so I got another good look.

But as you can see in this photo

....he easily disappeared into the deer woods.

One of my favorite bird sightings this week was this pretty yellow Summer Tanager.

And here's the best recipe I've tried lately. I took a recipe and changed it up so that is was 'lower' carb and sugar free. The topping came out so crunchy and perfect for the tart blackberries. 

Blackberry Crumble

Wash blackberries and pour into buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with a couple of tablespoons of Erythritol 'sugar'.

Crumble topping

• 3 tbsp Whole Earth Organic Erythritol
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup of almond flour
• 1/4 cup of oat fiber
  
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter cold
• Sprinkle of salt
• 1/4 cup of slivered almonds (opt)

1. 
   
2. Mix dry crumble ingredients except the almond slivers.
3. Cut up the cold butter into chunks.
4. Work the butter into the crumble.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
6. Sprinkle the crumble over the top of the berries.
7. Sprinkle slivered almonds over the top. (opt)
8. Bake at 30 minutes until a golden brown.

I didn't have any almond slivers but I'm sure that would add to the crunch. And it would be really good with sugar free ice cream on top or whipped cream. 

And what do you mean some of it is missing? 

Those crazy kids! You have to watch them all the time! 😉

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Get outside if you can and enjoy the great outdoors!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

28 Turtles and Counting!

 No, we didn't stop to count the turtles as we hiked Blue Run Park trail. We counted the ones we saw in our photos when we got home.

So what were they trying to tell us?

Were they there to warn us of impending danger?

Are were they watching us and laughing behind our back!

Because when we got to the bridge looking out at the Withlacoochee River, we were admiring the view...

Standing looking out at the water...

Watching some boats go by...

la la la la la!

And hubby said that dark cloud on the horizon looks threatening!

So we turned around and headed back to the Jeep. Did we make it all the way back before it rained? NO!

The wind blew and the 'bottom fell out'! And we got drenched! We were still 1 mile from the Jeep when it started to 'pour the rain'! But at least we didn't hear thunder or see lightening. And we had zip lock bags for our cameras. So it turned out to be an adventure story to tell. (and it was in the 70s so it wasn't a cold rain)

And it was a good day for ducks!

Wood ducks in the swamp.

Living it up!

And all's well that ends well!

Enjoy your week! Stay warm and dry!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

A really FUN post with a message at the end!

 

It's not exactly Fall weather here in Florida but there is a change in the air. The temps are 'less hot' and it's a little drier. I even had a breeze on one of my hikes this week! 

So it's time! (message at the end)

I've had some really fun sightings this week.

As much as I love just being out in nature, it sure makes it better when I see something out of the ordinary.

Don't you love this turtle?

He was at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve at the Pruitt trailhead.

I think it's a box turtle. It was about 6 or 7 inches long and had the most intricate markings on it's shell.

I actually talked to it. The sun had come out and it was getting HOT so I told it to wait up and let me get in the shade of the tree to take some pics.

How nice to have a turtle that will wait on you! lol

This deer was eating tender leaves on the plants near the trail and it stopped to look at me.

It didn't really talk to me but I used my imagination. 

I don't often get a good photo of a Swallow in flight either but this one was right over my head.

Tree swallow

 (I got a new frame for my license plate. I put red smileys to hide the info)

And for my message....I'm going to step away from the computer for a couple of weeks. I have things I need to do and places I want to go. Hopefully I'll get more 'mud on the tars' and visit some trails I haven't been to in awhile.

I'll take lots of photos and have some stories to share when I get back. 

Have some FUN while I'm gone and get out in nature when you can!

See you later alligator! Be back in a bit!

Adventure Awaits! 🚗

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

From the smallest bird to the LARGEST critter!

 You can see it all in one hike at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon! 

Wood ducks in the pond. There are a few small ones on one end of that 'turtle log'! And the male is preening at the other end.

And for those kind enough to ask, we live within 15 miles of Cannon Farms, Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and Blue Run Park so it's easy peasy to drive over there. 

We've been so fortunate to watch a Red Shouldered Hawk nest at Blue Run Park this year. We watched babies in the nest there a few years ago so I think these may be the next generation.

And they are both hopping out of the nest now and  perching on nearby limbs. 

AND LOUD? They cry all the time for their parents to come feed them!

But please don't eat the baby ducks!

We saw these near the end of our hike.

Mama is taking them to safety.

And doesn't this little one looked tucked in and safe!

This one too!

Now for the LARGEST critter!

Tom, you keep saying you want to see an alligator!

How about this one? We won't get any closer, thank you very much!

But he is HUGE! Look from behind!!!

Withlacoochee River

I hope your weekend is filled with adventure!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.