I would rather HIKE!

 I spent the summer complaining. I knew I shouldn't but I did it anyway. It was too hot to hike. I had a heat rash that made it miserable to even be outside. Whine...whine...whine! hahaha!

But John took me for some evening drives to my favorite trailheads.

And each and every one gave me such a great feeling. And of course we saw things every time we got out in nature. I had to be good and not wear my hiking shoes so I would not be tempted to get out of the car and hike! 

The weather is changing. I'm improving. So I am excited about this next chapter of my life.

So here's a couple of trailheads and what we saw.

Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (hwy 200) trailhead

Of course I got out just to 'look' down the trail.

And I spotted this little lizard on the fence post.

He was happy to be photographed.

Another evening we drove to Shangri La trailhead and campground.

This tree was full of bluebirds darting around like flycatchers.

But they wouldn't stand still!

So I caught a couple on the fly! 

Do you ever complain? 

Do you have trouble 'standing still'? 

I DO!

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

What does a squirrel have in common with a horse?

 

I wish I could come up with something clever but in truth all I can think of was the fact that they were both at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve on days I couldn't hike! HA! 

I've had a lot of those this summer. It's really been too hot to hike but my reason for observing wildlife from the comfort of the Jeep is a prickly heat rash. 

It's the first one I've ever had but it was stubborn.

So I've taken a few drives out to the preserve just to observe!

I actually had something exciting happen the first time I went out there in the mid afternoon. I took my coffee drink and a snack and pulled over into a shady spot to enjoy it. I had it all out in my lap when I saw movement in a tree across the way. I almost dumped everything in the floor I got so excited.

I witnessed a Fox Squirrel building a nest. It kept going out to the end of a branch to gather Spanish moss, and back down to the nest to 'feather' his nest. I didn't get any great photos but I sure enjoyed watching him.

And then on another day, John and I  drove out to the preserve to watch the horses in the field.

This one horse came out from behind the tree, walked a few steps, stopped to pose and then went on across the field. I had just enough time for a couple of photos but that's all I needed.

Thank you Mr. Horse!

Another beauty in the field!

It sure was a beautiful day for a drive 'off road' in the Jeep.

Sometimes you have to be happy with plan B. 

I think I had a plan B summer! 

Has that ever happened to you?

Love, Diane

John from John's Island wrote me a poem this morning!

A squirrel gathered moss on high,
a horse posed proudly beneath the sky;
though summer changed the plans for you,
nature made magic from Plan B, too.
Sometimes when hiking has to wait,
a Jeep-side view can still be great!

Thank you John! This has made my day! Hugs! 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Undecorating and going back in time!

Downy Woodpecker

Is undecorating even a word?

What's missing?

You know I'm going to tell you so here's what I've done so far....

the silk tree is gone, the whimsical ball hanging over the chair is missing too!

And the biggest change is the heavy comforter. I loved it but I felt the need to lighten things up so I bought a coverlet.

What do you think of going back in time?

I've never been one to dwell on the past but in recent months I've spent time reminiscing.  And you know what I've discovered? I'm still not a fan. I have a lot of good memories but I am realizing more and more that I need to compartmentalize my memories. Even thinking of happy times can make me sad.

But most of you know me well enough to know I love life and appreciate each and every day I'm blessed with. So this week, I undecorated a little and changed things up. 

And that makes me happy!

My view out the back window.

I like to look forward. I like to plan new adventures.

And I love to dream! I'm a dreamer!

Now to go back in time, I'll share some photos of this precious Downy Woodpecker that I took last August. I saw one this week but didn't get a good photo.

Do you ever feel the need to undecorate or change things up around the house?

And for those of you too polite to ask, NO I did not paint my walls green. I think it's just the lighting or reflection from the green grass outside. The walls are still BEIGE! hahaha!

Love Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

 

Sometimes I exaggerate!

 

I kid you not...I have been known to exaggerate or imagine that something is extraordinary when it is not.

But that's just the way I live life. I love to feel excited over every day things. And this is definitely NOT the ordinary sighting!

I watched the courtship dance of a male Northern Mockingbird and I was enthralled!

At first I wasn't sure what this crazy Mockingbird was doing.

But then I saw the female come into view and I knew....

I just knew, he was 'showing off'! 

And I realized I was in the right place at the right time to see something extra ordinary and I would not even have to exaggerate. 

During mating season the male mockingbird performs a courtship dance, leaping into the air while flapping their wings and singing. Can you believe it?

I love the surprises I witness in nature every time I walk down a trail.

And since I couldn't figure out which of these Red bellied Woodpecker photos I liked best, I made a mosaic out of them. 

I saw these beautiful butterfly weeds in full bloom and stopped to marvel yet again.

Have you witnessed something amazing this week? Are you like me? Do you ever exaggerate? 

I remember when I saw this bear and it got bigger in the telling....HERE. hahaha

Southern hugs, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

The Neighborhood Pond at Sunset

 This is one of my favorite times to walk to the neighborhood pond.

Mourning Dove

I'm seeing a trend on my blog lately, the word 'favorite' is showing up a lot.

It's probably because I'm experiencing my 'favorites' again after a year of hard times.

The lighting can be odd at sunset so you never know what your photos will look like until you get back home.

Downhill Ducks

Canada Goose

Goose with the broken wing

Just a few favorite pics after a walk to the pond at sunset.

Magnolia bloom in a cube effect (a fav!)

Do you have a good place to walk near your house?

Try to get out when the sun goes down and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

The Golf course Parade

 

Are you imagining a home on the golf course?

With Canada Geese parading by?

Even a poor goose with a broken wing?

I've seen Canada Geese on the golf course before but this was the first time I've seen them followed by a flock of Florida Eastern Wild Turkeys.

Pretty fancy golf course with it's own zoo!

A good day to play golf?

Maybe not!!!

I've shown Golf Cart parades before at Christmas time.

And a Golf Cart parade on the 4th of July.

But never a Golf Course parade.

Discovering the real Florida....it's WILD!

Any parades at your house this week?

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Life...which trail will you follow?

 

Many of you have followed my blog for close to 20 years now. How time flies and how much can change over the years.

 

But one thing I still cling to is my love of nature and the more 'natural' it is, the more at home I am. 

I started an evening hike at 49th Ave trailhead and was pleasantly surprised at how many people were taking advantage of a 'less hot' evening.

This is the trail I walked on.

And this is the one that 'pulled' me in. 

There are a lot of deer in this area so I was happy to see several on my hike.

This is actually the smallest Buck I have ever seen.

Don't you love his spikes!

They moved into the brush and those are my favorite photos!

They were browsing! 

I waved and took photos of this group of joggers. They were enthusiastic and I loved seeing them enjoying some time together on the Greenway.

It's still too hot to get out much but I can't resist one of those 'trails less traveled'.

Casa Viola News! 

A BIG shout out to Brent for painting my house this week and doing such a fabulous job! I enjoyed having you around and getting to know you better too! THANKS Brent!!!

What's new at your house this week? 

Stay cool, safe and calm!

Hugs, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!