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 !  

Go for the GOLD!

 We don't usually go on a hike with a purpose in mind.

We just get out on the trails to enjoy nature and stretch our legs! 

But sometimes we get home with our photos and see a theme.

We saw SO many wildflowers in bloom this week.

I decided to start an identification folder on my desktop to put ID flower pics.

Since I forget what they are from year to year, this might come in handy next year! lol

There are lots of yellows colors and lavenders at this time of year.

So what was GOLD?

Oh, that's my new Mac!

I changed the throw on the back of the sofa in the lanai too to declare Fall in Florida!

It's great and I love it. Thanks hubby for the surprise gift! 

Have you seen any pretty colors in your neck of the woods this week?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.   

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

There's a section of this trail that I hike OFTEN! 

It's the closest trail to my home (3 miles away) and an easy hike.

The trail is paved so it's a popular trail for bicycling. I rarely see another hiker but I've met and talked to quite a few of the people on their bikes. They stop to ask me what I've seen. And tell me what THEY'VE seen! It makes the hike even more enjoyable.

So we're just hiking along at our own slow pace.

Stopping to see the flowers....

beautyberry

and watch a tiny Phaon Crescent.

Eastern Bluebirds

Looking up in the trees to see what birds are perched on the limb

and marveling at the beauty all around!

American Kestrel

Northern Flicker

I'm trying my best to learn to identify birds. 

Red headed Woodpecker

And I have a good Wildflower ID book now but I still have trouble now and then.

This wildflower is growing in a big clump...not quite what I would call a bush.

And there are several clumps. Now let's take a closer look.

Right now it has hundreds of small flowers.

And they are beautiful up close!

Does anyone know what it is? It's growing in sandy soil up on top of the hill. (not a wet area)

Our weather is changing so we'll be getting out on some of the other trails we have to save for cooler weather. But if I had to pick a favorite, it would be this section of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

Dotted Horsemint

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway link HERE.

What is your weather like this weekend? 

We are keeping the President and first lady in our prayers and ask God to bless them and give them a speedy recovery.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.