Dotted Horsemint and Horses

 

Dotted Horsemint is in full bloom right now.

It's not only beautiful, it's smells amazing!

You can see why it's called 'dotted' when you look closely.

This is what a big stand of it looks like!

So does that have anything to do with horses? 

I did a search and the only reference I saw was the fact that it has an aromatic beneficial phenol thymol and is used medicinally for horses and humans. 

I went back over some of the photos I've taken of horses at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

The preserve shares a common fence with a horse farm so it's a good place to see horses.

There are trails on the preserve for horses too.

Our wildflowers are going crazy right now.

They are everywhere in abundance along with a beautiful variety of butterflies and moths.

Our temps for every day this week...high at right around 90, low 70. The humidity is not as bad and there are nice breezes every day so I won't complain! Typical for this part of Florida in September!

Does it feel more like Fall at your house?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Halpata Tastanaki and the Florida Scrub Jays

 It's still hot and humid here in Florida but one day this week I just HAD to get out!

I thought I would drive over to Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (SR 200) and look for the Florida Scrub Jays!

And I found them not too far from the trailhead.

The one I got the most photos of was very dull in color.

I've never seen one so dull.

This is a photo of one I took a couple of months ago and it shows the pretty blue.

Well, I thought....I can at least walk down and see if there are persimmons on the fruit trees.

And there were quite a few.

Oh, I feel so good, I think I'll just walk down to where the trail splits and see what I can see.

It has rained some evenings and the sandy trail was like walking on velvet.

Look at all the animal tracks!

Wild Hog track

I felt great.

And I saw so many neat things.

It was partly cloudy and humid but I kept moving.

And the next thing I knew, I had a regular hike in.

Do you know how I know? Well.....I was hiking for over an hour and felt fine until I got home. And then I crashed! I didn't realize how out of shape I was after a hot summer in the house.

But I survived and now I can't wait to get back out there.

And there are always interesting things when you get out on the Florida trails. I met the nicest man at the trailhead. He was all set up with his ham radio. Well, that was a first and I really enjoyed talking to him. 

Thanks Chris for taking the time to tell me about your ham radio experiences!

Happy Hiking everyone!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

Hiking on a four lane hwy! Is it safe?

 It seems pretty safe on this particular highway!

I rarely see another hiker and I've managed to avoid seeing a bear.

But the blackberries are ripe and I see 'evidence' that they've eaten there!

I love walking down in the canal diggings and that's where I took the trail photos.

This one was taken after a rain shower passed through and left it a little 'less hot'.

Out in the open there are lots of wildflowers blooming.

I always see butterflies.

But on this particular hike, I watched a large hummingbird.

It was the biggest one I've ever seen and really surprised me.

I'm not hiking as much now with the heat but I get out when I can.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !

February brings signs of Spring!

 We definitely see signs of Spring in the month of February here in Florida.

I'm sure that's why so many people visit the state during this month.

I've seen more birds, wildflowers, colorful leaves and an abundance of butterflies already.

And I want to give an update on the honey bee hive at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

The bees are busy making honeycomb and it changes from week to week.

I thought in the beginning that it was a swarm and they would leave after a couple of weeks.

But they have been there for over 4 months now!

Here's the same photo taken a week apart and put together for comparison. You can see the same stick in each photo.

While I was on this particular hike, I got to watch 2 American Kestrels in all their glory!

This one was particularly cute!

Kestrel in flight

And even saw a few Eastern Meadowlarks!

They always show up in the Spring!

The weather has been beautiful allowing me to hike just about every other day for the month, which makes me very happy!

Are you seeing any signs of Spring where you live? Don't worry, it will be here before you know it! 

AHHHH Chooooo!!! lol

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Gratitude, each and every day!

 I've always known I am blessed and I live my life thankful for all of my blessings every day of my life. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving week and spend some time doing things you enjoy with someone you love. 

I'll share some photos we've taken this past week on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

There are still lots of wildflowers blooming with butterflies fluttering!

It's a wonderful time of the year to be in Florida. The weather is gorgeous!

I've seen some pretty Warblers of course!

And watched the deer on the trails.

Hubby even photographed me walking with the deer.

I was trying to get closer for better photos! 

Sending out lots of love to all of my family and friends, wishing them a week of Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for everyone that visits my blog too. You bless me when you take the time to visit my blog and leave a nice comment. It sure makes my day!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !