The World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida

 

We may not have sandy beaches and seashells in this part of Florida but we do have The World Equestrian Center. It is the largest equestrian center in the United States and hosts horse shows, competitions and special events. 

It was fun to walk around and see the grounds and all of the beautiful sculptures.

The hotels and shops are over the top! 

I felt like a lady of leisure sitting in the lobby of one of the hotels, sitting by the blazing fireplace while it was in the 90s outside! haha! 

What a place to spend the afternoon!

I've driven by it many times but this was the first time I had spent time there and I enjoyed it. I would love to go back and watch one of the horse events.

Over the years, I've shared a lot of photos of the adjoining horse farms and the beauty of the land.

And if you are thinking that I am enjoying new things outside of my 'comfort zone'.

I went to a concert. Yes I did! 

An Elvis impersonators concert.

And guess what! It was awesome! 

The performers were all so talented and I fell in love with the music of Elvis all over again.

Have you done anything lately 'outside your comfort zone'? 

It's kind of scary, isn't it!

Love, Diane 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Horses and Cows and Bees....OH MY!

 I always see a lot of birds when I go to the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve but I also see some other interesting sights.

When you drive into the Pruitt Trailhead from hwy 484, the road goes through the preserve to the Florida Trails and HTP trailhead but it also has some private land to the West. 

I love seeing the horses on this horse farm.

They look so peaceful in this setting and the sky was darkening with a shower coming in from the Gulf.

There are also cows grazing....

or cows gazing!

So those were some of the sights I saw when I started my hike.

What did I see when I ended the hike?

A swarm of honey bees.

I've never seen that on a hike but when I went back a week later they were still there.

The bees are right in the center of this photo.

I know they may not be dangerous but I gave them a wide berth and zoomed in for these photos.

They were quite active! Hope the scout finds them a hollow tree or good place for their hive. I guess I'll check on them again in a few days!

So what's buzzin'.... 

or mooing where you live?

Have you had a good week too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

 

We took a hike even though it was 'warm'! The temps are not so high but the humidity is higher than the temp. And we've had a summer of few breezes! 

There's a nice long gravel drive from the highway to the trailhead and we see quite a lot from the Jeep.

And it's easy to pull over and get out if we need a better angle!

We've seen a lot of big birds on this particular tree that is such a good perch for raptors,

but never a Great Blue Heron!

Doesn't it look like the shape of a heart where his neck curves in?

Someone riding their horse,

Cattle Egrets in a tree

and even a juvenile Little Blue Heron on the fence.

One of the funniest thing we saw on the trail was this Crawdad!

What in the world is he doing on the hiking trail?

Trying to make his way to the marshland I guess. We thought maybe a bird flew over with him and accidentally dropped him. We didn't try to capture him and carry him to the water and I felt kind of guilty leaving him there. He was scooting along pretty good though so I like to think he found his way.

And to keep going with 'a favorite thing' (besides my red Jeep).... 

Here's my camera, a Canon Powershot SX 70 HS. I love it! But what I really want to show you is the camera strap. The link to it is HERE! I love having a wider and more comfortable strap and it's pretty too!

God Bless America

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Horse, Horse, Donkey

We live in the Horse Capital of the World so wherever we go, we pass horse farms.

 I like this quote....

"It is hard to come to Marion County without becoming almost immediately aware that it is the “Horse Capital of the World.” Only 5 cities in the world are permitted under Chamber of Commerce guidelines to be called “Horse Capital of the world.” The city of Ocala just so happens to be 1 out of 4 that are located in America. Ocala has more than 70,000 acres of thoroughbred breeding and training farms, which makes Ocala/Marion County capital to all things equine." whatsupocala.com 

 We couldn't hike over the weekend because of the heat. The temps aren't so terrible but the humidity is as high as the temps so we've had a heat advisory for the past few days. So we took a drive!

 This horse farm is really close to us and this summer it has been amazing to see the horses in the pasture. It looks like every big horse has a small horse by it's side! Lots of babies born recently.

 And of course we love seeing the donkeys that are there guarding the herd!

 This would be a game of 'what doesn't belong'? 

(the fire station is across the street)

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .