Let's hike the trails at Manatee Springs State Park

 

Even though the Springs are the highlight of a trip to Manatee Springs, you know I'm going to find some hiking trails to explore!

So let's take a hike on the Sink Trail Loop first.

It was a beautiful trail with some really big surprises along the way.

Coral Bean in bloom.

Hubby leading the way!

We watched deer along the way and that's always fun.

But the surprise was the sink holes.

We see a lot of sinkholes here in Florida but these were the prettiest ones I've ever seen.

I'm not sure how many we saw on this short walk but I think I photographed 6 of them.

They all had water in them and were crystal clear!

How do you like these vines looping around over the sinkholes? 

We also hiked Deer Run and saw several small birds.

Northern Cardinal

Warbler

You couldn't sit down because the bugs would attack! 

And then there are the forest monsters to worry about!

I came home like a kid that had been to summer camp....bug bites on my legs and a patch of poison ivy on my ankle.

But of course I wouldn't have missed a thing! 

And getting out in the forest is what I love best!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

The Colors of Autumn

 We have 'Fall colors' here in Florida but they may not be typical of our neighbors to the North.

Fall brings colorful flowers that rival the Spring wildflowers.

We even found one that was new to us this week walking on the Florida Trails from parking on hwy 484. I actually got off the trail to take the photos and got into some thorns. So I drew blood to take this photo! lol

But it's a beautiful time of year. Our temps are milder and the humidity is a lot lower.

We are hiking just about every other day! I wish I had the energy to go every day!

Purple is throughout the forest right now....

with splashes of yellow! 

Coralbean

Red berries

Virginia Creeper

Cypress trees

Maple leaves

I hope you've enjoyed our Autumn colors.

I'm not sure my Mosaic Monday buddies got to see my fairy forest post HERE! 

It was magical!

Have a beautiful week!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Seeing Red!

No, I'm not mad at anyone. I'm not sure I would consider myself 'easy going' but I don't get upset very often either. 

I was just noticing all the things around me that are red.

We saw this Cardinal a couple of weeks ago in the courtyard. The first photo was taken a week later and could possibly be the same young bird.

He's kind of a splotchy mess in these!

And while I was hiking on the Florida Trails, this RED got my attention!

Coral Bean

Isn't it beautiful!

Eye catching!

Beautiful RED!

I've been 'online' looking at these! Wouldn't one be fun to drive over to the trails?

And this doesn't even count the two red sofas I can see here in my living room as I write. On the subject of 'seeing'. I DID go for an eye exam and got a good report. I still have good distance vision and the doctor just brought my reading glasses up a little. The doctor said my vision was incredibly amazing....I wrote it down! I was ready for new frames and now they are on order. I went because I was afraid my old glasses were a cause of my headaches. So when I get the new ones, I'll see if they make any difference. I think my headaches are just seasonal allergies. But they are a nuisance for someone that's never had many headaches...ever! Do you ever get end of the summer allergies? I don't really have any other symptoms.

Maybe I shouldn't stare up at this so much. 

What? Do you think? 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio.