SHOLOM PARK, Ocala, Florida

REVISIT to SHOLOM PARK

As I had said in my earlier post, Sholom Park deserves more than one visit.

Our first visit on March 30th had produced the beautiful pastoral scene,

as well as the pair of Great Blue Herons on their nest.

Well, our second visit rewarded us with the exciting

opportunity to see the family the couple had produced.

This is what we found on April 9th.

These two have a sibling for a total of three chicks.

Yesterday, April 24th, there was still one chick in the nest.

It didn't look as though there was room for the other two,

and they had apparently flown the coop.

I would have thought from all the wing exercising this

one was doing, that he was ready to fledge

while we watched.  However, he was still

content to have Dad deliver a meal to him,

and then he preened in the afternoon sun.

He is getting to look a lot like the parents.

Did I mention that this nest is across from the viewing deck at the

Koi fish pond with the two fountains.

On April 24th, these beautiful iris were 

in bloom at the edge of the pond.

Almost exactly above the viewing platform is another nest

with a Mom and four chicks, that we sighted on April 9th.

By the time we returned on April 24th, there was only one remaining

in that nest that we could see.

Sholom Park is in Ocala, Florida at 7110 80th Avenue,

easily reached off SR 200 West. 
Summer hours are:
8AM to 7PM daylight time.
See my earlier posting

for further details.

Take a picnic if you wish, or a chair and a good book.

It is so peaceful there.  There are many benches

along the path around the pond, as well as in the

Labyrinth walk.

ROSS PRAIRIE STATE FOREST, Dunnellon, FL

ROSS PRAIRIE STATE FOREST

10660 SW Hwy 200, Dunnellon, Florida

We explored Ross Prairie State Forest, yesterday, with a new friend. He guided us along a 2.3 mile trail that wove through the forest, where the fragrant aroma of pines and spring flowers wafed through the cool air.  The trail led out to an open prairie, where there is a sand path around the perimeter, with trail markers pointing us back into the forest. We could really feel the heat of the day out on the prairie path.

 

It was so refreshing to reenter the cool forest, 

before heading back out to the sun drenched prairie

 where he showed us a water hole.  

It was permanent enough to have White Water Lilies,

 and two resident alligators.

 

 

Can you spot the alligator peeking at you, 

from between the water lily pads?  

He looks like a stick stretched out to the right.

Partridge berry blossoms in the forest reminded me 

of our woods in New York State,

as did the cascades of high bush Blueberries blossoms.

I was surprised to find lots of colorful fungus and mushrooms in Spring.  Back home I think of mushrooms as being abundant in the Fall months.

a peachy trio

brown tones

Red Blanket Lichen was on live trees

 as well as on many fallen logs.

In one of the forest openings, 

we heard the Eastern Twohee rustling in the leaves, 

under some shrubs.  

Soon he moved to the top of the shrubs

 where I was able to take his picture.  

He seemed to be saying,

"REET" "REET" "REET".

When I imitated his call, he got really excited and stayed near us much longer than I would have expected.

 While enjoying the Twohee,

I glanced down and spotted this blue Lupine,

with a 

Florida Leaf-Footed Bug on it.

Before leaving the RPSF, we were awed by the 

Prickly-Pear cactus plants

 that graced some of the prairie grass along the entrance road.  (Look to your left because they bloom from April through August).

If you venture to walk among them, as I did, 

be sure your feet are well covered and legs protected.  

They have barbed bristles that are difficult to remove from the skin, per my Audubon book.  

These plants can be from one foot to three foot tall

 with spiny pads the size of the palm of my hand.   

They were just beginning to bloom, and smaller than I expect they will be in the months to come. 

We topped off our day with lunch at Stumpknockers,

just three miles further West on HWY 200, 

heading into Inverness. 

 The view of the cyprus, at the edge of

the Withlacoochee River, just off the deck

at Stumpknockers. 

VENETIAN GARDENS PARK, Leesburg, Florida

VENETIAN GARDENS PARK

Leesburg, Florida

Follow the signs on US Hwy 441 South, to Dixie Avenue

 and to the Leesburg Hospital.

This magnificent park is just beyond the Hospital on your left.

If you approach Dixie Avenue from US Hwy 27 South, it will be

on your right before you get to the hospital.

There are ample parking spaces or you can drive along the shoreline

of Harris Lake to view some of the water activities.

There are  picnic pavilions and plenty of park benches

 for sitting and enjoying the beauty.

There is also a nice children's play area and rest rooms,

close to the entrance.

 

We chose to park and walk the trail,

and pass over the many bridges from one

area to another.

Near the parking area, some

folks were fishing.

There was some sun bathing going on too.

There were flowers to be enjoyed

as well as the birds of all shapes and sizes,

and colors.

Lantana

Lance Leafed Arrowhead

 Great Blue Heron

 Great Egret

Red Winged Blackbird

  Common Moorhen

 

 Purple Gallinule

Anhinga

sunning himself.

Take a picnic with you, and have

a memorable day.  

We plan to visit here again, soon.

There is no charge for a visit 

to this Paradise in Leesburg, Florida.

 

 

FLORIDA NATURE at its BEST - Honeymoon Island, and Sholom Park

AMAZING NATURE TRAILS

IN FLORIDA

We had the joy of being taken to Honeymoon Island State Park,
in Dunedin, Florida.

We walked the Osprey Trail in late afternoon,
on a perfect day.

This Osprey had an early dinner.

We later saw several others with similar catches.

The Osprey nests are high up in the sky,

safely out of human reach.

It appears that Spanish Moss is used

to cushion the abode.

SHOLOM PARK

Ocala, Florida

(Near the Top of the World development,

out SR 200 West, turn right onto 80th Ave., the park
is at 7110 80th Avenue, on your left).

This lovely private park, open to the public,

has walking trails, a Pond with Koi fish, 

and places where you can sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

There is a Labyrinth with inspirational plaques.

When we first arrived, we walked to the Pond to see the Koi fish.

I looked up and spotted this Great Blue Heron,

high up in a pine tree,

across from the Koi fish viewing gazebo.

 

Koi Fish Pond has two of these fountains.

As we began walking the Labyrinth Trail, 

this lovely pastoral scene greeted us,
off to the right.

A plant with rosey red leaves brightened the path.

The grass sure does look greener on the

other side of the fence.

We went to take one more look at the Heron,

and were rewarded with this 

magnificent photo of a pair on

the same earlier nest at the Koi Fish Pond.

They had two chicks in it, and

I was able to video tape them being fed.

What a thrilling afternoon.

Great Blue Herons on their nest in

 Sholom Park, Ocala, Florida,

March 30, 2014.

KANAPAHA BOTANICAL GARDENS in Gainesville, Florida

FEBRUARY 20, 2014

We had a delightful day visiting the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens,

in Gainesville, Florida.  Admission - $7.00 was well spent.

When we called to confirm their hours

(see website at: www.kanapaha.org)

we were invited to bring our picnic lunch

and enjoy their Picnic Grove.

They had nice stone tables with tile inlays.

Papyrus

This was first time I could appreciate the stories of Moses
being placed in a basket in the reeds. 
They remind me of Cattails
especially with the hot dog type of pod on the
top of the stems from last year's plants.

The spring flowers were such a joy to see.
They have a Bulb garden with tags to let
you know what you are viewing.

I loved seeing the variety of their
Camillias along one of the walk ways.

Magnolias in February were such a treat,
since we will not see them blooming up home
until well into May.

I must include the Koi fish that were
so colorful.

We hope you will take the time to enjoy this wonderful place,
if you happen to be in the area.