Butterfly Brambles at Shangri-La!

 I found a little side trail at the Shangri-La trailhead where there are branches piled up with vines growing up through them. I saw butterflies there a few months ago so I went back a few days ago to see what it looked like now.

Orange Sulphur Butterfly

There were yellow wildflowers blooming everywhere with butterflies fluttering.

So I named it Butterfly Brambles.

Painted Lady butterfly that I spotted there in December.

I was hoping to see the Painted Lady again but I didn't see one today. I did see several others though!

Gulf Fritillary

Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Longtailed Skipper

I walked another direction to try to get closer to a huge Wild Plum tree in full bloom.

It was beautiful!

You could smell the sweet scent from the trail!

This was another tree blooming.

Lyreleaf Sage

And more wildflowers.

I wish I could drive over there every day! It's only 4 miles from my house so it's tempting!

Have you seen wildflowers in bloom this week? 

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

I love maps! 'Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway'

 

I've always loved maps. I'm not the best at following them but they have always intrigued me. 

And now they are a great tool for planning a hike!

A few years ago a sweet couple that volunteered for the Cross Florida Greenway gave me a set of maps. We used to see them on the ATV with the blower attachment that cleaned off the paved trail. And then the last time I saw her, she told me her beloved Kenny had passed away.

Now we can walk past the bench dedicated to Kenny with fond memories. 

We hike from several different trailheads when we hike what I usually call  the 'Florida Trails'.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon when we started our hike at the 49th Ave Trailhead.

And it was too nice to stay on the pavement so off into the woods we went.

Lots of neat things to see like this Fence Lizard.

And the wild plum is blooming all through the forest!

Lots of green year round here.

Lots of palmetto palm and ferns in this area!

And a view from the trail.

Several people have poured over these maps to look at the trails close by but I can't be talked out of them! 

I love pouring over maps. Do you?

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !