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!

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

Dotted Horsemint and Horses

 

Dotted Horsemint is in full bloom right now.

It's not only beautiful, it's smells amazing!

You can see why it's called 'dotted' when you look closely.

This is what a big stand of it looks like!

So does that have anything to do with horses? 

I did a search and the only reference I saw was the fact that it has an aromatic beneficial phenol thymol and is used medicinally for horses and humans. 

I went back over some of the photos I've taken of horses at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

The preserve shares a common fence with a horse farm so it's a good place to see horses.

There are trails on the preserve for horses too.

Our wildflowers are going crazy right now.

They are everywhere in abundance along with a beautiful variety of butterflies and moths.

Our temps for every day this week...high at right around 90, low 70. The humidity is not as bad and there are nice breezes every day so I won't complain! Typical for this part of Florida in September!

Does it feel more like Fall at your house?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and the Amazing Sights

 

It has been WAY too hot to hike anywhere and Halpata Tastanaki Preserve doesn't have much shade at the beginning of the Pruitt trailhead so my visits have been few and far between this summer.

It's such a great place to go because you can always see some amazing sights!

The Sandhill Cranes were right where I parked.

I took the photos before I even got out of the Jeep.

And these horses were at the trailhead too, finishing up a ride.

I think this is a blackbird, maybe a Red Winged Blackbird.

But it was hard to tell with the patchy color on it's wings.

Let me know what you think about the ID. Thanks!

The preserve had some beautiful Pickerelweed down in the wet areas.

A wide sandy trail.

And I've seen a lot of birds chase Hawks but I don't remember seeing a Pileated woodpecker chase one. Maybe there's a nest of young woodpeckers nearby.

Thanks again for the wonderful comments on my Woodpeckers last week. I felt so encouraged reading such sweet comments. Being encouraged by blog friends is one of the joys of blogging, isn't it?

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 !

Sharing the Trail at the Shangri-La trailhead!

Let's drive back over to Shangri-La trailhead!

(horse trailer from the rear)

You can always count on seeing a few horse trailers and horses on the trails.

But let's see if I can find a parking space! lol

Some of the trails I hike on are shared trails but that's never been a problem.

I sometimes see a horse but it's an easy trail to step aside. And I always give the horses a wide berth. I don't want them to be nervous around me.

And the riders are always friendly when they pass.

Don't you love this horse trailer and the artwork at the top?

It's beginning to be one of my favorite hikes because of the beautiful forests with a chance to see wildlife and birds, flowers and butterflies.

Zebra Swallowtail butterfly, bull thistle

And when I left, this lone turkey wandered onto the dirt road in front of the Jeep.

So it was a chance for me to pull over in the grass and watch him wander!

I think I've learned my hiking form from him...a bit of a wander and meander!

Have you seen signs of Spring at your house this week?

It's beautiful here in Florida and I'm still hiking just about every other day which makes me happy AND healthy!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !