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 !  

Florida Scrub-Jays lead the way!

 We finished out the year with Hike #163! And it was actually a trail we had never been on before. We named it Scrub-Jay Way!

 Florida Scrub-Jay

Do you think I could park any closer to the forest? lol

Through the back opening (near 49th Ave trailhead) and into the scrub.

We saw a few at the beginning of the trail but then saw a dozen or more in the back loop.

It was amazing to see so many flying from tree to tree and not overly concerned about us standing there taking photos!

Very cool to see the bands on their legs. (Phil!!!)

This orange band really stands out!

Walk this way!

You can see how tall the scrub is and it's the perfect habitat for these Florida Scrub-Jays that are endemic to Florida. There aren't many populations left here either. They are on the endangered list.

The other surprise was the Rufous-sided Towhees.

 

We hear them on just about every hike but they are elusive and stay hidden.

These were interacting with the Scrub-Jays.

We saw a few Flycatchers and some Warblers too but the Scrub-Jays were the best sighting and a perfect way to end the year.

Maybe I should take driving lessons this year! hahahahaha!!!

(NO trees were injured in the parking of this vehicle!)

I hope this New Year brings us all good health and prosperity 

and some time in nature to soothe the soul. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Let's drive over to the recycle center!

 I know that doesn't sound exciting but our recycle center actually borders Ross Prairie State Forest so it's a good place to see birds and wildlife (and to recycle! lol).

The wild turkeys were fun to watch!

I think we scared them and scattered the flock. 

They were strutting and trotting on both sides of the car.

And then we made a loop to get back home and stopped at 3 more trailheads!

Shangri-la is a trail we have to save for cooler days. The trail goes into the dense forest and is perfect for a cool windy day. After you climb a steep hill, you drop back down into the canal diggings and you don't get any wind or even a breeze down there. There's also a little issue with poison ivy on the trail. But we'll be there when the weather changes! I can't wait!

We pulled into the 49th Ave trailhead and looked around too. And then drove around to another entrance that doesn't have parking. 

We were fortunate to see Florida Scrub jays, a female Cardinal and a Rufous-sided Towhee singing his heart out. We saw lots of animal tracks on the soft sand too. But it was too hot to do a regular hike. We were just scouting around!

So that was our exciting trip to the recycle center! We saw White Ibis in our backyard before we left too. Summer time is a great time to be in Florida! And recycling is always a good idea!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

A Walk in the Woods

 

With the heat and humidity, I've been sticking to the paved trails that have some shade.

But I wandered into the big woods to watch this Mama Deer and Fawn.

They were not very nervous about my presence over on the primitive trail.

So I just kept walking slowly and stopping when they did to take photos.

The little one was just like a 'kid'. The Mama would get a little ahead and then it would take off to catch up!

And then the little one crossed the trail in front of me.

It looked back to see who might follow.

And the Mama came out onto the trail and just stood there giving me a stare!

She was cautioning me not to follow.

So I stayed still and let them go off into another part of the woods.

I felt so privileged to get to watch them.

And I walked until this trail came back onto the paved trail.

Of course I saw some birds along the way too. The Rufous-Sided Towhee sang and sang. The Dove looked like he had been fluffing his feathers and the Kestrel was preening.

These were taken on the Florida Trails (49th Ave Trailhead) on a hot and humid morning this week. Over 100 hikes this year so far! 

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’.