Hiking and biking on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway!

 

We got back from our camping trip and I headed for the Greenway!

The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway! 

It's close to home and always a good hike.

I did not ride a bike but when I looked up the hill on a side trail, these guys waved at me!

Of course I'll get off the paved trail for my hike!

It's a great place to see birds!

These Palm Warblers really have some pretty color at this time of year.

And there are monsters in the forest.

I tried to make this one a monster but I'm not sure. 

What do you think?

At the end of the hike, I looked down the firebreak and saw a Wild Turkey.

We may be camping again soon! I'll visit when I can!

Happy weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

The Florida Scrub-Jays at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

 One of our favorite hiking trails in the cooler months is Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the SR 200 trailhead. 

Florida Scrub-Jay

It's a very open trail and there are areas of white sand that reflect the sun, so it's better for a cool day.

We have in the past seen Florida Scrub-Jays on the back loop near the Savannah. But they are banded so we knew these birds were a different flock.

They were very near the parking area and would be easy for someone to find without taking a full hike. 

We spotted one at the top of a tree as soon as we started our hike.

And then another one hopped out onto the firebreak and showed off for us.

He was really fun to watch!

We saw 4 while we stood there taking his photo.

One of them was really bright blue.

This one was shy!

They are so unique and it's so nice to have these habitats for this endangered species.

It's on the federal endangered species list because of the decline in habitat caused by extensive development. 

So we watched and marveled at this flock of friendly birds.

And then we walked the loop and saw a few more birds and lots of wildlife tracks! (deer, bear, turkey, coyote, raccoon, wild hogs and rabbits)

Black and white Warbler, thanks David Gascoigne for help with the ID!

Palm Warbler

Mourning Dove

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve is a nature lover's paradise!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

 Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

We were honored to be featured in the Ocala's Good Life magazine this month and would like to share a link to the online version below. Thanks to JoAnn Guidry for such a wonderful article! What a fun experience! Happy Trails!

     

Enjoy our article in Ocala's Good Life magazine HERE.

It's December! YAY!

 

I'm very glad to turn a page in the calendar this month. November was incredibly hard for me. But I am blessed and want to share some photos from recent hikes.

A beautiful quote! 

Bella Moth

Bella Moth

No....I am NOT a chicken!!!

Palm Warblers

What's left of some of the wildflowers!

Downy Woodpeckers

A fancy figurine?

Or a knot on a log! Use your imagination to make it something beautiful!

We all go through hard times but it sure is nice to know there are always interesting blog posts to read and blog friends that go out of their way to be supportive throughout the year...in good times and bad. I am going to use this space for a personal note today. For the blog friends that I usually exchange Christmas cards with, just hang on to those cards until next year. I'm not going to send out cards this month. It just seems like too hard a task to tackle right now. I know you'll understand. (or you can read my last post HERE) 

I'm going to concentrate on spending time in nature and giving in other ways. 

Let's spread Goodwill all month long!

 And get out in nature whenever we can!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Florida Fall featuring the 'Littles'!

 

We really don't have a problem seeing little things when we hike. We walk really slow! lol

Palm Warbler (thanks hubby for the photo!)

And we are constantly looking about!

Tiny wasp on Dotted Horsemint (it smells incredible, minty sweet!)

It's been perfect hiking weather here this past week and we even took one afternoon hike with it only in the 70s! 

So here's a few of the 'littles' we saw on the trails.

Grasshopper

Shiny beetle

Hover fly (hard to photograph but so much fun to see)

Probably a Hornet and not as neat to see!

And not little! For a wasp, it was huge! lol

A teeny tiny moth!

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

We're seeing a lot of these birds right now!

Feay's Palafox at top with honey bee, Cypress vine is the tiny red flower and a small purple morning glory.

Even this horse at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve was small!

Has your weather been nice too? Do you love getting outside in the Fall? The birds are returning to Florida so we've had some good sightings too! Lots of photos to sort through! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

The American Kestrel and friends

 

Fall is the perfect season to get outside in this part of Florida. The weather is mild, humidity is lower and there are interesting birds at every turn. 

Some we haven't seen in awhile.

Like this American Kestrel.

I don't usually get a photo that shows the bright color he sports.

And then how amazing to look up in the sky and see two more soaring overhead.

Can't leave these beautiful birds out on this hike.

The Northern Flicker

And even a photo of his back.

The pretty Eastern Bluebird.

A Red-headed Woodpecker.

A Pileated Woodpecker.

A Tufted Titmouse

Rufous-sided Towhee

Prairie Warbler

Palm Warbler

and a Blue Jay!

All taken on a 2 hour hike on the Florida trails near my house! 

Amazing! I know! 

Have you seen any interesting birds near you this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.