"The Rainbow River"

Do you think this view would be worth getting 'off the beaten path'?

Oh my! It certainly was!

We are always friendly when we walk at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon and one day one of the employees of the Rainbow River Club invited us to walk into the restricted 'club' area.

So do you want to brave the wildlife to walk down the boardwalk? 

We had no idea what was ahead!

 But off we went!

 

Oh my the Rainbow River is beautiful!

We saw several birds from this observation deck. 

Our favorite was the Limpkin.

We haven't seen him lately so this was a nice sighting.

And speaking of wildlife....we had quite a surprise when we got back on the regular paved trail. (see more on the video tab above)

This small alligator was right next to the trail. I JUMPED out of my skin when I saw it! I know a lot of people think ....it's Florida and we see alligators all the time. But the only place we ever see them are in the swamps at different parks and preserves. Not right next to the trail. And we are still chuckling about a young lady that came along the same time we did. She said, "How do you think it got out?" Let's see....how do you answer that one? The river was on one side of us and the swamp on the other. I don't think I answered her. I think I just looked around and then she did too!

Well, that's the excitement of hike #51! I'm never going to catch up with my pics! But we're still having FUN!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE  and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

When one thing leads to another...

...don't you love the unexpected? I had an idea to buy some odd 'cheap' frames from the old thrift store for some of my art. I thought I was putting SO much work into some of my characters, that it would be nice to frame my favorites.

 All of these are empty except for the one on top. I cleaned them all and put them in a small box and if I don't use them, I can always donate them back!

 

I never go on Saturday because I think it will be too busy but that's what I did anyway. And I walked in and went straight to the frames and found exactly what I wanted and went to the checkout with my 'haul'. (25 cents each for frames)

Oh and they had jewelry at the checkout and I picked out these pins for 25 cents each. 

And the cards were where I was standing in line and I got this bag of handmade cards...yes, 25 cents!

 (an example of those in the bag)

But when I was driving home, I passed a 'Craft Sale' sign. I mean I really drove past it. But guess what? My car turned down a side street, turned around and headed back in the other direction!!! 

Cherrywood Estates has the VERY best craft sales EVER! 

And the ladies there all recognize me too. I got hugs from several of them. There were even some of the Hospice Volunteers there shopping...more hugs!

So what did I buy? 

I bought a basket from the basket lady and got a hug.

And I splurged on these beautiful handmade Queen size pillowcases! 

I hope my sweet cousin Cindy doesn't see this post. She has told me how to make them and will surely remember that I have some pretty fabric I could use.

 But these were PERFECT! Don't you think? (I have blue sheets on my bed!)

I feel very blessed to get to shop for things I enjoy and love finding the unexpected!

Have you had something good happen to you this week too?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

Multiple Choice.... Take the test!

I've always heard this was the easiest test. So here goes. 

In the past one month....

1. I've become a talented singer and musician.

2. I've become a world famous artist.

3. I've received the 'best housekeeping' award.

4. I've become proficient at watercolor markers.

5. None of the above.

Well, I told you it would be an easy test! The answer will appear at the bottom of this post if I can remember by then to include it! lol

I'm still enjoying my hikes! If you'll remember I had to face the fact that I couldn't go EVERY day! lol I tried but I was just too tired to do all the other things I wanted to do. And of course I needed to concentrate on becoming a world famous artist before I reach the age of 70. 

 My fav so far is Piglet! I sketched him in with pencil, then went over that with a pen. I drew a 'honey' pot and some flowers. Then I decided he needed a bouquet of flowers, so I sketched, colored, cut and glued them on! The butterfly is cut out too and has a little foam sticky on the back to set it off the page.

And oh the fun I'm having with watercolors! I've even ordered a small set of 'real' watercolors and can't wait to try them out. I'm using markers and then a brush with water to spread the color. And I'm learning every day. I've always taught myself to do things over the years. I taught myself to knit and crochet and COOK! lol 

 Pooh has more color than I wanted but I'm learning! His honey pot and honey and also the bees are cut out and adhered with a little foam backed sticky.

So I'm just experimenting with the ideas that keep coming up in my head. I am sketching...which I've never done before! And then adding color. With what I'm doing, I don't think it needs to be perfect to be fun. And I like the results.

So if you guess 5. None of the above...you would be right on!

But if I could add another number it would be 

6. I'm having FUN! And that would sum it up for the whole year.

Have you been doing any kind of arts and crafts? It keeps life interesting! 

 A. Now where's that mop and broom! 

OR 

B. What's on the 'drawing board' now? 

 

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Amaze me Monday HERE. 

 

The Black-crowned night heron

This was such a beautiful bird that I wanted to include ALL the photos 'we' took! 

It was across the Rainbow river from us so I have to give hubby the credit for most of these photos.

And it was preening...

and fluffing....

 and maybe even feeling a little grumpy 

but giving us so many beautiful poses.

Just a little idea too of how the seasons change in this part of North Central Florida.

Taken in January 

Taken again in March

These are taken from the bridge at the Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.

 Taken in January 

Taken in March

You can see that many of the trees here are deciduous. 

 One more Black-crowned night heron and we'll call it a wrap!

 Enjoy your weekend! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

 
and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

A few Forgotten Pics

I love taking hikes! 

 And I really enjoy working on the photos when I get home. 

But there are always a few photos that get overlooked when I write a post.

We've have so many wildflowers right now and lots of butterflies.

There are SO many big grasshoppers and dragonflies that they run into you when you're walking! 

A leaf hopper!

He's teeny tiny!

Every color dragonfly!

A pretty Cardinal.

And a Sandhill Crane!

Just a few things to be thankful for this week! Are you having pretty weather now too?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays 
and Cooking and Crafting with J&J HERE.

Springtime at Sholom Park

Sholom Park is beautiful at any time of year.

Hubby and I had some errands we needed to run together and on the loop around town, he surprised me by pulling into Sholom Park.

 It was nice and cool so we took a quick walk around the gardens.

I had thrown my 'baby' camera in my bag so all of these photos are taken with a NIKON Coolpix P310. It's a small camera that fits in the palm of your hand and takes some of the best close ups.

The breeze was blowing my hair in the right direction for a change! I had hiking shoes on but you may not recognize me without my pink cap! lol 

And hubby looked handsome in a lavender colored shirt. And a 'matching' hat? heehee!

They are always planting more plants and adding flower beds. Not sure what this tall shrub was...reminds me of the flame Azalea that blooms in early Spring in NC.

Lots of Camellia flowers still blooming too.

We saw Swallowtail Kites but I plan to go back to take pics of them. They nest at Sholom Park every year in the same area so it's nice to see them back again.

Have you had a chance to get outside this week? And do you really think sandals would look better with capris than hiking shoes? hahaha!

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE   

and Cooking and Crafting with J&J HERE.