The path leading into the live oak forest is hard packed sand and covered with years of fallen leaves, making its color rusty brown. It is early evening and the light filtering through the heavily treed canopy creates long shadows. Some of the trees are huge with thick trunks and long branches giving away their age.
Ross Prairie Trail
Some of the branches are so heavy they grow toward the ground. The branches are covered with moisture loving green moss and ferns, perfect compliments to these old giants.
Ferns in the arms of a beautiful Live Oak TreeFerns growing at the base of a tree.
We are walking along the trail, enjoying the quite, Howard in the lead with Skye and I bringing up the rear. All of a sudden Howard stops in front of me and I run right into him. He softly tells me, “I saw an owl fly and it landed on a branch just ahead.” We stand still for a few seconds not wanting to scare the owl and then began slowly walking toward the tree. Howard says, “Hand me Skye so you can get closer, I will stay back.”
I walk quietly and slowly not wanting it to fly. My heart is pounding, because it looks like a Barred Owl, which I have never seen in the wild. Oh my gosh, it is a Barred Owl. I am so excited.
I don’t have my camera, but I take a photo with my phone. It isn’t a good photo, because the owl is so high up in the tree and the lighting is not the best.
Barred Owl
It doesn’t matter, the only thing that matters is standing there in the forest, watching the owl. It stays perched looking around and looking down at me. This encounter was unexpected and amazing.
A tree passed its prime.
~The Barred Owl is number 388 on my Birding Life List~
Near Sunset at Silver Springs State Park, along the bank of the Silver River
With full awareness, knowing,
I am not guaranteed a future,
I strive to live in the Now.
~
I don’t want to relive, Yesterday,
Nor, do I want to live for, Someday,
Where I want to live is, Now.
~
Now, is where my dreams come true,
Now, is where I truly thrive,
Now, is wherever I am.
A Baby Blue Heron perhaps looking for a place to roost for the nightGreat Egret flies low over the Silver River“Can you find me” This little Audubon’s Warbler hopped from lily pad to lily pad hunting for its evening meal!“I told you there would be more photos!” “Do you like my home?”
You ever visit a place and right away feel at ease and peaceful; when you immediately know that you have picked the right place to spend a few days. When this happens, I like to say it has Chi!
This is what Howard and I both felt when we arrived at Silver River State Park, located in Ocala, Florida. What a beauty of a state park it is!
It was our first visit to Silver River and we absolutely love this park. No wonder it is difficult to book; now we know we will have to book a site eleven months in advance!
Silver Springs, Site 47
Almost all the sites are huge, pull-thru, level and private! Once parked you are surrounded by tall Live Oak, Pine trees and Palmettos!
Silver Springs, Site 51Silver Springs, Site 51Silver Springs, Site 14Doing what “hams” do, playing with wire! I think Howard is a Happy Camper“I really like Silver River State Park; I’am happy!”“I like this site. Can you tell?”A ghostly pair!
There are fifteen miles of hiking trails to enjoy.
“Don’t go anywhere! She has more photos, of my beautiful state park, to show you, “
We spend four nights at this beautiful state park in Dunnellon, Florida. We have visited this park many times and enjoy it each and every time! If you love to kayak then this state park is a must stop for you.
Rainbow SpringsRainbow Springs State ParkMe and My Pack Enjoying the warmth of the Sun“Mom, I think there is a bird up there you might want to see!”“Maybe it is a new one for you!”Ruby-crowned Kinglet (This is the bird Kloud was looking at.)Northern Cardinal (femaile)Northern Cardinal (male)Northern MockingbirdEastern PhoebeTufted TitmouseCarolina Chickadee
Northern Cardinal
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Phoebe
Rainbow Springs State Park
We are currently at Silver River State Park in Ocala, Florida. This is our first visit to this state park and we have fallen in love with its huge, gorgeous sites, the thick forrest of oak and pine and the laid back environment we so enjoy!
I can’t say I enjoy leaving the park and driving around in the heavy Ocala traffic; however we will put this park on our list for future stops!
Hopefully, I will have a few photos to share during the week.
Wolf Song Blog 