Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

 Most of my hikes take place on the Greenway. 

It's close to my house and there are several trailheads where I can park to start a hike. I'm over 100 hikes for this year!

Pileated Woodpecker

I love these big noisy woodpeckers!

There are 3 trailheads less than 5 miles from me so it's quick and easy to drive over for a hike on the paved trail or on the many primitive trails in the forest. 

And some of the trails have birds and critters that the other sections don't have. (or I don't see!)

So I thought I would share some of the sights I've seen over the past couple of weeks of hiking the Greenway. 

The weather has improved and I'm back to hiking just about every other day. It sure feels great!

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker juvenile

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker (back)

Red headed Woodpecker juvenile

Warbler (pine warbler I think)

And last but not least, Rufous-sided Towhees.

Florida towhees have the pale eye!

I saw about 6 of these birds flitting around.

They were a family of Towhees!

I named this one Scruffy!

We found a lot of these trails by going on the internet and searching and a few we found using google maps. 

I hope you can find places close to your home to get out in nature. It's fun to do the research online!

 It's a great time of the year to get outside.

Is it good hiking weather where you live too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Baby Blues and Petite Yellows, the birds are back!

 I've been hiking the Florida trails from the 49th Avenue Trailhead a lot this summer because it has tall trees that shade the trails. 

Eastern Bluebird juvenile

And I've seen lots of wildlife and some birds.

But on Wednesday, I hit the jackpot!

In one area there were birds fluttering from tree to tree (and one on the trail in front of me).

I didn't get good photos of everything I saw but I saw a nice flock of young Eastern Bluebirds.

I think this is one too but it sure is hidden against the bark of the tree!

The Warblers were back.

These are probably Pine Warblers but there were some that didn't look like Pine Warblers.

And my photos aren't that great for ID. 

They wouldn't stand still! lol

I saw 3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers and a Pileated Woodpecker.

Pileated Woodpecker

Beautiful wildflowers and butterflies all through the forest.

Beautyberry Lane

It was hot but I managed to get a full hike in and take lots of photos to share. 

Has it cooled off at your house? Or in your forest?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

The Unexpected!

I love living an interesting life and having lots of neat experiences along the way.

I always tell everyone to get out there, especially in the parks and nature trails to see what they can see. (use your imagination!)

Even on the days I don't see much....

I see lots of beautiful sights and meet interesting people.

These 2 men were 'serious' hikers from St. Pete, hiking a section of the Florida Trails and staying overnight in one of the primitive campsites. I enjoyed meeting them and hearing about their adventures.

And when I get home, it's fun to look at my photos and see what I've captured.

I had no idea what I was looking at when I saw this on the side of the trail.

A cluster of leaves? A big yellow butterfly?

It turned out to be a Warbler hanging upside down on a weed. 

Of course when I stepped forward to get a better view, it flew!

 

Now that the weather is so nice (70 degrees for a high yesterday), I can hike in the afternoons again.

 

Which leaves the mornings to do 'needful' things like shopping at Walmart!

And look who I found in the produce aisle of Walmart! My blog buddy Barbara from Sweet Tea and Sandals. She lives in the same town and we have plans to meet soon but why not grab a few smiles and hugs at Walmart! She is just as cute as can be and has a blog that is filled with interesting things and inspiration too! Visit her HERE!

Fill your day with beautiful things and maybe some unexpected treats will come your way!

Did you use your imagination?

 

Have you had a good week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

 

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

 

 

Flocks of Pine Warblers

The weather has been perfect for hiking and I would go every day.....if I could!

There are flocks of Pine Warblers all through the forest and even in our front yard.

I'm sharing a few of my favorite photos from this week.

And cropping them to see up close.

It's supposed to get a little cooler so we'll see what other birds fly through this weekend.

What's the weather like at your house?

Our highs or in the 70s with a nice breeze that makes if feel even cooler.

And with the dampness there are lots of mushrooms and pretty wildflowers in the forest.

We don't pick them but it's fun to come home and do a search to learn more about them.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

 

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.