Florida Fall but still no hikes!

 

My sweet husband has been in the hospital all week but at least they were able to give him a cancer treatment there. (his first full treatment) We are still waiting to hear when he can have another one.

The weather has been gorgeous and I've been thankful for that. The hospital is not very far but it's very nice to have an easy drive.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. I may sit down and write some comments today....God willing.

I miss you all but my days start early and I go to bed at night without even looking at the clock. I 'conk' out! lol

These are photos of the prettiest little Flycatcher that I took last Fall at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

And a wooly worm predicting the winter!

Take care of yourselves.

Sweet hugs, Diane

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve in the Van Camper

 

A Van Camper is great for a day trip to the HTP at the Pruitt Trailhead.

You have everything you need when you finish your hike. You can make a cup of coffee and enjoy a snack out of the refrigerator....oh and go to the bathroom! And sit down to eat!

We know we'll enjoy taking it on other days trips but of course Halpata Tastanaki Preserve is one of my favorite destinations and it's close to home.

These are the first American Kestrels I've seen in awhile. 

I took pics of this one and then when I started to move down the trail, it flew and so did a second one.

So I think I caught a male and female traveling together.

We might see a Kestrel from time to time during the year, but more of them are here in the winter months.

Dragonfly

Bagworm

And don't forget to look UP!

The clouds looked like feathers and I saw a little pile of real feathers too.

There are still lots of Flycatchers at the preserve.

A view of the trail and my turn around point. 

(get a drink of water and make the turn)

Time for some relaxation in the van before heading home.

Do you enjoy day trips?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Happy Thanksgiving and camping out!

We are enjoying the beautiful Fall weather to take some camping trips.

But hopefully I can blog a little and visit everyone along the way!

I am sharing photos of the second half of the 'half a hike' I posted a couple of weeks ago.

This hike was along the Florida Trails from the Pruitt Trailhead.

It's a trail I hadn't taken in a long time.

But the weather is nicer now so I'm taking advantage of the cooler temps to get out more.

Summer Tanager

Flycatcher

A mosaic of another one that posed for me.

Hawk perched high in a tree

Wooly worm

Has anyone else every heard that you can count the stripes on the Wooly worm to see how bad the winter will be? I never can remember if more stripes means a harder winter or the other way around! lol

There's finally some water in the horse pond so it's been especially pretty lately!

I stopped on the dirt road to get the horse farm pics.

Grab your sunglasses before you get out! 

I hope you are all having a blessed Thanksgiving week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve - Plan B

 I've learned over the years not to worry if I get a late start or change my mind about my original plan. 

Iridescent Green Beetle

There may be a reason not to go in the direction I was headed.

On this particular day, I had planned to take a hike from the trailhead near my house, beginning on hwy 484. But when I came to the hwy, the traffic was at a standstill to my left. So I turned right and drove to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

It was a beautiful day and I saw lots of birds and wildlife.

I love this new sign on the fence post.

Gray Catbird

I found out when I got home and searched online that the traffic was stopped because of a bad wreck involving 2 cars and an ambulance. It had happened less than an hour before I left my house. So I was thankful for my late start that morning.

I watched 2 Florida Scrub Jays from a distance.

I see the most variety here on the HTP preserve and it's one of the first (it's actually the second) trail we ever hiked here in this part of Florida.

Three White-tailed Deer ran across the trail right in front of me! I was happy that ONE showed up in my photo!

Dove

Flycatcher

Monster (thanks for asking, Iris! I always wonder if anyone will question my 'monsters'. This is a broken trunk of a tree about 4 ft high. It looked like a huge 'monster' bird...just for fun!)

And how about this very cute animal track!

So it turns out that Plan B was the best plan. It's great to have so many trails close by so that I have choices. I have much to be thankful for!

Are you having good weather to enjoy time outdoors?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Which trail will YOU take?

 

We drove over to the Pruitt Trailhead and parked at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

The gate is locked and only authorized personnel are allowed in but the road surface makes for an easy trail to hike. 

But look ahead! Do you see the storm in the distance? 

Let's turn to the right and get 'off the beaten path'!

Today was a beautiful day and we saw a few people riding horses. 

We asked this couple if the horses they were leading were in training but they said, "No, they just didn't want to get left behind." Everyone wanted to take a ride!

Another couple enjoying an afternoon ride.

The views were gorgeous as we walked.

And we saw lots of birds along the way.

Hermit Thrush

Robin

Flycatcher

This is the trail that beckons me. A tree lined trail that goes deeper into the woods.

But it's been a good day and the storm went away from us so we stayed dry.

And I took this photo from the side window, with hubby driving 55 mph down the highway.

Pretty spectacular to see so much beauty, even on the drive home.

We see horses just about every time we go anywhere here in North Central Florida. Do you see horses where you live?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.