My Happy Place UPDATED at the end

 

We found a new bench on one of our hiking trails. It's up on a plateau where some bike trails intersect so I'm sure it was put there for the mountain bikers. I hope they don't mind if I sit there and ponder from time to time.

I have to say I have lots of happy places to hang out. There are benches and picnic tables all along the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. But to tell the truth, I rarely sit down. 

We found this new bench on a hike a few days ago and then I went back up there to sit and observe. I told myself I would sit there for 15 minutes but I didn't quite make it. I would rather be walking around, seeing what's around the bend.

Bike Trail Signs....and NO we don't walk on the bike trails!!!

We have the most beautiful Phlox growing along the highways right now and I parked next to a patch.

Lots of butterflies and bees!

I hope you can find your happy place. Even if you can't get out and walk, sometimes a drive in the country or a visit to a lake or river can give you a nature boost. It's important for our mental health. And you just never know what you'll see!

What do you think this is?

I've shown one before so many of you will remember what it is. They are hard to see on the ground among the leaves. 

I brought it home to photograph it with my roses.

It might be a tiny hummingbird nest! 

UPDATE...I had my doubts and they were confirmed by two of my favorite Florida blogs. Pamela sent me a link (in the comments) and Wally sent me this link in an email. It is NOT a hummingbird nest. It looks very much like one we found a few years ago. But it is the cocoon of the polyphemus moth. Thanks for all of your sweet comments and for the help in a proper ID. I'm still learning!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

"Happy New Year" How about a HIKE?

 

Well, what did you expect from me for the new year! I can hardly WAIT to get in that first hike!

I used my 'time off' from blogging (and the computer) to make some longer hikes and take a few days trips. Our goal for this year was 150 hikes.....and we beat it by a few! 

157 HIKES for the year 2021!!!

I know not everyone can get out and hike but I hope you can find a way to enjoy nature in the year to come. Packing a picnic lunch or a snack to enjoy at a park or on an old logging road can be enough!

A few 'highlights' from the past two weeks has to include this rare sighting. 

We know there are lots of wild boars out on the Florida trails but we rarely see them.

We were on the back side of the loop at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve when we saw what we think are Papa Hog, Mama Hog and baby hog!

Of course the baby was the cutest! 

And they were far enough away that we didn't get scared. (I didn't get scared!!! lol)

But just as soon as we lowered our cameras we watched in amazement as about 7 or 8 more ran across, lickety split! No photos of them of course! But they were something to see! And we walked up to their crossing to see all the hoof prints.

I'll round this out with a beautiful Northern Harrier that we saw that day....

and wish you a healthy and happy year to come.

I loved this quote even though I don't hike 'mountains' here in Florida! But maybe it just goes to prove that you don't even need a mountain or heavy boots or even walking sticks. Plan a hike....take a drive...get out in nature and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Spring is in the AIR!!!

 I probably should start this post with AHHHCHOOO! 

Yes we have pollen everywhere!

But the birds are singing and the wildflowers are blooming!

So how can I complain?

I tried to ID a few of the wildflowers that are blooming right now.

I have a new Florida Wildflower book by C, Ritchie Bell and Bryan J. Taylor so that really helps!

Alligator Weed + alligator shaped root = 2 baby alligators?

And if the birds and wildflowers aren't enough to make you smile (and you missed my last post), I hiked the Florida trails with my youngest son a few days ago! 

Believe me...I am STILL smiling!

I made this button for my sidebar! 42 hikes so far this year!

Have you had signs of Spring where you live?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

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

AND my Monday post HERE.

Special sightings this week!

 

You can look up in the sky and see that more people are traveling now! Lots of contrails from the airplanes high in the sky flying to Florida destinations. That was one thing we noticed during the pandemic, how few planes were in the sky.

My hubby and I are not 'free to travel' yet but we did get to meet a traveler at the trailhead of my favorite section of the Florida Trails, Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. 

My youngest son traveled through and we hiked together! (and yes I have a mask in my hand for hugging! Moms have to hug, it's just who we are!!!)

That sure lifted our spirits to get to spend time with him. 

And he had a chance to ride his mountain bike on some of the trails here too.

This Pileated Woodpecker was in the tree behind our house this week.

He found something good in that big Live Oak tree!

He sure is photogenic, don't you think?

This guy is too!!!

I hope your week has been a good one. 

It was a GREAT one for me!!!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

"Happiness"

I talked about good mental health in my last post. And I appreciate the positive comments so many of you left! I consider myself a very happy person. I know I'm blessed and I have a positive outlook on life. That of course does not mean I am immune to problems. But I'll focus on 'happiness' today!

Let's walk up the hill and see what we see on Bluebird of Happiness Hill on the Florida trails.

A juvenile on the same hike. 

 I've been seeing so many juveniles this summer and this Eastern Bluebird acts like a juvenile but look at his color!

And I didn't even notice the female when I took this photo. The bright blue stood out so much.

 I am still seeing lots of Red-headed Woodpeckers in this same area.

They sure are beautiful to see.

But if you want something to worry about! 

Maybe we should be concerned about swallowing this big seed WHOLE! heehee!

And then around the bend, this other bird was perched overhead.

Always something to worry about! 

Hope your weekend is filled with happiness!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

     and I’d Rather B Birdin’.