A Bear encounter on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway!

 

Finally!!! After over 12 years and hundreds of hikes 

on the Florida Greenway, I have a bear story!

And yes, I've seen bears over the years. I've been fortunate to hike in a lot of forests in the US, including Alaska. I've even seen them in the Ocala National Forest from my vehicle.

But this story takes place on one of my favorite Florida trails close to home.

I parked my Jeep at the trailhead and started off on a hike/bike trail until I got to the paved part of the Greenway. I planned to hike for one hour, which is a short hike for me. It's very hard for me to turn around at the 30 minute mark but I did this particular day.

This is the first photo I took by just lifting my camera and snapping without zooming. So he is in the far distance and you can get an idea of how far away he was.

The bear walked across the trail I was on and was ambling.

I was walking parallel to a firebreak. (a wide path that is dug up by heavy equipment to form a break that would stop a forest fire from spreading) 

So I took a few steps to my right onto the firebreak so that I had a better view when he went across the firebreak.

And there he was. 

He did not turn....and he did not look at me, so I didn't feel threatened.

I was scared of course and saw a spike in my heart rate on my watch! 

But he kept going and I stood perfectly still. I wanted to make sure there weren't any cubs following or another bear. And when a few minutes went by, I called my husband. I told him there was a bear between me and my Jeep and he said loudly 'A WHAT?'!!! I think that was one of the best parts of the story.  He told me to wait awhile longer and give the bear a chance to get farther away before I walked to the Jeep. I was never so glad to get in my Jeep and 'head for the house'! 

To describe how I felt....

I would say I was scared and excited and JAZZED! 

But having said that....I'm happy to have seen a Florida black bear in the wild right on the Greenway. But I'm done now. I don't need to see another one! I'm a happy hiker and a blessed one too. 

So that's my bear story. It was a medium sized bear. I know they get bigger ....and mine may get bigger in the telling. We'll see!

I saw a Downy Woodpecker on the hike.

And lots of beautiful wildflowers.

But I was so fortunate to actually get a few decent photos

 

of the HUMONGOUS bear I saw!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

The Blue Grosbeak at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

 Finally!

I've driven out to HTP once a week for months now and finally saw the Blue Grosbeak!

I saw two of them which was a thrill.

They are at the preserve every summer but this year I went all summer before I spotted them.

I was at the end of my hike and they flew right across the trail in front of me.

I get so excited seeing something special like this.

A photo of what I call 'the view' along the trail.

It's always beautiful out there and you always see something special.

I like to look through the trees at the view too!

This little Downy Woodpecker was very cute climbing up and down on this tree.

I also saw an Eagle on my drive over, but I'll have to share more Woodpecker photos today. 

One day I drove out to the Shangri-La trailhead and parked next to this persimmon tree.

It was loaded with fruit!

Have you ever eaten a persimmon? Pucker up! 

We haven't really turned the calendar to 'Fall' here but change is in the air!

We are heartbroken to see the horrific damage caused by Hurricane Helene in so many places. We lived in Asheville, Hendersonville and the small mountain town of Hot Springs, NC for many years and it is devastating to see the damage. And of course worrisome to know so many people are suffering. My prayers are for all those affected. Our relatives that live there are safe. But we appreciate your continued prayers. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

 Most of my hikes take place on the Greenway. 

It's close to my house and there are several trailheads where I can park to start a hike. I'm over 100 hikes for this year!

Pileated Woodpecker

I love these big noisy woodpeckers!

There are 3 trailheads less than 5 miles from me so it's quick and easy to drive over for a hike on the paved trail or on the many primitive trails in the forest. 

And some of the trails have birds and critters that the other sections don't have. (or I don't see!)

So I thought I would share some of the sights I've seen over the past couple of weeks of hiking the Greenway. 

The weather has improved and I'm back to hiking just about every other day. It sure feels great!

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker juvenile

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker (back)

Red headed Woodpecker juvenile

Warbler (pine warbler I think)

And last but not least, Rufous-sided Towhees.

Florida towhees have the pale eye!

I saw about 6 of these birds flitting around.

They were a family of Towhees!

I named this one Scruffy!

We found a lot of these trails by going on the internet and searching and a few we found using google maps. 

I hope you can find places close to your home to get out in nature. It's fun to do the research online!

 It's a great time of the year to get outside.

Is it good hiking weather where you live too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Birds, Here There and Everywhere!

 

We don't have to leave our homes to see beautiful birds here in Florida. 

This Juvenile White Ibis has been walking through our yard every day this week.

And yesterday he wandered through the flower garden with a friend. These beautiful flowers are across the street at my sweet neighbors' house. (I came back to add that.) I don't want to take credit for her gorgeous flowers! I have roses blooming in my flower beds but the Ibis in these photos were across the street! 

I was hoping they would stay in this area to get more photos of the gorgeous blooms.

We've had a few afternoon showers lately and everything is blooming like crazy.

Oh, a photo bombing Crow! lol

And of course the forest is all atwitter this week too.

I saw this beautiful male Downy Woodpecker on a hike near the Shangri-la trail.

And then on another day I saw a pretty female Downy near the hwy 484 trailhead.

It's been a good week for getting out early and enjoying a hike.

You can see that the female doesn't have a red spot on her head.

But if you need to stay inside one day...look out the window!

I stood in my courtyard here to see what was under the trees in the backyard.

A big Tom Turkey was taking a break and enjoying the cool shade of the oak trees.

Have you seen some birds at your house this week?

 Get outside and enjoy nature when you can and look for a shady place to take a break!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

It's December! YAY!

 

I'm very glad to turn a page in the calendar this month. November was incredibly hard for me. But I am blessed and want to share some photos from recent hikes.

A beautiful quote! 

Bella Moth

Bella Moth

No....I am NOT a chicken!!!

Palm Warblers

What's left of some of the wildflowers!

Downy Woodpeckers

A fancy figurine?

Or a knot on a log! Use your imagination to make it something beautiful!

We all go through hard times but it sure is nice to know there are always interesting blog posts to read and blog friends that go out of their way to be supportive throughout the year...in good times and bad. I am going to use this space for a personal note today. For the blog friends that I usually exchange Christmas cards with, just hang on to those cards until next year. I'm not going to send out cards this month. It just seems like too hard a task to tackle right now. I know you'll understand. (or you can read my last post HERE) 

I'm going to concentrate on spending time in nature and giving in other ways. 

Let's spread Goodwill all month long!

 And get out in nature whenever we can!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !