The trails of summer!

 It's very beautiful here in Florida during the summer months.

We get pop up showers (usually in the late afternoon) that keeps the grass watered and allows the flowers to flourish.

Let's take a break under this big old Live Oak Tree!

I saw the Blue Grosbeak again this week.

His silver beak really glows in the sun!

Black Swallowtail butterfly

Neat looking clouds!

A curious deer in the trees. There were 3 of them!

I'm trying to drive out to Pruitt once a week to hike on the wide open grassy trails of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

I saw 3 Hawks and this photo is not particularly good. He's in flight in the lower part of the photo.

But look at the top corner....another hawk or a web? 

And I can see birds and wildlife every time I visit. Two vultures flew up into the limbs of this tree when I walked by and gave me a 'start'! 

I usually hike for an hour or so depending on what I see and how many photos I 'need' to take.

The sign at the trailhead had a Red-shouldered Hawk on the post when I finished my hike.

He was a real beauty! 

I drink lots of water and have apple slices and an oatmeal cookie (Keto recipe) for a snack when I'm finished.

And I feel so much better after spending time in nature!

What is your favorite snack after a walk or work out?

Happy weekend! 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

It's hiking and birding weather!

 It's still 'warm' but there is less humidity and more of a breeze and we are hitting the trails as often as we can. 

We're trying to pace ourselves!

And maybe we do walk a bit slow!

But REALLY!!! How RUDE!!! hahaha!!!

(I took the photo of the 2 vultures perched in the top of an old snag...the dead tree...overlooking the trail. No hikers were harmed in the making of this hike and I don't think the vultures were either! lol)

Lots of pretty wildflowers blooming this week.

And the birds are becoming more varied and plentiful.

We saw this bird in the woods and it looked like a Great Blue Heron from a distance.

But it was a Eastern Bluebird.

There were a pair of them eating the Winged Sumac and flying across the trail in front of us.

Has the weather been nice at your house this week? Fall is in the air!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.   

"Happiness"

I talked about good mental health in my last post. And I appreciate the positive comments so many of you left! I consider myself a very happy person. I know I'm blessed and I have a positive outlook on life. That of course does not mean I am immune to problems. But I'll focus on 'happiness' today!

Let's walk up the hill and see what we see on Bluebird of Happiness Hill on the Florida trails.

A juvenile on the same hike. 

 I've been seeing so many juveniles this summer and this Eastern Bluebird acts like a juvenile but look at his color!

And I didn't even notice the female when I took this photo. The bright blue stood out so much.

 I am still seeing lots of Red-headed Woodpeckers in this same area.

They sure are beautiful to see.

But if you want something to worry about! 

Maybe we should be concerned about swallowing this big seed WHOLE! heehee!

And then around the bend, this other bird was perched overhead.

Always something to worry about! 

Hope your weekend is filled with happiness!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

     and I’d Rather B Birdin’.