28 Turtles and Counting!

 No, we didn't stop to count the turtles as we hiked Blue Run Park trail. We counted the ones we saw in our photos when we got home.

So what were they trying to tell us?

Were they there to warn us of impending danger?

Are were they watching us and laughing behind our back!

Because when we got to the bridge looking out at the Withlacoochee River, we were admiring the view...

Standing looking out at the water...

Watching some boats go by...

la la la la la!

And hubby said that dark cloud on the horizon looks threatening!

So we turned around and headed back to the Jeep. Did we make it all the way back before it rained? NO!

The wind blew and the 'bottom fell out'! And we got drenched! We were still 1 mile from the Jeep when it started to 'pour the rain'! But at least we didn't hear thunder or see lightening. And we had zip lock bags for our cameras. So it turned out to be an adventure story to tell. (and it was in the 70s so it wasn't a cold rain)

And it was a good day for ducks!

Wood ducks in the swamp.

Living it up!

And all's well that ends well!

Enjoy your week! Stay warm and dry!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

The Painted Lady butterfly

I still marvel that I can get out in nature and see something I've never seen before. I took a sandwich to Shangri-La campground to have a little picnic one day and see what the day would hold.

Painted Lady Butterfly

Isn't the underside of this butterfly amazing?

After I ate I went on a little hike. And I turned down a trail that I had never been on before. There was a pile of limbs and wildflowers had grown up around them. It wasn't very easy to get photos.

But the wildflowers were attracting lots of butterflies and moths. 

Gulf Fritillary

And I had never seen the Painted Lady butterfly before so that was something to celebrate!

Lots of little Warblers in the forest now.

And isn't this little Sparrow precious?

I love the small birds we see here in Florida.

A mosaic to share.

We still have roses blooming so I made myself a pretty arrangement.

Enjoy your week and spend time in nature whenever you can. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

It's December! YAY!

 

I'm very glad to turn a page in the calendar this month. November was incredibly hard for me. But I am blessed and want to share some photos from recent hikes.

A beautiful quote! 

Bella Moth

Bella Moth

No....I am NOT a chicken!!!

Palm Warblers

What's left of some of the wildflowers!

Downy Woodpeckers

A fancy figurine?

Or a knot on a log! Use your imagination to make it something beautiful!

We all go through hard times but it sure is nice to know there are always interesting blog posts to read and blog friends that go out of their way to be supportive throughout the year...in good times and bad. I am going to use this space for a personal note today. For the blog friends that I usually exchange Christmas cards with, just hang on to those cards until next year. I'm not going to send out cards this month. It just seems like too hard a task to tackle right now. I know you'll understand. (or you can read my last post HERE) 

I'm going to concentrate on spending time in nature and giving in other ways. 

Let's spread Goodwill all month long!

 And get out in nature whenever we can!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

November in Mosaics (updated at the end)

 It's been an exceptionally good month to hike and we've gotten out every chance we could.

I've taken so many photos that I thought I would do a post with 'November in mosaics'!

These are a few of the leftovers.

Warbler and water lily

Kestrel

Bench at the top

Birds and squirrel

Wildflowers

Bare trees at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

Golf course behind our house and our Camellia bush in full bloom.

Interesting clouds

I hope it's been a good month for you too. It's not like Novembers in the past. Times change and we are constantly changing along with it. Look around and see what makes you happy and do more of that!

After I wrote this post, I had a call to tell me my mother had passed away. I wanted to share my favorite photo of my parents. My mother is pregnant with me and they were teenagers in this photo. (My mother turned 20 just before I was born.) I think they look very happy here. 

So the month has ended on a sad note. I would appreciate your prayers. They are both gone now and I feel incredibly sad. I know you've all suffered losses and understand. 

Thanks for your friendship always, Diane

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

The Bluebirds are back!

 Sometimes I get out in nature and laugh out loud at what I see!

And that's what happened when we got to the trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

A pretty bluebird was peering over the trail sign.

And then another one flew in and told him it was safe to come out.

They both looked pretty regal on the posts of the sign.

And I had a good laugh!

Eastern Bluebird

They were also on the Florida Trails when I hiked the section between hwy 484 and State Rd 200. 

I watched about 30 Bluebirds at the top of Bluebird of Happiness Hill and then before I left, another flock joined them.

They were beautiful and I smiled when I turned around to head back to the Jeep.

I hope everyone in the US enjoys a blessed Thanksgiving day.

Get out and enjoy nature when you can. You'll smile and maybe even laugh at the unexpected things you see!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !