"Happy New Year" How about a HIKE?

 

Well, what did you expect from me for the new year! I can hardly WAIT to get in that first hike!

I used my 'time off' from blogging (and the computer) to make some longer hikes and take a few days trips. Our goal for this year was 150 hikes.....and we beat it by a few! 

157 HIKES for the year 2021!!!

I know not everyone can get out and hike but I hope you can find a way to enjoy nature in the year to come. Packing a picnic lunch or a snack to enjoy at a park or on an old logging road can be enough!

A few 'highlights' from the past two weeks has to include this rare sighting. 

We know there are lots of wild boars out on the Florida trails but we rarely see them.

We were on the back side of the loop at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve when we saw what we think are Papa Hog, Mama Hog and baby hog!

Of course the baby was the cutest! 

And they were far enough away that we didn't get scared. (I didn't get scared!!! lol)

But just as soon as we lowered our cameras we watched in amazement as about 7 or 8 more ran across, lickety split! No photos of them of course! But they were something to see! And we walked up to their crossing to see all the hoof prints.

I'll round this out with a beautiful Northern Harrier that we saw that day....

and wish you a healthy and happy year to come.

I loved this quote even though I don't hike 'mountains' here in Florida! But maybe it just goes to prove that you don't even need a mountain or heavy boots or even walking sticks. Plan a hike....take a drive...get out in nature and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

A Colorful Week in March

 

The wildflowers are bright and colorful growing along the highways here in North Central Florida right now.

I think most of the fuchsia pink is Phlox!

And I know the red is Dockweed!

There are other wildflowers popping up in the woods and pretty sights every time we hike.

They make pretty mosaics I think!

We've gone on some of our usual hiking trails but also a few we rarely hike.

Several of you are afraid we'll see an alligator up close and personal. But I would be more afraid to see a Wild Hog. (we've seen a few at a distance over the years) This week we HEARD the squeal of a Banshee...probably a wild hog. I picked up my pace and set a record time for getting back to the car! hahaha!

Anything 'wild' to report in your comings and goings this week?

Have a WILD colorful week!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,

AND my Monday post HERE.

How about a trip to the 'hog waller'?

You don't have to be Southern to walk with me to the hog waller! And I'll tell you why....there weren't any wild hogs there so we can relax and enjoy the trip! And if you want to call it a 'wallow' I won't hold it against you. I looked up the definition of hog wallow, "The shallow depression denuded of vegetation and potentially muddy, created by the wallowing of hogs." Sounds a lot like a hog waller! hahahaha!

The first time we hiked this side trail we found a mud bog with hog prints and hog 'wallers' so that's what we named it.

Most of the time, you can't get down this trail because the grass is grown up or the sand is too soft to walk on. But it was perfect a few days ago.

Imagine our surprise to see such a pretty sight! 

It looked more like a tropical garden that a hog waller.

A few more sights along the way!

Isn't this the most perfect tree you've ever seen?

And I love this big ole bumble bee!

Have you seen anything out of the ordinary this week, or that has surprised you?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .