The Red-headed Woodpecker

We see so many beautiful birds here in Florida that I usually try to put several into each and every post to keep up with all the photos I take! 

But it's a busy weekend so I'm going to 'feature' the Red-headed Woodpeckers that I saw on a hike this week on the Florida trails.

I've taken 2 hikes there this past week and both have been amazing! 

I love what All about Birds said on their website HERE .

"The gorgeous Red-headed Woodpecker is so boldly patterned it’s been called a “flying checkerboard,” with an entirely crimson head, a snow-white body, and half white, half inky black wings. These birds don’t act quite like most other woodpeckers."

 I watched three of them soar around like Swallows....swooping and diving! It was amazing! I had to MAKE myself leave! I couldn't stay there ALL day, even though I wanted to! ( I stood in the bright sun so long I thought the sun would bleach my hair white...oh wait...it already IS white! ROFL)

 

 The Red-headed Woodpecker is not one we see very often here in our neck of the woods so it was a fun sighting! I hope you've been able to get out in nature this week and enjoy the sights!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

 

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

 

 

'Just Breathe'

I got up yesterday and the humidity wasn't as high as usual. It's already hot here....near 90 every day so when the humidity is low, it's perfect for a morning HIKE!!!

And this is what I found at the beginning of the trail!

It felt great to be back out in nature. 

And there was so much to see!

After the control burn earlier in the Spring, the woods have come back to life! It's amazing how fast they recover here in Florida! 

butterfly weed

And there are wildflowers galore!

Berries ripening on the vine

and even cactus blooming along the fence!

Have you had a chance to get out on a walk this week! It's good for what ails you! 

 And even with the pollen it's nice to 'just BREATHE'!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

Southern Magnolias

I drove 'next door' to Sholom Park and walked after I went to the Farmer's market last week.

Ahhh....so peaceful and beautiful!

Neat trails and lots of flowers blooming.

It was a good chance to get close up and personal with the Magnolia trees!

Aren't the blooms amazing?

So much detail in each and every one! And so fragrant!

It was a glorious Spring day! 

Do Magnolias grow where you live?

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Amaze me Monday HERE. 

Til the Cows come home...

...not at all sure what that means! I should have searched for it. What if it means something important and relevant to my post? What do you think it means?

I was on my way to the Farmer's Mkt and I took the street we call 'nature trail' because we see so much when we travel that section of road.

And I happen to see the cows all in a line...

walking up the hill....

to a fresh bale of hay that was being unloaded.

Probably not what you expect to see in Florida but Central Florida has a lot of cows! And horses!

I stopped at the library pond. We named it that because....wait for it....

it's close to the library!

And there were a pair of Osprey flying over the pond.

So beautiful! 

This is probably a common Grackle but it sure made for a pretty picture!

Lots to see around here in the Spring! 

Are you enjoying some pretty Spring weather?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE 

 

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Looking around!

Isn't it fun to look around and see how other people live?

We are blessed to live in Old Florida! Lots of natural beauty but off the beaten path.

I'm at the end of this boat ramp...you'll recognize me by the pink cap!

 

The view is amazing! 

 We can enjoy going to parks and preserves without the crowds.

It's fun to imagine living right along the Rainbow River.

I don't think I would ever get any work done inside. 

I would be sitting outside most of the time, wouldn't you?

Just a few photos from Blue Run Park in Dunnellon from hike #55. 

It sure feels like summer time here in the South! 

Are you enjoying some pretty weather this week too?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

The Freedom Library

If you've visited me over the years, you KNOW that I love public libraries! I was fortunate to have a best friend, Jeannie Carol who lived across the street and also loved to read. She was just a couple of years older so I was able to tag along with her and walk to the library, especially during the summer months. We would spread a quilt under the Silver Maples in her front yard and read to our heart's content! She helped me with any words I didn't know and we even played 'school'. I went back to school in the Fall knowing a little more than my other classmates as a result! Aahhhh! Such good memories!

 Wendy can read!

 Of course you probably knew that already! hahaha 

(I've sure had fun with her lately! Thanks for playing along!)

So what did I bring home from the library this week? I'll start by saying that I check out books online and read them on my IPAD now using a program called Overdrive. FREE from the library!

But this week was the Book Sale! 

 I'll make some mosaics to share my 'finds'! 

 $7 bought everything you see here!

 No wonder it's so hard to pay $5 for a Golden Book. We bought them for 39 cents back in the 'olden days'!

And I picked up some new bookmarks,

 And got some good movies to watch, 

And the latest Ocala magazines were in the lobby!

What a haul! And in case you wonder! I don't 'hoard' all of my children's books. I donate a lot of them to the family room at the Legacy Hospice house where I volunteer doing patient visits every week.

Have you used your library card lately?

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Amaze me Monday HERE.