Weedon Island Hike - It may be FALL where you are, but it's still 90 degrees in Florida - Photos

How I envy you Northerners this time of year.

Oh, to be able to take a walk in the crisp, foggy morning

air.

A place that has a real forest, not a swamp!

It's hot and it's humid and the sun is still beating down

on us here in Florida!

Last week, my girlfriend Jackie and I intended to visit a

wildlife photography and painting exhibit at a local

nature preserve called Weedon Island.

Well, the building was closed, they are only open Wed-

Sat! Bummer!

"Beauty Berry Bush"

alongside the decorative building at Weedon Island

There was a huge trail map posted outside,

which prompted us

to take a walk

to the look-out tower.

Ha!

Hike is a lot more like it!

The distance was highly deceiving - but the worst part was the sun beating down on us at about 95 degrees, no shade at all - walking on a boardwalk above the wetland swamp. 

They had maybe ten benches along the way - only two of which were in the shade - no cover at all!

One unexpected pleasure was to find some beautiful wildflowers along the way which thrilled us both no end.

Except Jackie kept obsessing about the snakes, which were surely lurking by every flower just to bite us in our flip flop exposed toes!

Look for my upcoming photo essay on the wildflowers of Weedon Island Nature Preserve!

Isn't it lovely?

Do you happen to know the name of this pretty

wildflower?

I came home with the worst sunburn,

good thing we had our waterbottles with us, native Floridians never venture outside without their waterbottle.

Not much of a scenic view along the boardwalk ........

We sighted several waterbirds,

none close enough for a good shot, except on the way to our car,

we spotted this beautiful

white egret.

We liked the informative educational plaques they had on display along the trail. It explained much about the flora and fauna and the delicate ecological balance.

Several plaques had raised lidded areas with questions - which you could lift to see the answer underneath, with pictures of the wildlife - a fun way to educate children (though we liked it too:)  

A view from the top of the lookout tower

with one of the

educational posts.

The heat about did us in - Jackie's doo rag - or is it dew rag for the ladies? came in handy - we were both dripping, good that I had a stash of cologne and lemon scented wipes!

The only consolation was that we ended our day at the "Big Kahuna" Bar and Grille in Tampa, just before the afternoon rainstorm hit - they make the best Margaritas I've had in Florida yet.

No - no picture of the bar, althaugh it's one of those cool, wildly decorate vacation and biker hang outs, think TIKI kitsch:). I was not about to get my camera wet or stand there as a lightning rod.

Another wonderful surprise

were my first wild racoon shots ever, nice close ups too, since

Jackie called the mama and her cub and they came scuttling to see if we had food.

 Anyway, to get back to the changing of the seasons, I treasure the one tree in our yard which blooms in fall - a golden raintree. Right now it looks like one puffy yellow cloud ............

Golden Raintree - fall blooms

 In another week or two it will change to a sort of flamingo color, which is my thrill of the season, then turn maroon and eventually, very slowly lose it's leaves.

Enjoy all the seasons of your life...............

So there you have it - my ramblings for today:)

Love and peace to all my gatherfriends and don't forget to stay

tuned for my wildflower photo essay!

All images © 2009 Rose H.