I've spread my wings!

 When you suffer a loss, you have choices. If we're not careful, we let others or circumstances determine our paths. But I've been fortunate to have the strength and support of so many that the decisions I made came more easily.

Mississippi Kite

The first hike I made after my husband died was one week after he passed. I took this hike with two of my sons and my daughter in law. A week later, I took another hike with my son, D as a remembrance to my husband. Then when everyone left I hiked alone. I didn't want to do it but I needed to spend time in nature. And as they say....the rest is history.

God lifted me up, my family held me close and friends and neighbors supported me.

Spending time in nature has allowed me to heal.

It has given me joy.

I have hope and now I am looking forward to a brighter future.

Life is hard for us all. We have that in common....we all suffer.

Don't give up. Find joy in the beauty that surrounds you and be thankful.

Words are not enough to thank you for your outpouring of love last week.

All of my blog buddies mean the world to me. We love and support each other....through thick and through thin. It's a good thing. I don't take it for granted.

And of course a special thanks to J. for hiking in the summer heat in Florida. I think he likes me, what do you think?

My hiking buddy J.A. joined us on this hike and that was super special! Thanks J.A. for being there for me for this most difficult year.

God bless you, each and every one of you.

With love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

A Quick trip to the Pruitt Trailhead!

 

Even a short hike can reap great results! 

When we drove in, the first bird I saw was perched on an old dead snag. So I rolled the window down and took a photo.

Mississippi Kite

We see Kites all through the summer months here in Florida.

Swallow-tailed Kite

Queen Butterfly

The stars of this little outing were the butterflies!

The Queen butterfly was exquisite!

And some of them were a duller brownish color. 

The Gulf Fritillary is always a pretty orange and common in North Central Florida.

And here are the maps for this little outing!

I love these unknown roads! I feel right at home here!

Happy September everyone!

 I am getting this post done early before Hurricane Idalia comes through. I'll update it to let everyone know how we fared. Hopefully it will just be a rain event for our area and we won't have any damage. I'm keeping everyone in the path of the storm in my prayers.

Update : We weathered the storm without any damage. You don't have to drive far to see a lot of damage though. We live about 30 miles, as the crow flies from Cedar Key. But we are fine and have clear skies and hot temps again! WHEW!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Felburn Park and the 'flying fish'!

 

When we drove to the Gulf Coast last week, we took our picnic lunch to Felburn Park. More info HERE.

It's a state park and one of our favorites here in Florida. 

And after we ate, we walked 

the trail to Phil's Lake.

 Then we spent some time looking out at the Cross Florida barge canal.

It was too hot to be out for very long. It was still in the 80s but the humidity was very high and there wasn't much of a breeze. No problem with bugs or flies here thankfully!

I'm generally a happy person and it's not unusual for me to laugh out loud.

And I had a lot to laugh about!

The Striped Mullet or "jumping mullet" were putting on a show.

More info HERE!

Hey! I think I see one over there!

And there's TWO!

It was funny to see them jump out of the water but it was just as funny to try to photograph them.

When you saw one jump, it was too late to focus in and take a shot.

So all of our photos were lucky shots!

We saw lots of beautiful wildflowers 

and this amazing Mississippi Kite!

Mississippi Kite perched in a tree.

And then we saw each other too. 

But don't ZOOM in so much! 

Give me a minute to 'strike a pose' next time! 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too! 

Can we at least drive out to Pruitt?

 I have all my 'ducks in a row'!

Well, we all know I can't just drive to the trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve without getting out for a short hike.

One lone Cattle Egret greeted me when I got out!

It has been unbearably HOT lately though so you can't stay outside for long.

It may look cool in the shade but it most definitely was NOT!

Doesn't that look like a monster in the trail ahead?

CLOSER!

 

I may have stood in the sun too long and I'm imagining monsters! lol

This looks like an owl! 

The Sandhill Cranes are smart enough to hang out in the shade of the Live Oak Trees.

I saw a Bobwhite walk across the trail in front of me too. He sauntered but I didn't get a good photo of him. Fun to see and watch out in the tall grasses.

Hope we get a break in the heat soon. 

I spotted this Mississippi Kite from my front window and stood in the driveway for the photos.

He was a beauty!

He flew right over my head!

Enjoy your weekend! 

Stay cool and safe! 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

HOP IN! Maybe we'll meet an artist on the trail!

 

We hiked the Halpata Tastanaki Trail at the Pruitt trailhead last week and met a well known local artist.

We've seen him before and spoken to him but this time I asked if he had art displayed locally. And he does!

Meet John Romaine. His facebook page is HERE.

I took a photo of the huge live oak tree nearby but he may have been drawing the one across the trail.

It's a beautiful place to set up your easel and spend some time.

We've had some good hikes lately and enjoyed our time outdoors.

(Mississippi Kite, Swallowtail Kite, Cattle Egret, Hawk)

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday weekend!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.