'Forest to River' at O'Leno State Forest (a funny story)!

 Grab your walking stick and let's take a hike!

Even in December we enjoy colorful leaves in the forest here in the South.

This story begins deep in the forest.

 

I hiked to the youth camp first.

This is NOT where we camped! Don't worry we did NOT have outdoor showers! HA!

 

But I took a few pics of the beautiful forest and then made a turn.

I looked at my watch and I had been hiking for 45 minutes so I knew it was time to turn around.

And here's where the funny story begins. I came to a 'T' in the trail and when I looked to the left, I saw someone walking my way. A forest ranger on foot, deep in the forest.

We talked about all the wildlife in this forest. I was seeing lots of deer tracks and small animal tracks. He asked me where I had started my hike. So I said, I left the campground and walked to the Youth Camping area and then turned right down another trail and I was planning to turn around. He said you are not far from the river now and another group camping area. So I said, Oh great! I'll keep going. Well...for someone in their 30s, it wasn't very far. But for someone "my age" it turned out to be a 'fur piece'. Haha! 

 

I did get down to the river and I did make it back to camp but it ended up being about a 2 hour hike (which is about my limit these days). 

So that's the funny story.

An old raggedy hornet's nest.

A white feather.

 I saw some beautiful sights along the way!

Some gorgeous trees,

a monster or two!

And the Santa Fe River.

Happy Hiking!

We are praying for everyone suffering in the horrific fires in California and for those freezing in this winter storm. We still keep those affected by the hurricanes in our prayers, too. Take care and be kind. Everyone faces challenges in this life and everyone needs a kind word and a prayer.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

Oh Deer! The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

 

I don't know why but we have been seeing deer on most of our hikes this week.

Some of our hikes are in the morning and others in the afternoon and we are taking different trails.

But it's a joy to see them.

These are along the Marjorie Carr Cross Florida Greenway so there is no hunting.

They get used to people hiking and bikes riding too.

I get a thrill spotting them in the forest.

I love this young buck.

He has the smallest rack of antlers!

What a beautiful animal!

And we are seeing Eastern Bluebirds every day.

This one was joined by a friend.

The Bluebird didn't budge when a Warbler flew in.

And they seemed content to share this old snag.

It's been perfect hiking weather this week. 

How's the weather at your house?

For those concerned please click on the link HERE to read the facebook page started by the Greenway Guardians. Duke Energy is proposing a project to build high voltage power lines through the Greenway. As you can imagine this would be disastrous to wildlife, birds and their habitat. Thanks to those fighting to preserve the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

November in Mosaics (updated at the end)

 It's been an exceptionally good month to hike and we've gotten out every chance we could.

I've taken so many photos that I thought I would do a post with 'November in mosaics'!

These are a few of the leftovers.

Warbler and water lily

Kestrel

Bench at the top

Birds and squirrel

Wildflowers

Bare trees at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

Golf course behind our house and our Camellia bush in full bloom.

Interesting clouds

I hope it's been a good month for you too. It's not like Novembers in the past. Times change and we are constantly changing along with it. Look around and see what makes you happy and do more of that!

After I wrote this post, I had a call to tell me my mother had passed away. I wanted to share my favorite photo of my parents. My mother is pregnant with me and they were teenagers in this photo. (My mother turned 20 just before I was born.) I think they look very happy here. 

So the month has ended on a sad note. I would appreciate your prayers. They are both gone now and I feel incredibly sad. I know you've all suffered losses and understand. 

Thanks for your friendship always, Diane

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

The Colors of Autumn

 We have 'Fall colors' here in Florida but they may not be typical of our neighbors to the North.

Fall brings colorful flowers that rival the Spring wildflowers.

We even found one that was new to us this week walking on the Florida Trails from parking on hwy 484. I actually got off the trail to take the photos and got into some thorns. So I drew blood to take this photo! lol

But it's a beautiful time of year. Our temps are milder and the humidity is a lot lower.

We are hiking just about every other day! I wish I had the energy to go every day!

Purple is throughout the forest right now....

with splashes of yellow! 

Coralbean

Red berries

Virginia Creeper

Cypress trees

Maple leaves

I hope you've enjoyed our Autumn colors.

I'm not sure my Mosaic Monday buddies got to see my fairy forest post HERE! 

It was magical!

Have a beautiful week!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

I'm not THAT tough!

 

I'm braver than I used to be. I've learned that I can get out in the forest and feel very comfortable in nature. I am still alert when I get off the beaten track but I feel excited too. You just never know what you'll see when you go deep in the woods...

be quiet...go slow....follow me.

Use your imagination! 

Forest creatures!

So would I throw a sleeping bag on the ground and sleep at this primitive campsite?

Nooooooo!!!

I walked outside into my courtyard last night to listen to two Great Horned Owls calling each other. I know there would be all kinds of interesting sounds in the woods. I've hiked and backpacked and camped when I was younger. My boys grew up loving time spent in the forest.

But I like walking in the woods and then going home to shower, have lunch and look at the photos I've taken on my hike. I'm spoiled to all of my creature comforts.

And then too....what if a wild animal peeked out from behind a tree while I was camping?

Gray Squirrel

It could happen!!!

Do you love the outdoors as much as I do?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

and I like Thursdays HERE !