My Special day and a 'deer' story!

 

I thought I would interrupt the regularly scheduled blogging to have a 'special day'!

Yes, it comes around every year and this year it's a good chance to catch up on the highlights of last year.

When we are at home, I hike some of the same trails over and over. And it's amazing how different each hike can be. 

There's a small herd of deer that I am seeing in the same area. 

The Mama Deer came out onto the trail and grazed on the side of the paved trail. 

This is the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. I don't walk on the paved part very much but use it to get to other forest trails.

I stood really still and it crossed in front of me.

But it didn't go away. It stayed put watching me.

And when I didn't leave, it crossed back over.

I looked into the forest and understood why. Several young deer were hiding in the forest.

And they were waiting for Mama to give them the go ahead to cross.

It was a neat sighting and when I decided to quit taking photos of them, they bounded away.

White tailed deer

I get such enjoyment getting out in nature and I always feel refreshed and rejuvenated after a hike. I really prefer hiking deep into the forest. And I'm very thankful for the good health and trails nearby.

Last year was a challenge. But I managed 142 hikes for the year and got to hike a lot of different trails with our camping trips. I want to give my sweet hubby a big thank you for hauling me all over the place to camp at state parks and hike new trails. 

Hopefully for my birthday this year, I'll be out and about doing what I love best! 

HIKING!

My sister, my cousin...

and I'm the tall blonde! 

Happy 'special day' to all my blog buddies, family and friends!

I'll save you a chocolate birthday brownie!

An afternoon drive to the Preserve!

 

We drove past Halpata Tastanaki Preserve while running an errand. 

When we finished and made the turn around, the Jeep drove right into the gate at the Preserve.

It was impossible to drive past it twice in one day without stopping!

Great Blue Heron at a distance

We didn't even get out of the vehicle but we saw so much.

Dove

I always encourage everyone that reads my blog to get out in nature and sometimes that means taking a drive to a park or preserve. And if you can't do that, maybe you can sit outside when the weather is nice or look out the window at bird feeders when it's not. Letting your mind relax and enjoy the outdoors is what's good for you!

Great Crested Flycatcher

American Kestrel (on the drive in)

All photos taken from inside the car!

Red Shouldered Hawk

He sees US now! 

And another Kestrel on the drive out!

Time to FLY! 

And guess what? Another year has flown by and it's my birthday this weekend!

And guess what my sweet hubby gave me for my birthday! 

A Victrola record player! 

I've been playing records and dancing and he's been singing! So don't peek in the windows and get skeeeered! We both still have a few of our old 45s! 

I'm sure I'll be out on one of the Florida trails enjoying nature or at least taking a ride some place interesting.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

End of the month Leftovers?

We take SO many photos that I never post! 

So these are all taken on my birthday.

I told you I could make a month of posts just about my birthday! Can you spot my pink cap in the first two?

And we'll hurry right through them.

I mean I have another birthday just around the corner, right?

 They do seem to come along pretty regular! lol

This one needs a little 'splaining'!

 

At the top is a restaurant, I think.

Bottom left, would you rather take the birding trail with me?

Bottom right, or the 'watch out for alligators' trail with hubby?

Center, we didn't catch this young man in action (in a photo) but he was practicing his rope tricks. At the trailhead with a lasso flying through the air....really! 

We still had lots of wildflowers blooming and butterflies fluttering on this fine January day. We've had a freeze since then so that may have finished some of the blooms.

Hubby got Bubba's BBQ for my special birthday meal. We got a sample platter with all kinds of goodies. I loved the BBQ brisket best! If you are local, I highly recommend this place in Dunnellon! We'll be back!!!

I don't actually eat the sauce but hubby liked them. 

I got some pretty birthday cards this year. Hubby gave me THREE so he gets the most credit. 

I got some pretty ones from friends and family too!

He ordered these pop up cards from a wonderful Etsy shop HERE! If you need a card to send to someone and can't get out to shop, order one from her. She'll send it anywhere and even add a personal message. They are the cutest cards ever! Thanks hubby! And thanks to everyone that was thoughtful to send me a special card this year. 

I had a HUGELY Happy Birthday! 

Thanks everyone for making this one extra special!

And we had TWO days of winter weather this month! hahaha! But do you see what I see? Look under the 25!!!

0% chance of snow? Well, I should HOPE so!!!

Enjoy your day! Stay warm! 🌴

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

One more linky party HERE! 

Princess Pocohantas Parkway?

 Do we have time to turn at the pink elephant to explore the parkway? 

No, not this time! It's my birthday day trip! 

I wonder how many more posts I can do for my January birthday?

All of January? lol

But I had my choice of places to go and I chose to drive back out to the Gulf Coast and hike on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail.

It's become my favorite getaway now! I don't think anyone got my invitation! 

And we had weather in the 70s that day. We've had a week of colder temps so I was happy to have a beautiful day for this little trip. I mean it was only 60 when I hiked a couple of days ago! lol

I don't know how many banners I need! 

So here's some of what we saw. One of the highlights of the day was seeing a dolphin coming all the way out of the water...twice! But the photos of that didn't come out good. Too much excitement!

Cormorant

Spotted Sandpiper

A really LONG garter snake! (possibly an Eastern Ribbonsnake)

Red Admiral Butterfly (the first one we've seen)

A beautiful Eagle flying overhead....

and a Juvenile Eagle, too.

A Mockingbird (thanks Wally J. for help with the ID!), it never made a sound so I just couldn't understand a mockingbird that didn't 'mock'! 

So our plans for the day weren't exactly plan A but very close! And we'll save a trip down Princess Pocohantas Parkway for another day!

Have you had a good week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Thank you!

I SO appreciate everyone who takes time to visit my blog every week! And it felt especially nice to get all the sweet birthday greetings!

 I felt like it was a 'big deal' this year but when the day came, I felt GREAT!

And I got lots of cards and gifts....greetings and messages!

(and even promises of more on the way! heehee!)

This one from my sweet cousin made me cry!

It was WAY too cold and windy to do the big hike we had planned so we drove over to one of my favorite places nearby, Pruitt Trailhead. 

I know temps in the 50s wouldn't scare most of you but with the wind, it felt a lot cold...EERRR! 

A beautiful pop up card from my youngest son and a sweet letter inside! 

My hubby always surprises me with something funny! 

He said this card reminded him of me Wendy!

Oh my! I LOVE IT!

Thanks again for taking part in my special day this year! To quote from one of my favorite movies, What About Bob....

"I feel good....I feel great....I feel wonderful"! 

heeheeheehee! 🎉

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .