First Day of Spring

 I went for a hike....not surprised? 

I am trying to do things that have always brought me joy in the past.

I love being outside in nature of course and I am thankful for all that I have.

But I don't feel joyful yet.

I appreciate everyone here and your friendship and feel a little excited about visiting everyone today.

That's a step in the right direction!

I hiked down an old horse trail and even saw a few horses out for a ride. 

I think this is a juvenile bluebird.

It was a beautiful Spring day in Florida.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Florida Fall...seeing the beauty!

 No one wants to be inside when the weather is so beautiful here in Florida right now.

Eastern Bluebird

But Ron has been in the hospital again this week for blood transfusions and platelets.

He was not able to get the chemo again this week because his blood levels were too low.

Thanks to everyone for keeping him in your prayers and to all of you that have left sweet comments and reached out to me in emails. It sure makes me thankful for good friends.

No one wants to be in the hospital but our hospital here in Ocala is the best. We have been blessed with so many caring people there.

I don't feel like taking photos while I am there. BUT....you look out the windows in your room and see palm trees or the American Flag and that is welcome. And I found a place to park next to a retention pond and I see Great Blue Herons, Little Blues, Egrets, Ibis and all kinds of ducks and geese. So I always stand there a few minutes and see how many different birds I can spot.

This Common Sneezeweed is in full bloom now too and it is gorgeous!

Common Sneezeweed info HERE.

Thanks again for your prayers and encouraging words. For those that missed my last post, my husband has a very rare cancer....B cell lymphoma and he is very sick. 

God Bless you, your blog buddy Diane

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Out on a limb (or camping out)!

 

This little bluebird has perched 'out on a limb'!

And he's wondering how to get down, or maybe what's down there!

But he's content to perch.

And there are other pretty bluebirds in the woods at this time of year too.

And don't even get me started on the Warblers!

Every year I'm pleasantly surprised at how many Warblers fly into town.

This one just needs a tasty worm before going his happy way.

One more...with an attitude! 

And isn't this Flicker regal up on this old snag?

I enjoyed watching him

and taking photos from every angle.

I love seeing that dark red patch on the back of his head.

These were all taken on one hike along the Marjorie Harris Cross Florida Greenway!

How fabulous to live so close to the trailhead.

And the Long-tailed Skipper was pretty fantastic too.

We have a lot to be thankful for here in Florida in Fall.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

If I'm slow visiting everyone, I might be perched under a palm tree.....

camping at one of our beautiful State Parks! 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Shangri-La Trailhead, best for "Winter hiking"

 Now that the weather has cooled off here in Florida I am enjoying some of the trails I usually avoid in the summer months. 

But as you can see by the parking area at the Shangri-La Trailhead, I have it all to myself today!

The trails are just gorgeous and easy to walk. 

The way the trails 'lie', there's not much breeze so it feels hotter and the bugs enjoy it more than I do in the summer heat! So I wait for the cooler temps with less humidity.

Some of the trails follow the old diggings and it is perfectly quiet and peaceful.

We've had some rain so the mushrooms are abundant in the forest.

I'll pop a mosaic in to try to show more of these beauties!

This one looks like it has a little skirt on!

And we've seen lots of Warblers, Flycatchers and Bluebirds this week.

I know many people have gotten a winter blast this week. We've had a few cold nights too!

Hubby took this Eastern Bluebird photo and it's one of my all time favorites now!

Enjoy your week and get outside to enjoy nature when you can!

And for those of you who are interested in the BIG announcement I made on Jan. 23rd, I'll include a link to the post HERE!

 It's going to be FUN!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Oh Deer! The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

 

I don't know why but we have been seeing deer on most of our hikes this week.

Some of our hikes are in the morning and others in the afternoon and we are taking different trails.

But it's a joy to see them.

These are along the Marjorie Carr Cross Florida Greenway so there is no hunting.

They get used to people hiking and bikes riding too.

I get a thrill spotting them in the forest.

I love this young buck.

He has the smallest rack of antlers!

What a beautiful animal!

And we are seeing Eastern Bluebirds every day.

This one was joined by a friend.

The Bluebird didn't budge when a Warbler flew in.

And they seemed content to share this old snag.

It's been perfect hiking weather this week. 

How's the weather at your house?

For those concerned please click on the link HERE to read the facebook page started by the Greenway Guardians. Duke Energy is proposing a project to build high voltage power lines through the Greenway. As you can imagine this would be disastrous to wildlife, birds and their habitat. Thanks to those fighting to preserve the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

'Bluebird of Happiness Hill' hosts the American Kestrels!

 

Did you notice that I said Kestrels...plural?

I hike this section of Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway....often! 

I park on hwy 484 and walk West (there's a good turn around at SR 200).

We see Kestrels pretty often in the winter months but I don't remember seeing 2 of them perching together.

Male American Kestrel

After awhile the female flew to another branch.

Female American Kestrel

This bug or dragonfly 'photobombed' me but it does look like she is wondering if it will fly close enough for her to snag it.

I saw a beautiful Mourning Dove on an old snag closer to the trail.

Mourning Dove

And when I looked at my photos, I could see that the Kestrel was in the distance.

I'll include this photo of one that has been preening.

And one more of the pair! It may be a long time before I see 2 Kestrels together on a branch!

Well, you expect to see Eastern Bluebirds on the hill so I'll end this post with these remarkable beauties!

Eastern Bluebird

They are such a bright blue at this time of year.

He's looking for YOU! lol

Have you seen some pretty color this week? Birds or flowers?

Enjoy your weekend and if the weather's nice, get outside to enjoy nature! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.