Monthly Archives: November 2023
Our excursion to Lake Wales Ridge State Forest had been typical of past visits. We encountered old friends and were treated to surprises which nature has a way of placing in your path. The quiet of sunrise in the pine forest, the raucous wake-up calls of both Blue and Florida Scrub Jays, abundant floral arrangements just for our eyes, white-tailed deer skulking just inside the tree line, tracks of a Bobcat in… Read More
Pine trees. Tall. Green. Rough, thick, scaly bark. Be careful in handling the pine cone or you may wind up with a hand full of small holes. Close your eyes and breathe in. The air of a pine forest can soothe one’s very soul. Our two souls were busy being soothed when the shriek of a Red-shouldered Hawk roused us from our reverie. Gini and I have almost come to treat each… Read More
Driving along a dirt road in the dim light of pre-dawn is invigorating. The condition of the road demands slow speed. With the windows down it almost feels chilly, even here in sub-tropical Florida. Gini confirmed she was the smartest in the group (of two) by bringing a sweatshirt which was now wrapped loosely around her neck for maximum coziness. Suddenly, the day was bright and we were seeing flowers along the… Read More
(Click images to enlarge, click again to zoom.) The Sun. The Moon. Sky, earth, water. Life. Death. Nature has it all. Spending time away from human-influenced distractions allows us to realize that nature incorporates rhythm into each and every day. I think that’s why humans invented music. A poor attempt to emulate nature’s never-ending heartbeat. A day in the forest, at the shore, in a grassy field, deep in a dark swamp… Read More
Our Natural Places 