A Colorful Hike (with some colorful danger on the trail)

 I headed over to the Shangri-la trailhead for a short hike. It was threatening rain so I knew I could park close to the trailhead and get back before I got wet.

Well, the weather improved and I ended up hiking for about 1 1/2 hours which is ideal for me.

What drew me into the forest were the wildflowers.

The Showy Rattlebox was in full bloom.

There were fields of these bright yellow flowers as far as the eye could see.

I've never seen so many at one place!

Close up of the flower.

One more looking out into the forest!

A bright red Cardinal eating Sumac berries.

(if you look closely you can see that he has lost a berry!)

It wasn't hot and the walking was easy.

So I went a little farther down this trail than I had been before.

I finally had to make myself turn around and head back to the trailhead.

And just when I made my turn, I ran into this danger.

Eastern Coral Snake

This Coral snake has the second strongest venom of any snake (Black Mamba has the most), so it is a bad snake to encounter on the trail. I gave it a wide berth and it turned and slithered off into the forest. 

It gave me quite a start when I spotted it and I'm glad it was in the open enough that I could see it from a distance.

So that's some of the Fall color in Florida!

Some good....some not so good!

Do you have pretty Fall colors at your house?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

What green eyes you have, Robber Fly!

 

I saw something fly in to the grasses next to the trail and stopped to take pics.

It appears to be a Green-Eyed Robber Fly also know as a bee killer. More info HERE! 

And it definitely has some type of wasp as it's prey.

Do you see how it is hanging onto the blade of grass above it?

Astonishing!

It was very small but the orange color and green eyes really stood out!

And do you see the large grasshopper in the grasses ahead?

American Grasshopper

He really blends in to this tree too.

And this caterpillar stands out on the trail.

Don't step on him, Honey! 

The Warblers are back on the Florida Trails.

Flocks of Pine Warblers and Palm Warblers were darting back and forth and even landing on the trail in front of us.

And isn't this a neat photo of a Red Shouldered Hawk that hubby took! 

Thanks hubby! Sharp eyes!

Showy Rattlebox

It's been perfect weather for hiking and birding this week! Are you getting outside some too?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Wildflowers and Butterflies!

We've had a very hot summer but enough rain to make the wildflowers prolific in the forest!

And with wildflowers, come butterflies!

I think this is the prettiest Long-tailed Skipper I've ever seen!

 They are not that big but have such an unusual color!

The yellow flowers in this mosaic are Showy Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis).

This is a Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly.

The flower he was on is the Blazing Star. 

The white flower in the mosaic is Dotted Horsemint. Can you see how the stem of the flower goes through the center of each bloom?

This pretty little lavender flower is a Blue Pea and they have been blooming all summer. 

 I won't try to id everything in this mosaic (I'm still learning!) but the solid black butterfly sure was gorgeous!

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .