Some of the "new kids' in town!

 

We are seeing birds now that we don't see year round here in Florida.

The Summer Tanager was a neat sighting.

We actually saw the red male but he flew away as soon as we saw him.

The female stayed on the same branch and sang and sang!

And think she was trying to call him back.

These were sighted at limerock road trail off of hwy 200.

On another hike on 49th Ave trail I saw this pretty female!

We saw a beautiful Northern Parula this week at Blue Run Park.

Lots of Swallowtail Kites at Halpata Tastaniki Preserve.

And we even saw some Mississippi Kites in our neighborhood! (no pics of them yet!)

We see Tortoise homes everywhere we hike but it's neat when we actually see one 'at home'! 

This one is on the embankment of the 49th Ave overpass. Can you see it right in the center of the photo? 

The sunflowers are just starting to open at Cannon Farms! 

We are still hiking on all the nice days which means we are having to make ourselves take a day off now and then. But when summer comes, we won't be able to get out as much! 

Have you had a good week with nice weather?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

 

If you LOVE red!

 

My knock out roses are just blooming their pretty heads off!

They love these warm humid days of early summer!

Thanks to my sweet hubby, I have rose bushes all around my house and roses blooming year round!

And thanks to my sweet neighbors that have beautiful flowers planted right where we can enjoy them from our front windows!

They are the prettiest I've ever seen this year!

More of the flower garden....

and another rose mosaic!

Oh and if you are still in the mood for 'red'!

A few photos from the trailheads this week. We hiked on Limerock Road the other day and I love the photos at the trailhead. I have a smile on my face when I see my Jeep parked at a trailhead at the end of a hike.  We open the roof and snack on apple slices before we head home. Life is good!

Did you have a nice Mother's Day weekend?

(the reflection seen in the side window of the Jeep)

Hope you're having a nice week with lots to smile about!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,

Also I like Thursdays HERE. 

Wood Ducks strike a pose!

 We see Wood Ducks quite often at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.

One day we saw a few in the swamp, in the Rainbow River and then again in a pond area.

And usually they are in pairs swimming around.

So it was neat to see them up on a stump preening, too. 

Both of them enjoying a little time out of the water!

Another pretty scene on this particular hike was the Great White Egret.

The plumage on this bird was just gorgeous!

A close up of the feathers!

There's always something to see when you hike along this trail.

On this particular hike an alligator ran across the trail in front of us. Another 'first' for us! He came from the swamp side, crossed the trail, headed straight to the river and jumped in. He was only about 5 ft long but still.....!!!

We have to keep our eyes on the trees, on the water....oh and on the trail in front of us! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

A Passion for Hiking!

 

Everyone knows I have a passion for hiking! And this week, we are seeing the Passion Flower in full bloom! It's the funniest thing. The vines don't stand out in the forest but when the big beautiful bloom opens, you can see it here there and everywhere. 

We always say that about the cactus. We don't notice how much cactus there is until you look out and see all the yellow blooms. They 'jump' out at you!

It's been perfect weather for hiking this week!

Warm but lower humidity and a nice breeze most days!

(trying to stay away from bugs and bears! lol)

We'll keep going while we are able!

And enjoy the beauty along the way.

We've seen some amazing sights this week.

And just when we think we've 'seen it all', we see something we've never seen before.

Like a hiker on the Florida trails with a guitar on his back. 

There he goes! He was headed to Deer Woods at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. Other photos taken at the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, HTP, Florida Trails, 49th Ave Trail and Limerock Road. Get out and enjoy the sights! 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE 

AND my Monday post HERE.

A Walk through Deer Woods

 

I like to name areas along the trail and this is definitely Deer Woods. It's Halpata Tastanaki Preserve from the Pruitt Trailhead and we usually see deer in this area.

 

This particular day, we saw several.

Some of them aren't very concerned about us trekking through the woods.

They still take the time to have a snack as they are crossing in front of us.

(my favorite photo of the day, I made a banner out of it!)

Look how well they blend in to the grasses!

And I wouldn't normally share a shot of the 'tail end' but it was such a neat photo of the white flag (his tail) and his legs on the bound that I just had to share! lol

OK, hide now! I know you are embarrassed! 

We saw a lone Sandhill Crane close by. They are usually in pairs or a family but we only saw this one.

Ibis flew overhead and dragonflies are in abundance now. It's gotten 'warm' but we still love to get out!

Has it warmed up at your house this week? By warm....I mean we are already seeing some 90s for highs! It's May in Florida and I love it! It's just about my favorite month of the year!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Keeping a Gratitude Journal

 

Years ago, I kept a gratitude journal and this week I decided to start a new one. I write in journals every day and have for years! I write in my day planner about the interesting happenings of the day! And I write in my hiking journal to document our hikes, how far we go, how long we hike, weather, sightings and anything of interest.

I love beautiful journals and have some I've been saving for 'special'. So I'll start something new this week. We've had both of our Covid Vaccine shots so it's time to 'live a little'! And write down what I'm thankful for each and every day!

I've had such a good week and so many good hikes and walks. The pair of Canada Geese at the neighborhood pond have little goslings now.

Aren't they just the cutest thing ever?

It was funny that a Red-winged Blackbird got into the photo above!

I wish I could have gotten closer but I didn't want to bother them!

I get so much joy from the birds and critters here in Florida

Amaryllis and Bougainvillia are in bloom right now too!

A beautiful Florida sunset always makes you pause and give thanks too!

Have you had a good week? 

Thanks to all of you who enjoy this journey with me 

...discovering the real Florida....

and take the time to leave such sweet comments!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,

Also I like Thursdays HERE.