Sightings close to home!

 I haven't been on the trails as much this week but hopefully I'll get back out more regularly after this week. We've gotten a lot of things done around the house and in the yard so I feel good about how my time has been spent! 

But I'm going to need some trail therapy soon! The weather has improved and I can't wait!

How do you like this Great White Egret that walked through the neighborhood?

And this was a funny sight looking out the window in the back!

Off you go!

They look like they are saying I'm not very nice. They only wanted to scratch in the courtyard and make a mess! 

We have a Dove family that I see every day. 

This looks like a young one!

And the sunsets have been spectacular.

I didn't enhance these colors.

(taken from the courtyard)

It really was this vibrant!

I also ordered a new camping journal. 

The green one is from this past year and I filled it up.

The brown one will be ready when we are....which I hope is soon!

Enjoy your weekend!

I hope you have something fun planned!

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. 

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. 

Nature Abounds at home!

 

One thing great about living in Florida is the heat....

NO, I mean birds!

I'm still stuck inside because of the high temps but I've gotten out for a couple of hikes this month. 

We have a neighborhood pond nearby and lots of big windows in our house so all you have to do is look outside to see birds.

One day, I got the best sighting but only pics of the geese. 

A flock of about a dozen Canada geese walked across the golf course and into our back yard, followed by a flock of wild turkeys. And down the greenway was a flock of White Ibis.

I usually just enjoy the view and don't always run for my camera!

And of course we are always planning for cooler weather and camping trips.

So we bought a small screen tent and popped it up in the living room! Haha!

We have a rug that's the perfect size too.

And I sewed a pocket in two vintage beach towels to fit over our lawn chairs and I like the way they turned out.

Home improvements included getting rid of this small curio cabinet. 

It never matched the furniture in my living room and I hated it. I also got tired of the jumble of what nots and tea cups on the shelves. I packed them up in a box and put them in a storage closet. I'll keep them for awhile.

Hubby put together this sofa table and I like it so much better!

Bird books and art books, a basket and giraffe! Better!

So that's my nature sightings at home!

How are you doing this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Reed Bingham State Park and the Green Herons

 

We see a lot of herons here in Florida (where I go) but not many Green Herons.

So it was a thrill to see so many at Reed Bingham State Park.

The first one I saw was in the lake near where we were camped.

I got to see him every day that we were there.

But what was a special treat was on the other side of the lake.

We drove over just about every evening after dinner to see what we could see.

And I watched 2 adult Green Herons one evening.

And lo and behold, two young ones came out to greet me the next night.

The sun was low so the light isn't great.

But what a surprise to get to stand on the boardwalk and watch these little ones.

The whole family was on the edge of the water.

This is where I saw the monster gator on another trip but he was in hiding. Which was fine by me! 

A few more photos standing in that same spot and looking the other direction!

This park has the most variety of birds I've ever seen. 

And it can be very different from one side of the lake to the other.

Great Blue Heron

What types of herons do you normally see?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE.