Halpata Tastanaki Preserve in the Van Camper

 

A Van Camper is great for a day trip to the HTP at the Pruitt Trailhead.

You have everything you need when you finish your hike. You can make a cup of coffee and enjoy a snack out of the refrigerator....oh and go to the bathroom! And sit down to eat!

We know we'll enjoy taking it on other days trips but of course Halpata Tastanaki Preserve is one of my favorite destinations and it's close to home.

These are the first American Kestrels I've seen in awhile. 

I took pics of this one and then when I started to move down the trail, it flew and so did a second one.

So I think I caught a male and female traveling together.

We might see a Kestrel from time to time during the year, but more of them are here in the winter months.

Dragonfly

Bagworm

And don't forget to look UP!

The clouds looked like feathers and I saw a little pile of real feathers too.

There are still lots of Flycatchers at the preserve.

A view of the trail and my turn around point. 

(get a drink of water and make the turn)

Time for some relaxation in the van before heading home.

Do you enjoy day trips?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Cannon Farms in Dunnellon for Sunflowers!

 

It really feels like summer when I take a trip to Cannon Farms for fresh produce and sunflowers.

So let's take the Jeep for a little trip to Dunnellon!

We've already driven past the farm on our trips to Blue Run Park and the Gulf Coast.

I like to reserve a day when I have lots of time to walk in the fields and take tons of photos.

The weather was beautiful and I packed a lunch.

So I had all day! 

I shopped for fresh produce first and put all of that in the cooler. 

Then I picked up a bag and some clippers and headed for the sunflower fields.

It really takes your breath away to be surrounded by so much beauty...and LOTS of honey bees!

I was trying to describe it to someone and I couldn't find the words to express what an amazing experience it is to be immersed in so much beauty.

So I'll just keep plugging in photos and probably do another post later with MORE photos!

I saw lots of Cattle Egrets flying over the fields.

There were goats, turkeys and chickens on the farm too!

There were Sandhill Cranes and ducks on the drive over. (no photos but nice sightings!)

Even these 'spent' blooms are beautiful in their own way!

Do you love old barns as much as I do?

I wanted to include photos of the Jeep and this was my favorite!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

Sunny Days at Cannon Farms in Dunnellon

 It was a hot sunny morning when I went to the farm last week but the flowers were in full bloom so I couldn't resist getting out in the maze!

Everyone there is so friendly and nice. Ashley offered to take me out farther to see more of the Zinnias but I wanted to spend time taking photos of the sunflowers. 

I spent most of my time in the sunflower field.

There were so many more blooms since I was there just a week ago.

It didn't feel too bad at 10 am. It was around 80 degrees with a light breeze.

I just kept on clicking and trying to remember that I had to choose a bouquet to bring home when I was finished.

I saw flocks of Cattle Egrets fly over the whole time I was there.

Ashley said that the flowers were drawing all kinds of birds and bees and bugs. 

She had seen a lot of ladybugs early in the season.

And the Monarch butterflies loved this special sunflowers. (I think they are Mexican sunflowers)

Hummingbirds were around and lots of honey bees.

I even saw a Swallow-tailed Kite while I walked around.

Being out in the flower fields gave me a chance to get better photos of the Zinnias.

They were gorgeous!

What a fun experience! 

I bought lots of fresh veggies again this week. We didn't have any go to waste last week but hubby mentioned more than once that we were eating 3 vegetables at every meal! lol This week the bonus was okra! We LOVE fried okra! And it's really worth the trip for the vine ripened tomatoes and fresh picked corn. Thanks to the owner for coming out to my Jeep with corn he had just picked and I almost missed.

Here's the sunflower I picked and brought home.

It doesn't get any better than Cannon Farms, family owned and operated! They are closed for the season now but it sure has been wonderful to spend time there! Thanks for everything Cannon Farms. See you next season!

 

Links to the farm are HERE and HERE. 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too! 

Let's drive over to Cannon Farms, the Sunflower farm!

 I look forward to this all year long! We pass the farm on the way to Blue Run Park and watch the sunflower field blossom and wait for the farm to open to the public!

This year they planted even more vegetables and have a wonderful variety of farm fresh veggies to choose from. I bought yellow squash, zucchini, acorn squash, an onion, 3 BIG ripe red tomatoes, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, bell peppers and a bouquet of sunflowers. The sum total was $17.25! I couldn't believe it! I had 2 big bags and a bouquet to put in my car. It took 2 trips!

I actually waited for the man to finish picking the corn. So I grabbed my camera and walked around taking photos. 

They have goats in a pen to feed and pet and that was popular with the little ones....oh and me too!

I got permission to take these cuties!

Everything has been delicious and so far the sweet corn and ripe tomatoes are my favs! 

I can't wait to go back and see what else comes in. I'm hungry for okra and hope they have peaches and blueberries next time. I'll probably go once a week now that everything is getting ripe. I'm going to get some watermelon chunks next time too.

What looks good to you? 

Would you walk in the sunflower maze in the heat? I wasn't quite up to that but of course I stopped at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (right next door) and hiked! lol It wasn't too hot for that!

I hope you have a beautiful week!

Links to Cannon Farms HERE and HERE! 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!