Get out there and mix it up!

 

I live in a retirement community in a comfortable home. And there are times when it would be easier to stay at home and relax. But I don't like to sit still and do nothing. I like to be active.

And I can't remember when I've had a more interesting and unusual week as this past week.

We hiked a familiar trail and saw log trucks. 

Way back on the land that constitutes the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve are some pine forests. Here's a photo of the locked gate they go through, it's not open to the public.

But we happened to be there to see 3 big trucks haul Texas Toothpicks out of the forest. (that's what we always called the tall skinny pine trees)

And then there was an early morning meeting with a very special young man.

One of my sons was passing through and I got to have breakfast with him and hug him about 100 times! 

That really made the week AMAZING!

And then I got to do a good deed. I'm not at liberty to say what I did. But I will say I didn't hesitate to do the right thing. And even though I will not know the outcome, I hope and pray someone is very thankful for the hiker in the pink cap this week. I know God blesses us when we live our lives caring for others and following the Golden Rule. 

So I have had lots of good feelings and special blessings this past week. 

Have you had a chance to let your light shine?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.  

Bees and Bugs and Birds

 

We headed out on a warm muggy morning to hike Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt trailhead.

It wasn't terribly hot and there were some clouds in the sky but the humidity was high and there wasn't the slightest bit of breeze so it felt pretty oppressive. But we have to pick and choose hiking days in the summer months. And I was SO ready to get out in nature.

This bee looked like he had enough pollen collected to head back to the hive!

And hubby took a great photo of this beautiful green dragonfly.

But then we saw that a Robber fly had captured the dragonfly.

They were very still for a few minutes and then the Robber fly flipped it over and gave us a stare down.

Doesn't it look like something from a Science Fiction movie?

We saw Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Hawks, Grackles, Ibis, Warblers and Herons.

We heard Bobwhites calling to each other all along the way and thought we saw one at a distance.

We zoomed in for the photo but it appears to be a Meadowlark. 

Possibly a juvenile Meadowlark. Another good sighting.

Halloween Pennant

It was a good hike and worth a little 'perspiration'. Hike #88!

We are supposed to be in the high 80s for the next few days. I know it's hotter in other parts of the country right now. What are your temps this weekend?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Summertime and the living is HOT!

 It's been awfully HOT to hike (even in the mornings) but I've managed a few this past week. 

And it's been a great week for sightings!

Mr. Bunny and I stopped under the same shade tree. I pulled out my water bottle to get a drink and looked over and he was watching me! 

I'm not sure what this little bird is but he was well hidden in these leaves!

Dragonfly and Swallowtail Kite

The Palmetto Palms are in full bloom and you can smell the sweet scent and hear them buzzing with bees and insects!

I call the hill at the turnaround point, Bluebird of Happiness Hill and we always see a nice variety of birds and critters.

I even heard 2 Bobwhites calling each other at the end of my hike when I stopped to pick a few blackberries. Don't pick this one! It's not RIPE yet!

Is it blackberry season where you live? 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.  

How about a Rhinoceros Beetle for a pet?

 

It's always interesting to come home after a hike and try to identify everything you saw.

I was pretty sure this was a Rhinoceros Beetle but I was surprised to find out a lot of people keep them for pets. OK...that's interesting! But I think I'll leave him to enjoy the Florida Trails! lol

I hiked the Western section of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway twice this past week and saw different birds and critters each time. It's really hot and humid to hike even in the mornings but I love it!

 

This was a neat sighting.

A Northern Flicker (yellow-shafted)

We've seen them before but the light was just perfect to show off the yellow feathers in his tail.

And doesn't he look like he's part of the tree?

I watched this Brown Thrasher fly across the trail. 

He caught a bug and then ran across the trail...I mean RAN!!!

One more neat 'bug'! This is actually a FLY!

A Robber Fly!

You just never know what you'll see when you get out on the trails. Below is a Dayflower.

Ever had a bug for a pet? I had pet turtles when I was a girl and that was fun! We bought them at the dime store! lol

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Into the Forest we'll go!

 As long as there's a little breeze and the morning temps are still in the 70s it's nice to hike deep into the forest.

And nothing feels better than stretching your legs and looking at all there is to see on a beautiful summer day.

I made a pretty tree mosaic after seeing the one my blog friend made last week. Traude's blog is HERE. 

There's always a bird to hear and a few to spot in the branches.

And lots of wildflowers and butterflies. I even picked a few blackberries on this hike to eat on top of vanilla yogurt. Southern goodness. I can close my eyes and be transported to my childhood in Arkansas with the sweet and slightly bitter taste of the berries.

At the very end of our hike we saw Tommy the tortoise. We always look for him at this burrow but today he was at the top of the hill. 

It looks like my hubby is saying, "No I think it's safe to go this way. I don't think there are any bears down there!"

He stopped and got still when some bikes came along. But he didn't completely pull into his shell.

It was the highlight of Hike #84!

We'll keep hiking as long as we can. When we finish, the house is nice and cool and after a shower, you really feel refreshed and reenergized! 

What's new in your world this week? Do you have big plans for the month of June?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.  

Withlacoochee River Weather

 Withlacoochee River Weather

Say that ten times in a row real fast! heehee!

June is in full swing here in Florida and you see lots of vehicles pulling boats on trailers, even more with kayaks and canoes on top of their cars and trucks. 

We love walking the trail along the river at Blue Run Park. 

This Black crowned night heron was easy to see through the vegetation

but hard to get good photos.

And when we got to the river bridge there were boats zipping by....

leaving ripples in the water.

And a beautiful Limpkin on a limb down in the water.

Can you see him right in the center of the photo?

It's not a bird we see very often. And it has a crazy call. You feel like you are in the jungle when you hear him.

I hope you have a chance to get outside and enjoy nature this weekend! 

It's nice to have a choice of river walk or forest hike no matter what the weather. 

Florida's a nice place to live year round and the ocean is calling my name too! SOON! 😎

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.