For some reason these pinecones, stopped by other vegetation from falling to the ground, caught my eye. They are Longleaf Pine tree, pinecones. Big!
A very young Longleaf Pine Notice the looong needles!All grown up Tall, straight and strong, the Longleaf Pine!Mixed in with the Longleaf Pines – the Turkey OakA Stink Bug crossing the roadRed-bellied WoodpeckerWhite-throated SparrowCarolina Jasmine Vine Almost ready to bloom“Want to race Kloudy”, Skye asks“I.am trying, I have shorter legs you know”“I give up”“I’am tried, after my big race” Kloudy“Mom, will you come get this pine needle out of my way” Skye
Photos taken March, 2014 (1st/2nd) at Blackwater River State Park. These are a few of my remaining photos from our visit.
Today, we drove about forty miles to Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, Florida. It was a short and pleasant ride! After setting up and walking the girls, we drove out of the peaceful, treed park looking for some Florida seafood. We stopped at a small restaurant called the Big Fish Grill, which overlooked a marina and enjoyed a delicious late lunch.
We decided after lunch to take a drive. We drove a big loop through Niceville, Fort Walton Beach and Destin arriving back at the park. Whew, lots of traffic, shopping centers, restaurants and high-rise hotels and condominiums!
Before we leave this area, heading west, I want to walk on the beach. I remember visiting Fort Walton Beach with my Mom and younger sister when we were kids; Dad always stayed home. We spent some fun vacations here swimming in the gulf. It sure is different from what I remember; of course that was a long time ago!
Tonight will be chilly, low of 37. Tomorrow we plan to visit an Air Force museum.
Photo taken: March 1, 2014, at Blackwater River State Park, Holt, Florida
The past few days have been absolutely beautiful, warm with sunny days and cool, starlit nights. We spent seven nights at Blackwater River State Park, this visit, which we enjoyed very much. I think this is our fourth visit to this scenic state park.
In the morning we head out to our next destination and I hope the great weather comes along!
During these past seven days we found new places to hike, a few birds to photograph, some beautiful, swampy, river areas to admire, and I can’t forget our sighting of the Fox Squirrel.
If you enjoy staying in state parks that are quiet and peaceful; filled with the aroma of pine with a gorgeous scenic river for kayaking and nature trails for hiking, then this state park is worth a look.
They have been working on a few renovations here at the park, specifically the pavilion on the river, which will be completed very soon. We can’t wait to see the improvements and to once again hike the trail along the riverbank.
A bog along a trailPalm Warbler sitting in a Long Leaf PineSunset on the Blackwater River (As close as it get to one!)I think a Hermit ThrushLife and Death Berry Bushes along a trailOld Bridge leading to Blackwater River Campground. Beach in the foreground.
Ruby-crowned KingletFace of Determination
It was a nice, sunny day today, at Blackwater River State Park, with temperatures hovering around 55 degrees. We spent time outside so things were good! A lot of the trails are covered with water due to heavy rains and river runoff, so we are limited to where we can hike. We saw another Fox Squirrel today, this one black with a white face, but he was too fast for me to get a photo.
This one and a half hour loop trail is covered with river water, in places, making it impossible to hike.
Tonight’s low will be 27 degrees; a little too “cool” for me! Where are our mild temperatures?
Setting Sun shines its beautiful light on this old tree
Upon this tree stately and old,
the setting sun shines,
its beautiful evening glow.
~
If only it could whisper,
sharing with us its history,
how it once prospered.
~
The fires it endured,
storms it embraced,
visitors it allured.
~
Tell us why fate,
left you in your current state,
no longer thriving and slightly out of shape.
~
Standing tall with determined will,
striking in appearance this evening,
receiving visitors still.
~
We woke up this morning to rain falling on our roof. It rained all day. So, our day was spent inside, which can be a struggle for me. No long walks, no photos taken, no bird watching and one spent without the warmth of the sun.
We did have a first time visitor to our “back” yard this morning, a Hermit Thrush taking a bath in a puddle. Sadly, no photo! This week our backyard is Site 017 at Blackwater River State Park.
We resolved ourselves to spend the day inside. I had prepared a Seafood Gumbo the other day and froze the leftovers. Today, I defrosted the Gumbo, added more Shrimp, some Snow Crab I picked up yesterday from the Milton, Winn-Dixie and a handful more Okra. You can’t have Seafood Gumbo without the Okra!
While the Gumbo simmered on the stove, I looked through my photos to see if I could find one to post. The above photo, taken in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, back in January is the one I choose.
I love this old tree. In this photo I love how the setting sun highlights its character. It might be dead; however it provides a home for many a critter, including my beloved Scrub Jays.
The Seafood Gumbo was delicious! I served it over rice, with hot french bread and a good wine! We might be in northern Florida, but we sure ate like we were in the heart of Louisiana!! We noticed while in Winn-Dixie that they were selling King Cakes; we should have brought one home for dessert.
Late this afternoon, after our early dinner, we did manage a walk. The rain finally stopped bringing much cooler temperatures.
We headed out the door wearing jackets and hats. Syke and Kloud enjoyed our walk much more than we did. They ran and ran, jumped and ran some more, wanting to play, loving the cool air and the break from being cooped up inside.
Tonight’s low will be in the 30’s, whats with that!
Wolf Song Blog 