Halpata Tastanaki and the Florida Scrub Jays

 It's still hot and humid here in Florida but one day this week I just HAD to get out!

I thought I would drive over to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (SR 200) and look for the Florida Scrub Jays!

And I found them not too far from the trailhead.

The one I got the most photos of was very dull in color.

I've never seen one so dull.

This is a photo of one I took a couple of months ago and it shows the pretty blue.

Well, I thought....I can at least walk down and see if there are persimmons on the fruit trees.

And there were quite a few.

Oh, I feel so good, I think I'll just walk down to where the trail splits and see what I can see.

It has rained some evenings and the sandy trail was like walking on velvet.

Look at all the animal tracks!

Wild Hog track

I felt great.

And I saw so many neat things.

It was partly cloudy and humid but I kept moving.

And the next thing I knew, I had a regular hike in.

Do you know how I know? Well.....I was hiking for over an hour and felt fine until I got home. And then I crashed! I didn't realize how out of shape I was after a hot summer in the house.

But I survived and now I can't wait to get back out there.

And there are always interesting things when you get out on the Florida trails. I met the nicest man at the trailhead. He was all set up with his ham radio. Well, that was a first and I really enjoyed talking to him. 

Thanks Chris for taking the time to tell me about your ham radio experiences!

Happy Hiking everyone!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

The Blue Grosbeak at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

 Finally!

I've driven out to HTP once a week for months now and finally saw the Blue Grosbeak!

I saw two of them which was a thrill.

They are at the preserve every summer but this year I went all summer before I spotted them.

I was at the end of my hike and they flew right across the trail in front of me.

I get so excited seeing something special like this.

A photo of what I call 'the view' along the trail.

It's always beautiful out there and you always see something special.

I like to look through the trees at the view too!

This little Downy Woodpecker was very cute climbing up and down on this tree.

I also saw an Eagle on my drive over, but I'll have to share more Woodpecker photos today. 

One day I drove out to the Shangri-La trailhead and parked next to this persimmon tree.

It was loaded with fruit!

Have you ever eaten a persimmon? Pucker up! 

We haven't really turned the calendar to 'Fall' here but change is in the air!

We are heartbroken to see the horrific damage caused by Hurricane Helene in so many places. We lived in Asheville, Hendersonville and the small mountain town of Hot Springs, NC for many years and it is devastating to see the damage. And of course worrisome to know so many people are suffering. My prayers are for all those affected. Our relatives that live there are safe. But we appreciate your continued prayers. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Did you see the bear on the trail?

 

Well, no we didn't! But that's what a person on a bike asked us on the section of Florida Trails East of hwy 484. They had just seen it.  (the entrance to our trail below)

Oh my! Did we turn back? No, we went another mile or so. I would say it made me walk faster but I think it slowed me down with all the looking out into the woods to make sure I saw it before it saw me!

Always something exciting when you get out in nature. We know there are black bears in the woods where we hike but I don't really want to see one. I have enough of an imagination to make this log into a wild animal! heehee!

Some of the pretty things we've seen on our hikes this week.

Fall Colors!

End of summer wildflowers and lichen.

Horsemint and Goldenrod

These persimmons look ripe but they are high in a tree. Maybe the bear will climb up there and feast on them.

Bottom left is where we park for this trail.

A few oddities this week too! All were on cars except the blue balloon hiding behind a tree. 

The weather's GREAT! Get out there! 

(I sound like the weather channel on TV)

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.   

Pucker up for Persimmons!

I've always heard that you can't eat Persimmons until after a frost. So I'm not sure what you can do here in Florida since it won't frost for awhile! But we've found Persimmon trees on most of our hiking trails and the fruit appears ripe.

These photos were taken at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve at the Pruitt Trailhead.

 It's was a beautiful week and a super busy weekend! I'm behind with posting AND visiting!

Did you have a fun weekend too?

 I'll be by to see you soon!

 (unless I'm out on the trails!)

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .