Sightings close to home!

 I haven't been on the trails as much this week but hopefully I'll get back out more regularly after this week. We've gotten a lot of things done around the house and in the yard so I feel good about how my time has been spent! 

But I'm going to need some trail therapy soon! The weather has improved and I can't wait!

How do you like this Great White Egret that walked through the neighborhood?

And this was a funny sight looking out the window in the back!

Off you go!

They look like they are saying I'm not very nice. They only wanted to scratch in the courtyard and make a mess! 

We have a Dove family that I see every day. 

This looks like a young one!

And the sunsets have been spectacular.

I didn't enhance these colors.

(taken from the courtyard)

It really was this vibrant!

I also ordered a new camping journal. 

The green one is from this past year and I filled it up.

The brown one will be ready when we are....which I hope is soon!

Enjoy your weekend!

I hope you have something fun planned!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Hike #129 Blue Run Park in Dunnellon

 We've hiked quite a bit this week because of the beautiful weather.

Ibis

And there are SO many birds and critters around right now.

I thought I would just share the entry from my hiking journal and then show a few photos.

#129 Blue Run Park to the bridge, beyond to the pond

74 degrees 52% humidity, 1 hr 42 min, 2.2 miles 

Gorgeous! Perfect sun and some clouds! Good day!

Large Swamp Gator, head out of water, mouth OPEN, all sizes of teeth!

Tricolor Heron, Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Green Heron, Hawk, 4 Kingfishers, 3 Kingfishers chasing each other-neat, turtles, Grebes, Moorhen, Warblers, Cardinal, Wren. 

Hawk on ground near our home. 

Large Purple Aster in full bloom! Bumblebee preening on the trail. Stinkbug on flower.

Driving back on the hwy near a Dunnellon airport, small plane flew RIGHT in front of us, scared us both!

Yes, we walk slow when we go to Blue Run because there's so much to see! And I write in my journal after every hike which is a fun way to keep up with what we are seeing from year to year. 

Here's a few of the birds and critters we managed to photograph!

Red shouldered Hawk

Anhinga

Green Heron

Tricolored Heron

Purple Asters on the Withlacoochee River

Purple Asters

Bumblebee on trail

Swamp Gator

I warned you that his mouth was open showing his teeth!

Turtle soup?

Banana Trees

It's perfect hiking weather in Florida! Come on down!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Money for Books!

I am not a big spender. I tend to use it up and wear it out and sometimes even do without! lol

But I do love books! 

So when I won the giveaway that Brenda had on her blog, It's a Beautiful Life, I spent my giveaway money on books! 

I knew she would approve!

 

I always have books and movies in my wish list and I was going between getting some of the When Calls the Heart DVDs or books. And isn't it funny when you have a gift card, you start looking even more diligently! Like my happiness depends on making the right choice! heehee!

So I've been wanting a journal that I can use for writing AND sketching so I found this one!

And then for inspiration, I bought this book too, Keeping a Nature Journal. I am so excited to have them both and look forward to even more hikes with the nicer weather. 

And adding some art to my hiking journal.

I also splurged on Etsy and got a vintage reader. I already had Busy World and I found To and Fro from Three Bear Vintage.  She was delightful to exchange messages with too.

I might have gone slightly over my gift card winnings but I couldn't resist these wonderful books!

Thanks to Brenda for adding to my joy! Happy blogging to her! The link to It's a Beautiful Life is HERE. Visit her....you'll love her AND her beautiful blog! 

And shop Etsy's handmade and vintage items! 

I am praying for everyone in the path of Hurricane Sally...friends and family! Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!