King Kong, Fact or Fiction?

 

Well, we all know there is a King Kong because we watched the movie when we were kids.

But I'm more likely to see Bigfoot in the forest around here.

I have heard crashing around in the woods and underbrush but that would probably be caused by a black bear.

I spotted this sweet little forest gnome on this hike.

You can see it was hard to spot on the top of a big boulder.

When I finished my hike in the diggings near SR 200 I got to watch a Brown Thrasher digging for worms and insects.

He was scattering the leaves and having a fine time.

I stood very still and watched him.

So what does this post have to do with King Kong?

I found the jungle where he lives.

It's been a long time since I watched the movie but these big boulders made me think of King Kong and glance over my shoulder when I heard a noise.

This one was a big as a house!

What would you rather see....or hear in the forest?

an imaginary monster

 I guess we all like the sounds of bird song best!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Hiking in June in North Central Florida

 Well, there's not as much hiking going on right now. Our June has felt more like July or August. But if the temps are in the 70s and there is any breeze at all when I get up, I just might hit the trails. The humidity is the killer for us right now. But even though I love living here, I can still complain about the weather? Right?

We drove over to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve one morning and were delighted to see the Florida Scrub jay.

They are endemic to Florida and rare so we are always excited to see them.

This one was chattering away and I hope it had a nest nearby.

There are so many wildflowers blooming right now that I can't keep up with doing IDs.

Manyflower Beardtongue, thanks Pamela for help with the ID!

Every time we go out something else is in bloom.

Primrose

Meadow Beauty

Meadow Beauty

Mourning Dove

Have you ever seen a Velvet Ant before? They are actually wasps. More info HERE. 

Velvet Ant (he left cute little footprints in the sand!)

Brown Thrasher

One more of this beauty!

This is how you feel if you stay out too long!

What have you seen this week? 

Is it hot at your house? Do you complain? lol

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

The Tortoise and the Hare

 

I've admitted to talking baby talk to the animals we meet in the forest. Now I'm naming them.

Meet Little Sooty

Isn't he tiny?

We drove over to the 49th Ave Trailhead of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway to check on the control burn/prescribed fire. They had burned a section just a few days before but it wasn't blowing smoke or even smelling bad, so we took a hike. 

Control burns are important in this part of Florida where we have forests. They reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires, and enhance the beauty of the land. They are also beneficial for the wildlife. I'll include the link HERE to learn more about them. 

The reason we called this little Gopher Tortoise, Sooty because he did have traces of soot on his underside.

He had clearly walked through the burned area.

Hubby picked him up and put him into the unburned side of the forest and away from big hiking boots and bikes riding by.

He didn't waste any time taking off in a tortoise RUN! 

RUN Sooty RUN! 

We also saw a big Cottontail Rabbit on the trail ahead of us.

 

He even had a snack while we waited!

We have time and plenty of film in the camera! lol

He watched us for awhile. 

Finally a bike came by and he scurried across.

On the side trail (limerock road) we saw this beautiful Brown Thrasher.

He made a series of calls that reminded us of a Mockingbird!

I'll show pics of the forest in a couple of weeks to show you how soon the forest recovers here in Florida. It will be green before we even get back over there!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the special mothers this weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

How about a Rhinoceros Beetle for a pet?

 

It's always interesting to come home after a hike and try to identify everything you saw.

I was pretty sure this was a Rhinoceros Beetle but I was surprised to find out a lot of people keep them for pets. OK...that's interesting! But I think I'll leave him to enjoy the Florida Trails! lol

I hiked the Western section of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway twice this past week and saw different birds and critters each time. It's really hot and humid to hike even in the mornings but I love it!

 

This was a neat sighting.

A Northern Flicker (yellow-shafted)

We've seen them before but the light was just perfect to show off the yellow feathers in his tail.

And doesn't he look like he's part of the tree?

I watched this Brown Thrasher fly across the trail. 

He caught a bug and then ran across the trail...I mean RAN!!!

One more neat 'bug'! This is actually a FLY!

A Robber Fly!

You just never know what you'll see when you get out on the trails. Below is a Dayflower.

Ever had a bug for a pet? I had pet turtles when I was a girl and that was fun! We bought them at the dime store! lol

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.