Withlacoochee Bay Trail, buggy but beautiful!

 We've been anxious to drive back over to the Gulf Coast, weather permitting. It's been hot and humid and pop up showers are hard to predict. (and they usually come from the warm Gulf waters) 

So when we saw it would be low tide, we took a drive.

More chance of seeing shorebirds when there are exposed sandbars at low tide.

And the water was glassy and the views were amazing!

But there were deer flies buzzing all around. We didn't get a single bug bite but they were annoying to say the least!

Do you see the one that photobombed this photo? He was right on the lens of the camera for crying out loud!

But it was a good day for sightings!

Osprey

Tricolored Heron and Great White Egret.

Are you following me?

The Heron just wanted to hang out with the Egret! 

And here's proof that the earth is FLAT!

Don't go out too far and fall off! lol

This Swallowtail Kite might take a photo of you and post it on his blog! hahahaha! Straight out of camera with his catch of the day!

He has his camera focused right on YOU!!!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

Slow hiking in the heat of the summer!

 I wanted to give these beautiful deer there very own post.

I parked at the Pruitt trailhead to hike the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve trail. There's a locked gate with a small opening so after I walk through that, I'm on an old roadbed. And later it is grassy but we won't get that far today. My hike was cut short because of a thunderstorm that was headed my way.

When I looked ahead at an old fence line with shade from huge Live Oak Trees, it looked like a goat standing there. 

I walked slow and steady hoping I wouldn't spook whatever it was.

 

And when I got closer, it looked like one of the deer was lying down, which is unusual.

One of the deer stayed in sight and the others went back into the tall grasses.

And just when I was zoomed in with my camera! 

I had another deer photobomb me! That gave me a start! 

This deer ran across the road right in front of me.

I didn't get to walk much farther before the one young deer decided I was close enough and the lady in the pink cap might indeed be a threat. So he bounded off too. But it sure was a neat sighting.

I walked far enough to look out at the preserve and take a few wildflower photos. And then I walked at a faster pace to get back to the Jeep and come home. But I sure felt exhilarated after such a neat sighting!

St. John's Wort with a tiny insect

We've had more pop up rain showers but we've also found a few openings to get out on the trails! I hope you have too!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!