May 06th, 2021

Any hike that starts like this is obviously going to be a good one!  And it was!

Well howdy do!  It's Thursday and therefore it's time for the Photo Safari Report!  This one will be called the "Bits of This and That Hike" because there was no one central theme.  We did smaller hikes in two different (but nearby) preserves.  We started at one only because it had a bathroom.  The place we planned to hike (Sleeping Turtle Preserve) doesn't have one. (gasp!) But since they are so close to one another, it was no big deal to stop at Carlton Reserve first.  And as I said, the intention was to just use the potty at Carlton and then move on to Sleeping Turtle.  But as we drove in and saw that gorgeous light, well, it was like nature was speaking to us.  "Start Here" it said.  And so we did.

One of the things that we hoped to find (and did) in that gorgeous morning light was spider webs. They are most easily seen AND at their most beautiful either first thing in the day, or late afternoon.  And this place did not disappoint. They were everywhere. And in one place there was a single tree that hosted dozens of them!

And then of course, there was just the pleasure of hiking such gorgeous trails and on such a beautiful day!

We went off trail cautiously here and there and we were happy that we did because we saw a few things we had never seen before.  Like a dried up swamp area.  Right now here in Florida we are still in our dry season but soon enough  it will be the rainy season again and some of these trails will be inaccessible. We needed to take advantage while we could.  Being able to walk around in a place that is usually under water was fascinating!

There were loads of dragonflies. More than we've seen in awhile.  A few butterflies (that I was not able to capture) at least one  moth, one other bug - not sure what sort a kind of fly I think- and a ladybug!  I adore ladybugs.

There were a few especially interesting trees that caught my eye as well.  I guess I was feeling a bit whimsical because these truly made me smile.  I will caption them for you.

Flowers?  Of course!  Mostly in pink and yellow.  I wonder why that is?  Hmmmmm

A few birds.  I'm thinking Joy got a lot more bird photos that I did. She has so much more patience and frankly is a far better photographer.  We heard them the entire time we were out in both places. But finding them, that's a whole other story.  I did get a tortouise and a few squirrels too.  It's not birds, but they hold still longer when it comes to photos

As always I will finish up with the rando shots

So that's it.  That's yesterdays hike. We had a great time, as we always do.  Hope you enjoyed it too!