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.