The Gopher Tortoise Trail at Reed Bingham State Park

 

Thanks every one for traveling back in time to last summer.

Photos are such a great way for us to remember our trips and good times.

I spent most of my time at the lake but I just had to walk on this trail.

And it was delightful with several birdhouses right next to the trail.

I left a gnome on one of them to delight the next hiker that came along.

Warblers

Birds on the trail

They really did NOT want to yield! haha!

Brown Thrashers...I think!

Always something to see!

The beauty that surrounds! 

Do you ever leave something on the trail when you hike? 

I see quite a lot of things but I rarely take them. Sometimes I'll pick something up and leave it somewhere else. That's a lot of fun!

Love, Diane

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

The Last Evening at Reed Bingham State Park

 

That sounds harsh....the last evening! But in my memory, it was just the last time I could stand at the lake to take photos before packing up to go home the next morning. 

And I still plan to drive up to Adel, Georgia and go to this lake again some day. 

But the trips we took last summer were the last camping trips we would take.

I don't miss camping as much as I thought I would. I still want to visit State Parks but I'll look at what accommodations are nearby and plan accordingly. 

Green Heron

Standing at the lake and watching the sun go down reminds me of camping in Arkansas when I was a girl. I always loved to walk to the lake at sundown and sit on the bank until it became pitch dark. I'm glad my parents gave me the freedom to do that when I was growing up. Memories like that stay with you for a lifetime. Just like these camping trips will stay in my memory forever.

Great Blue Heron

White Ibis

Little Blue Heron (juvenile)

Wood Stork and Great White Egret

Did you enjoy camping out when you were growing up? One of our regular summer trips was out to Little Fir on Lake Ouachita  in Mount Ida, Arkansas. Maybe I should add this spot to my list of places to visit again!

Love, Diane

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Life goes on.....'Reed Bingham State Park'

 I wrote 'Life goes on'....but somehow that seems wrong. My life has gone on but like so many of you this past year, we've lost people that we loved and our lives are forever changed. 

So even though life goes on in one sense, my life is forever changed.

I'm thankful God continues to bless me in this life so I plan to write posts in October featuring camping trips I took last year and never shared.

Reed Bingham State Park

Adel, Georgia

An early morning hike to the lake features the Wood Storks.

 

Wood Storks

I took a 'few' photos!

I'll go in order of taking them.

I can't pick a fav!!

Hanging out with a Little Blue Heron

All of these were taken in June, 2025

Good memories

I don't have any plans to camp again but I hope to visit some of my favorite State Parks in months to come. I have a list that I would love to 'revisit'. But as we all know there are new paths to explore and new trails to follow.

We need strength to step out and follow our dreams.

Do you have a list of places you would like to visit in months to come? I need to add to my list!

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Reed Bingham State Park and the Green Herons

 

We see a lot of herons here in Florida (where I go) but not many Green Herons.

So it was a thrill to see so many at Reed Bingham State Park.

The first one I saw was in the lake near where we were camped.

I got to see him every day that we were there.

But what was a special treat was on the other side of the lake.

We drove over just about every evening after dinner to see what we could see.

And I watched 2 adult Green Herons one evening.

And lo and behold, two young ones came out to greet me the next night.

The sun was low so the light isn't great.

But what a surprise to get to stand on the boardwalk and watch these little ones.

The whole family was on the edge of the water.

This is where I saw the monster gator on another trip but he was in hiding. Which was fine by me! 

A few more photos standing in that same spot and looking the other direction!

This park has the most variety of birds I've ever seen. 

And it can be very different from one side of the lake to the other.

Great Blue Heron

What types of herons do you normally see?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

"Attention to Details"

 

I like to think I'm observant but I am still surprised when I work on my photos how many 'hidden details' I've missed!

Hey, Mr. Flycatcher! 

Spit out that grasshopper and eat some of these pesky gnats and mosquitoes!

And it's going to take this Osprey a long time to build a nest at this rate!

But look how interesting those wispy feathers are along the legs of this Great Blue Heron.

And this seemed like an unusual place for a mushroom to grow.

I guess it likes more light and air!

I'm going to get a little creepy now.

I took this photo thinking I was looking at a pretty plant but when I bent down to look more closely, this Green Anole jumped. I jumped too. I don't know who jumped higher! Isn't he perfectly hidden?

This poor alligator!

He has no body!

And I wasn't even sure this was an alligator until I looked at my pics!

He's trying to look like a 'knot on a log'! 

How do you like this pretty little pond at Reed Bingham State Park?

Read the small sign at the bottom! 

These ponds are for the kids....oh and the alligators!!!

Halloween Pennant

And now to dedicate this next part of my post to my dear friend, John from John's Island HERE. 

He has written me another poem dedicated to my last post and I want to share it today.

"Beneath the pines where hoofbeats roam,

Heritage Farm feels just like home.

Log cabins stand with rustic grace,

As goats and sheep patrol the place.

The Martins dart through gnats with gless,

While trails invite both you and me.

The river calls, the forest hums

Where quite peace and beauty comes.

So here's to the cabins, hooves and leaves

To Autumn dreams and golden eves!''

This is one of the true blessings of having a blog...making blog friends along the way. I know we all feel like sharing our photos with other like minded bloggers enhances our lives. John has really surprised me with these gifts of poetry. Thank you John for your thoughtfulness.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Reed Bingham State Park in the Spring!

We've found so many wonderful State Parks this past year and now we are starting to travel back to our favorites!

When we camped here last December there were still Fall leaves on the trees which is not unusual for the South.

And even though we stayed in the same camp site, look at the difference a season change can make.

The tree that had been orange with color was just sporting it's Spring green leaves.

We arrived on a Sunday and the lake was buzzing! 

Doesn't it look like these Canada Geese are watching the boats fly by?

I spotted a Red Admiral butterfly on this first visit to the lake and didn't get good photos.

Of course I had hoped I would see it again but I never did.

I did get to see the Canada Geese every day I hiked.

And I walked by this Wisteria in full bloom every day too. The bees and butterflies love it!

It has a very sweet scent too!

The hillside was covered in small yellow flowers.

This is it up close.

We spent a week at Reed Bingham so I'll have more photos to share. (before we go again)

Spring time is a perfect time to camp! Do you have Spring flowers in bloom too?

And since the weather is still very Spring like, we are taking off on another camping trip. I'll be away from my computer for a couple of weeks but I'll have photos to share when I get back. Have a beautiful Spring! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Nature Friday HERE!