"Attention to Details"

 

I like to think I'm observant but I am still surprised when I work on my photos how many 'hidden details' I've missed!

Hey, Mr. Flycatcher! 

Spit out that grasshopper and eat some of these pesky gnats and mosquitoes!

And it's going to take this Osprey a long time to build a nest at this rate!

But look how interesting those wispy feathers are along the legs of this Great Blue Heron.

And this seemed like an unusual place for a mushroom to grow.

I guess it likes more light and air!

I'm going to get a little creepy now.

I took this photo thinking I was looking at a pretty plant but when I bent down to look more closely, this Green Anole jumped. I jumped too. I don't know who jumped higher! Isn't he perfectly hidden?

This poor alligator!

He has no body!

And I wasn't even sure this was an alligator until I looked at my pics!

He's trying to look like a 'knot on a log'! 

How do you like this pretty little pond at Reed Bingham State Park?

Read the small sign at the bottom! 

These ponds are for the kids....oh and the alligators!!!

Halloween Pennant

And now to dedicate this next part of my post to my dear friend, John from John's Island HERE. 

He has written me another poem dedicated to my last post and I want to share it today.

"Beneath the pines where hoofbeats roam,

Heritage Farm feels just like home.

Log cabins stand with rustic grace,

As goats and sheep patrol the place.

The Martins dart through gnats with gless,

While trails invite both you and me.

The river calls, the forest hums

Where quite peace and beauty comes.

So here's to the cabins, hooves and leaves

To Autumn dreams and golden eves!''

This is one of the true blessings of having a blog...making blog friends along the way. I know we all feel like sharing our photos with other like minded bloggers enhances our lives. John has really surprised me with these gifts of poetry. Thank you John for your thoughtfulness.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

I "spotted" Bambi!

 

I finally got out on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway this week and hiked from the 49th Ave trailhead.

Zebra Longwing Butterfly

I took the heat advisory warning seriously and stayed inside quite a bit so it felt great to be out on the open trails!

It was around 80 with just a hint of a breeze so it wasn't bad and I remembered why I love the Greenway.

Beautyberry

Of course we can't stay on the paved trail!

Beautyberry Lane

Let's get out in the woods and HIKE!

I saw 3 deer and one was a young one that still had it's spots. That was a thrill.

With all the afternoon showers we had, there were mushrooms growing all through the woods.

Lots of wildflowers and butterflied flitting everywhere.

And I got to say hello to some of my bicycle friends! A group of them were near the trailhead when I finished my hike.

My time indoors has been well spent. I threw myself into some projects around the house and feel so great about all that I've accomplished. But I probably should have taken a blog break because I didn't spend time on my computer. I'm behind visiting everyone. It was enjoyable to read blogs in the evening when I was too tired to do anything else. But I haven't commented so I will catch up soon.

I also want to mention the passing of our dear friend, Vee from A Haven for Vee. She was a blog friend from the beginning and we shared a lot of good times and bad. I'm going to miss her. She always teased me that an alligator was going to walk through my front yard when I went outside. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Butterfly weed

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Calming Colors

 

Here in Florida, it's the time of year for the woods to calm down. 

The colors are muted (only a few colorful leaves left) and there are fewer wildflowers. It's still beautiful, just calmer. 

Photos taken on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway from CR 484 trailhead.

Rock formations in the canal diggings and a table in honor of Joseph in what I call 'gnome village'. 

 Fence Lizard

A more colorful sight were these clusters of mushrooms at the base of this tree!

It really was eye catching!

I'm not sure what they are, do you know?

And I met a sweet lady at Blue Run Park this week too.

I rushed over to give her a Jeep ducky and she pulled out a zip lock bag and gave me a colorful ducky! Thanks Missy!

What a fun surprise! This is HER cool red Jeep!

It's very hard to see so many sad things in the world right now. But getting out in nature helps. And something I don't stress as often is the exercise you get. It makes so much difference when you go to bed at night and want to calm your mind to fall asleep. It's what I call 'good tired'. Get some exercise, take a relaxing bath, read a good book and then go to bed. It will help you sleep good and be able to tackle whatever you face the next morning. I am thankful that my family members that were in the path of this terrible tornado outbreak are safe. And I am praying for everyone that is suffering, including family members that have lost a dear loved one this past week.

 Take care of yourself and God bless you.

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too! 

I'll share some beauty with you today!

 

Sometimes we're asked what we are taking photos of in the woods.

Birds

(Swallowtail Kite, Red headed Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher)

Wildlife

Butterflies and dragonflies

Mushrooms

Wildflowers

The list goes on and on!

  

Just some of what we see here in North Central Florida in the summer months. 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.   

Get out there and mix it up!

 

I live in a retirement community in a comfortable home. And there are times when it would be easier to stay at home and relax. But I don't like to sit still and do nothing. I like to be active.

And I can't remember when I've had a more interesting and unusual week as this past week.

We hiked a familiar trail and saw log trucks. 

Way back on the land that constitutes the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve are some pine forests. Here's a photo of the locked gate they go through, it's not open to the public.

But we happened to be there to see 3 big trucks haul Texas Toothpicks out of the forest. (that's what we always called the tall skinny pine trees)

And then there was an early morning meeting with a very special young man.

One of my sons was passing through and I got to have breakfast with him and hug him about 100 times! 

That really made the week AMAZING!

And then I got to do a good deed. I'm not at liberty to say what I did. But I will say I didn't hesitate to do the right thing. And even though I will not know the outcome, I hope and pray someone is very thankful for the hiker in the pink cap this week. I know God blesses us when we live our lives caring for others and following the Golden Rule. 

So I have had lots of good feelings and special blessings this past week. 

Have you had a chance to let your light shine?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.  

Florida in February!

 

We start seeing flowers and flowering trees in the month of February here in Florida. We even have a fair amount of pollen already.

But it's beautiful!

And we love it!

Most of these were taken at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon, a nice place to spend a day any time of the year. 

We usually go once a week and take a hike!

I hope everyone is seeing their weather improve now.

A few of the birds we saw that day.

(Anhinga, Red-shouldered Hawk and White Ibis)

How are you doing on this fine Monday morning?

Have you been able to get outside and walk any?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,

AND my Monday post HERE.