I "spotted" Bambi!

 

I finally got out on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway this week and hiked from the 49th Ave trailhead.

Zebra Longwing Butterfly

I took the heat advisory warning seriously and stayed inside quite a bit so it felt great to be out on the open trails!

It was around 80 with just a hint of a breeze so it wasn't bad and I remembered why I love the Greenway.

Beautyberry

Of course we can't stay on the paved trail!

Beautyberry Lane

Let's get out in the woods and HIKE!

I saw 3 deer and one was a young one that still had it's spots. That was a thrill.

With all the afternoon showers we had, there were mushrooms growing all through the woods.

Lots of wildflowers and butterflied flitting everywhere.

And I got to say hello to some of my bicycle friends! A group of them were near the trailhead when I finished my hike.

My time indoors has been well spent. I threw myself into some projects around the house and feel so great about all that I've accomplished. But I probably should have taken a blog break because I didn't spend time on my computer. I'm behind visiting everyone. It was enjoyable to read blogs in the evening when I was too tired to do anything else. But I haven't commented so I will catch up soon.

I also want to mention the passing of our dear friend, Vee from A Haven for Vee. She was a blog friend from the beginning and we shared a lot of good times and bad. I'm going to miss her. She always teased me that an alligator was going to walk through my front yard when I went outside. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Butterfly weed

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

"Batten down the hatches!"

 Our plans to take some fun day trips were put on hold. Hubby did get a lot of his garage clean out done, just in time!

We are strapping things down outside today and cooking some yummy food to eat as leftovers.

Lots of water stored, extra food and supplies on hand just in case.

Zebra Longwing - the state butterfly of Florida

Our prayers are for those on the coast of Florida. We are in Ocala for those keeping up with the track of Hurricane Ian. Please keep us in your prayers too and when this is over, I'll give you an update.

I hiked on Monday at the 49th Ave Trailhead....hike #120! I'll be anxious to get back out after this blows through! I'll miss my regulars that walk and bike the Florida trails! 

Take care and be safe!

Sweet hugs, Diane

What do these have in common?

 Coral Honeysuckle, Shrub Verbena and Wild Poinsettia

Zebra Longwing Butterfly on Verbena

So what do they have in common? 

They are all on the same page of my The Nature of Florida ID book AND we saw all three of them on our hike on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail this week. 

I had the book out to make sure I had the proper ID for the Wild Poinsettia. It still amazes me that after all our hikes here in Florida that we can see something we've never seen before.

Wild Poinsettia

It's not a rare wildflower but it has eluded us all these years. 

Shrub Verbena

We had a great hike and for awhile we thought we were all alone in the world. We only saw a few people on this beautiful trail and we stayed there for lunch and more hiking in the afternoon.

Coral Honeysuckle

I had mentioned that I would love to see a Manatee and we did!

And while we were eating lunch a Dolphin swam by. It just doesn't get any better than that. (I handed my sandwich to hubby, grabbed my camera and ran to the bank of the canal to watch him glide through the water but I didn't get a good pic of the Dolphin! )

Here are some of our other sightings.

Great Blue Heron

Willet

Little Blue Heron (juvenile)

Little Blue Heron (breeding colors)

Bald Eagle

Gulf of Mexico

We are having such beautiful weather that I am out on the trails more than at my computer. But I'll catch up soon. After all....it will get HOT before we know it here in Florida!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

End of the month Leftovers?

We take SO many photos that I never post! 

So these are all taken on my birthday.

I told you I could make a month of posts just about my birthday! Can you spot my pink cap in the first two?

And we'll hurry right through them.

I mean I have another birthday just around the corner, right?

 They do seem to come along pretty regular! lol

This one needs a little 'splaining'!

 

At the top is a restaurant, I think.

Bottom left, would you rather take the birding trail with me?

Bottom right, or the 'watch out for alligators' trail with hubby?

Center, we didn't catch this young man in action (in a photo) but he was practicing his rope tricks. At the trailhead with a lasso flying through the air....really! 

We still had lots of wildflowers blooming and butterflies fluttering on this fine January day. We've had a freeze since then so that may have finished some of the blooms.

Hubby got Bubba's BBQ for my special birthday meal. We got a sample platter with all kinds of goodies. I loved the BBQ brisket best! If you are local, I highly recommend this place in Dunnellon! We'll be back!!!

I don't actually eat the sauce but hubby liked them. 

I got some pretty birthday cards this year. Hubby gave me THREE so he gets the most credit. 

I got some pretty ones from friends and family too!

He ordered these pop up cards from a wonderful Etsy shop HERE! If you need a card to send to someone and can't get out to shop, order one from her. She'll send it anywhere and even add a personal message. They are the cutest cards ever! Thanks hubby! And thanks to everyone that was thoughtful to send me a special card this year. 

I had a HUGELY Happy Birthday! 

Thanks everyone for making this one extra special!

And we had TWO days of winter weather this month! hahaha! But do you see what I see? Look under the 25!!!

0% chance of snow? Well, I should HOPE so!!!

Enjoy your day! Stay warm! 🌴

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

One more linky party HERE!