An afternoon drive to the Preserve!

 

We drove past Halpata Tastanaki Preserve while running an errand. 

When we finished and made the turn around, the Jeep drove right into the gate at the Preserve.

It was impossible to drive past it twice in one day without stopping!

Great Blue Heron at a distance

We didn't even get out of the vehicle but we saw so much.

Dove

I always encourage everyone that reads my blog to get out in nature and sometimes that means taking a drive to a park or preserve. And if you can't do that, maybe you can sit outside when the weather is nice or look out the window at bird feeders when it's not. Letting your mind relax and enjoy the outdoors is what's good for you!

Great Crested Flycatcher

American Kestrel (on the drive in)

All photos taken from inside the car!

Red Shouldered Hawk

He sees US now! 

And another Kestrel on the drive out!

Time to FLY! 

And guess what? Another year has flown by and it's my birthday this weekend!

And guess what my sweet hubby gave me for my birthday! 

A Victrola record player! 

I've been playing records and dancing and he's been singing! So don't peek in the windows and get skeeeered! We both still have a few of our old 45s! 

I'm sure I'll be out on one of the Florida trails enjoying nature or at least taking a ride some place interesting.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

The Deer Whisperer!

 

I need to post every day for awhile to catch up on my hiking photos! But I'll at least try to do 2 posts a week for awhile. The weather is so gorgeous that we are getting out just about every other day! 

We spotted this Buck when we walked down a firebreak road near the Florida Trails trailhead at hwy 484.

White-Tailed Deer

I like to name the trails and I've named this one Sunshine Trail. It's nice and open and bright. And with many leaves off the trees, it's easier now to spot wildlife.

Some of my bike friends have mentioned seeing a big buck and we were so happy to get a good view of him.

But the encounter that was amazing to us was with the doe. 

She walked toward my husband.

He stayed as still as he could...

and was even taking photos of the buck while she walked by.

If I had captions it would say....

"Hey mister, did you know you're standing in the deer crossing?"

We came away exhilarated after this experience!

Nature never disappoints, does it?

Hope you can get outside and enjoy nature this week too!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !  

"Off Road" at Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve

 

We drove out to the Gulf a few days ago and walked the boardwalk at the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve.

This is only the second time we've gone to this particular trail. The first time we went, it was hot and the bugs were terrible. (they weren't biting, just buzzing all over)

It was in the 70s on this beautiful day and we only saw one other person. And this is very good!

Gray Catbird in the tree along the trail

What a beauty!

Another view...you don't often see the rufous underside!

Because as much as I would love to declare this my favorite new trail, the narrow one lane road out to the trailhead is not ideal. If you were to meet someone, you would have to back up or find a wide spot in the road to pass another car. The road is winding so you can't look ahead either. But I'm sure we'll be back again. That's the good thing about having a 4WD Jeep!

And oh the things you will see!

We considered these birds our best siting.

Greater Yellowlegs

We watched them in the pond until they moved to another spot.

And we followed the boardwalk and watched them again.

We had hiked another trail in the morning so this was right after lunch. 

Not the best time for birders but the perfect time to capture sparkles in the water!

Sparkles!

I could have stayed there all day soaking up the sun in this remote spot!

But it was time to drive home on the back roads of Florida. 

The last time we drove to the Gulf, the Pink Elephant was missing!

Now we know why!

Don't you love a little mystery? And a drive off road? And a day spent at the Gulf Coast of Mexico? 

Get out in nature no matter where you live. You'll be glad you did!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

Florida Scrub-Jays lead the way!

 We finished out the year with Hike #163! And it was actually a trail we had never been on before. We named it Scrub-Jay Way!

 Florida Scrub-Jay

Do you think I could park any closer to the forest? lol

Through the back opening (near 49th Ave trailhead) and into the scrub.

We saw a few at the beginning of the trail but then saw a dozen or more in the back loop.

It was amazing to see so many flying from tree to tree and not overly concerned about us standing there taking photos!

Very cool to see the bands on their legs. (Phil!!!)

This orange band really stands out!

Walk this way!

You can see how tall the scrub is and it's the perfect habitat for these Florida Scrub-Jays that are endemic to Florida. There aren't many populations left here either. They are on the endangered list.

The other surprise was the Rufous-sided Towhees.

 

We hear them on just about every hike but they are elusive and stay hidden.

These were interacting with the Scrub-Jays.

We saw a few Flycatchers and some Warblers too but the Scrub-Jays were the best sighting and a perfect way to end the year.

Maybe I should take driving lessons this year! hahahahaha!!!

(NO trees were injured in the parking of this vehicle!)

I hope this New Year brings us all good health and prosperity 

and some time in nature to soothe the soul. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

I'm joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and I like Thursdays HERE !