Sightings close to home!

 I haven't been on the trails as much this week but hopefully I'll get back out more regularly after this week. We've gotten a lot of things done around the house and in the yard so I feel good about how my time has been spent! 

But I'm going to need some trail therapy soon! The weather has improved and I can't wait!

How do you like this Great White Egret that walked through the neighborhood?

And this was a funny sight looking out the window in the back!

Off you go!

They look like they are saying I'm not very nice. They only wanted to scratch in the courtyard and make a mess! 

We have a Dove family that I see every day. 

This looks like a young one!

And the sunsets have been spectacular.

I didn't enhance these colors.

(taken from the courtyard)

It really was this vibrant!

I also ordered a new camping journal. 

The green one is from this past year and I filled it up.

The brown one will be ready when we are....which I hope is soon!

Enjoy your weekend!

I hope you have something fun planned!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Memorial Day and Duck Duck Jeep!

 I know we all have a heavy heart with the terrible tragedy in Texas unfolding but it's a good time to remember our heroes in the military. We observe Memorial Day to honor the men and women who lost their lives while in service. We have so much to be thankful for living here in the USA! 

And it's always encouraging and uplifting when we can reach out to each other and bring some happiness.

I've had my Jeep for over a year now and I still love it. 

It's been great for driving around on the backroads of Florida on our hiking adventures. (not crowded in these destinations)

When we were at the Gulf Coast, a Willys Jeep did a little circle near me (at the boat dock) and I said Hello, I have a Willys too! (her windows were down of course) 

She grabbed a little rubber duck off the dashboard of her Jeep and handed it to me with lots of smiles all around!

And then on another day, we were at Blue Run Park when I put a duck on the door handle of this pretty blue Jeep.

 

And as soon as I did, this pretty young lady walked up with a smile on her face and we chatted and took pics. 

It's always nice when you can reach out to others and make a connection. 

AND share some smiles!

Have a beautiful week ahead. 

A Hunter and it's Prey!

 

I'm not trying to make a statement with this post. I love ALL birds and ALL critters.

I'm just showing you what I saw in my backyard this week. 

Had I rather the Hawk catch a mouse or a snake? Maybe!

But we are overrun with squirrels and that's what he found to eat.

The crows were either trying to scare him off or expected him to share! lol

I snapped this photo not knowing what I would get....

but I was pleased with the results. (cropped pic below)

We all eat to live! Have pity on the Red-tailed Hawk!

He was hungry! (and the songbirds at the feeder live another day!)

I'll end with this beautiful passion flower seen at the entrance to the Florida Trails East off C R-484, one of my MOST favorite places to hike!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Two of our most common Hawks in Florida

There are lots of Hawks here in Florida and this past week we saw two of our most common hawks right in our own neighborhood. A good opportunity to try out my new camera by zooming in on them.

This Red-tailed Hawk was in the tall Pine tree behind our house.

He called and called while I clicked away.

He had beautiful markings!

And then my hubby grabbed my camera and took these of a Red-shouldered Hawk that was perched on the roof of the house across the street.

What gorgeous rich colors!

He's a beauty too.

I'm still pointing my camera at anything that stands still and a few things that don't! lol

I thought these wildflowers looked dreamy.

And I think this is Horsemint.

Stand still! I'll take YOUR pic!!! heehee!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Let's go for a Neighborhood Walk!

Most of our nature trails are closed so I've walked in the neighborhood some this week.  

It's a beautiful day...would you like to come along?

We live in an 'active' community and there are more walkers out in the neighborhood than we see on the forest trails! But everyone keeps their distance.

And it is nice to see all the pretty homes and see what flowers are blooming.

I carry my phone when I walk so these are taken with my phone.

We've had beautiful weather so I can't complain about that!

It's nice to be able to at least wave at my neighbors!

And I just HAVE to share the book I've just finished in case you are in need of a good book to read. (I checked it out as an ebook from my library)

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

FIVE STARS! ALL the stars! It was THAT good!

Let me know if you've read it and also please tell me in the comments how you are doing! Are you well? I continue to pray and I know you do too!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .