Hiking on a four lane hwy! Is it safe?

 It seems pretty safe on this particular highway!

I rarely see another hiker and I've managed to avoid seeing a bear.

But the blackberries are ripe and I see 'evidence' that they've eaten there!

I love walking down in the canal diggings and that's where I took the trail photos.

This one was taken after a rain shower passed through and left it a little 'less hot'.

Out in the open there are lots of wildflowers blooming.

I always see butterflies.

But on this particular hike, I watched a large hummingbird.

It was the biggest one I've ever seen and really surprised me.

I'm not hiking as much now with the heat but I get out when I can.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

"The Bridge to Nowhere" Old Town, Florida

 

We took a day trip to Old Town, Florida on one of our camping trips for a hike to the Suwannee River. 

And yes, we walked across the "Bridge to Nowhere".

It was a beautiful sunny morning but the trees along the path provided plenty of shade and this was my favorite photo of the day.

Of course hubby and I got into the picture with that beautiful background!

There's so much history on the internet that I will add some links if you want to learn more.

This one HERE told of the supply ship that brought lumber to build the bridge. They sunk the ship when the delivery was made. That seems so odd but you can see the sunken ship sometimes.

Another good article HERE.

We took our time and took photos from both sides of the bridge.

Of course the Suwannee River is a beautiful river and we had a quiet morning.

There were very few walkers and bikes and no boats on the river.

It sure gave us a peaceful time in nature.

There were a few houses and this one was right on the river.

Another house had a longhorn cow and a donkey.

We saw hummingbirds feeding on the trumpet vine too.

These were purple martins I think.

This sign was at a residence along the trail.

It's an out of the way place to visit.

Just what I love!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

AAARGH!!! We've run her AGROUND!!!

 

When you leave the house and get out in the big world, you just never know WHAT you'll see!

For those of us living in Florida, this is especially true.

Dolphins in the water

When we drove out to hike the Withlacoochee Bay Trail we spotted this from the observation deck looking out at the Gulf of Mexico.

This photo alone could inspire me to write a story, or at least talk like a pirate! hahaha!

I don't know anything else about it except that we were there at low tide and it was definitely stuck on a sand bar. Oh but the yarns we could weave about the Strider from Amelia Island!

But it's time to take photos of the birds and see what else we can see on this 2 hour hike!

Black Skimmers

Black Skimmers

Bald Eagle

Another HUGE Eagle!

 Juvenile Eagle

For some reason we don't think these birds are quite as 'elegant'!

Black Vulture

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Hubby took these photos and they are so good (and I didn't take any vulture photos!) He also gets credit for the hummingbird at the end of the post!

On the drive over we saw Cattle Egrets and several Sandhill Cranes in a low marshy area (no photos) and when we got to the trailhead to park, we saw this wild Turkey!

Lots of beautiful flowers in bloom

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly on Verbena

and a Great Southern White butterfly!

The very last thing we saw on the hike was a hummingbird feeding from Coral Honeysuckle.

Amazing! 🌴

What was your favorite? Know any pirate quotes?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Humming right along!

 

We enjoyed some time in the mountains of North Carolina and took a few hikes while we were there too.

The first place we headed was Fletcher Park!

It never disappoints!

We watched this hummingbird while we enjoyed the flowers and art work in this part of the park.

It hovered right in front of our eyes!

I'm not sure what these red flowers were but the hummers loved them!

Our hike was a little stalled while we marveled at these tiny birds.

And around our condo there were lots of flowers planted to attract hummingbirds and hummingbird moths.

It was neat to see these moths every time we walked around outside.

Just one more! lol

It's fun to see different birds and flowers when you travel.

But back at Fletcher Park, I'll get a few photos of the Jeep with mountains in the background. This is Bernie Mt.

Oh and one more moth, a Skipper!

We had a good time but it's also nice to be back in Florida!

 (even though it's too HOT to hike!)

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.