Hiking AND Camping! Ross Prairie State Forest

 I went back and looked at my hiking journal from 2013 and found our first dedicated 'hike' in Florida.

It was the Holly Hammock loop at Ross Prairie State Forest.

We had walked some trails and even hiked together in the mountains of NC but I started a hiking journal in November, 2013 to keep track of where we hiked and our sightings here in Florida. 

"Old photo"

We've sure had a lot of fun over the years and average around 150 hikes a year now. 

So how perfect was it to enjoy our first camping adventure at Ross Prairie Campground!

Our little Grand Design Imagine AIM.

We spent a week in the forest and I managed 8 hikes in 5 days! (then I came home and hiked one more, I felt so great and then I had to take a fews days off! hahahaha!)

The trails were all in great shape and the prairie was beautiful as always!

Some of our sightings included this beautiful Hermit Thrush.

Hermit Thrush

We've seen these birds every time we've hiked there so it must be the perfect habitat for these sweet birds.

Some of our sightings included deer, wild turkeys, black racer snake, lizards and other small birds,

The morning we were packing up to leave we watched an Eagle soar overhear. 

Bald Eagle

That really was special.

There were lots of wildflowers blooming so we saw butterflies and bees too.

It was so nice to just walk out the door of the camper and hike a trail! Twice I didn't even intend to hike and didn't take my camera. I started walking and next thing I knew I was on a trail!

It was glorious! I'm ready to go again!

Are you getting out more this Spring? 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Finding beauty close to home!

 

We've had a lovely Spring with perfect hiking weather and lots of pretty things to photograph in the forest.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

This is a trail I take from hwy 484 through the woods in the direction of Shangri-la. 

Shangri-la is a trailhead and a campground and it's a favorite destination too.

This particular trailhead is only 3 miles from my driveway so I go there often.

And of course there are trails that take off in several directions so every hike is different.

One day I photographed these Blue Lupines in full bloom.

They are scattered throughout the forest and really are a burst of color among the pine needles and old leaves.

And then another day I spotted these white Lupines! 

I had never seen them before so that was amazing!

One more close up!

I watched a little Black-capped Chickadee high in the tree.

The leaves of this tree are a pretty Spring green.

And then there were two Red-bellied Woodpeckers chasing each other.

I think it might have been a Spring ritual too.

Lots to see and do! I need to take some 'energy pills'! haha!

Have a beautiful weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

The "Birds"!

 What you focus on in this photo is the beautiful melodic Eastern Meadowlark.

He's always a welcome sighting at the Pruitt trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

But what you might notice on closer observation is 100s of black birds in the background.

They are crows! Hundreds of them! They streamed through until I gave up trying to count them.

It's Spring and the birds are on the move. And there are birds around that I don't normally see. 

I looked out at this beautiful tree and saw deer browsing. Later 3 more walked across the trail in front of me.

It's probably a good thing I don't get photos of everything I see. I walk slow enough as it is! 

They weren't the least bit concerned about me from that distance.

I watched a Swallow-tailed Kite overhead.

And then spotted this American Kestrel.

He's a little ruffled by the wind.

I saw several on this hike but they usually perch too far away for a good photo.

A few more sights along the way and we'll head back to the Jeep!

Oh and here's the 'monster' of the day!

Doesn't this piece of pine bark look a little like a gator?

I hope you are enjoying the birds of Spring where you live!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Sharing the Trail at the Shangri-La trailhead!

Let's drive back over to Shangri-La trailhead!

(horse trailer from the rear)

You can always count on seeing a few horse trailers and horses on the trails.

But let's see if I can find a parking space! lol

Some of the trails I hike on are shared trails but that's never been a problem.

I sometimes see a horse but it's an easy trail to step aside. And I always give the horses a wide berth. I don't want them to be nervous around me.

And the riders are always friendly when they pass.

Don't you love this horse trailer and the artwork at the top?

It's beginning to be one of my favorite hikes because of the beautiful forests with a chance to see wildlife and birds, flowers and butterflies.

Zebra Swallowtail butterfly, bull thistle

And when I left, this lone turkey wandered onto the dirt road in front of the Jeep.

So it was a chance for me to pull over in the grass and watch him wander!

I think I've learned my hiking form from him...a bit of a wander and meander!

Have you seen signs of Spring at your house this week?

It's beautiful here in Florida and I'm still hiking just about every other day which makes me happy AND healthy!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !  

Let's go back to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon!

 

When we want to see a lot of birds and wildlife, we head to Blue Run Park.

White Ibis

It's also a place to 'visit' with a few regulars. A lot of people go there every day to walk or ride bikes so it's fun to see some familiar faces.

We love seeing the boats on the Rainbow River too.

The bridge is near where the Rainbow River and Withlacoochee Rivers come together.

 
The Withlacoochee was sparkling on this particular day.

And below the bridge we spotted two alligators.

Two Red Shouldered Hawks were perched in a tree nearby. 

I have one pictured below but he really blends into the trees!

There were so many small birds but I think most of these are Yellow Rumped Warblers.

One more with the yellow rump visible.

And this is easily identified!

Wood Duck

He flew past us and landed in a pool of water close by!

And then he flew out again!

Lots of neat turtles on the logs.

And a Moorhen hiding in the tall grasses.

I love my forest hikes but you can see a lot more birds and wildlife at Blue Run Park!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE !