Snake and Spider Warning!
I truly love where I live. It’s a beautiful part of America and I thoroughly enjoy my weekly hikes where I can explore some of the hidden treasures that most people don’t see.
When people think of Florida, either the House of Mouse or beaches are the first thing people imagine. Up here in the Panhandle, we still have gorgeous beaches, but we also have amazing natural woodlands. Miles and miles of trails wending through hardwood forests, long needle pine groves and labyrinths of scrub copses.
There are rare dune lakes, a mishmash of salt and fresh water environs. There are tannic cold water creeks as red and clear as rooibos tea. Osprey, great blue heron and snowy ibises make our bayous home, living along side gators and snapping turtles as big as small VW cars.
No matter the season, typically, I have these woodland trails to myself. I’m free to amble along at my pace, snapping photos, talking aloud to my imaginary friends, and singing along to my inner soundtrack.
While this may sound boring to my family and friends, these hikes offer a level of excitement not found just anywhere. No other people are on the trail with me, but I am hardly alone. The fun comes from trying to spy where my travel companions are hiding.
You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.
Thin spiral notebook 
I’m a little jealous of all the treasures you have right in your own “back yard.”
I think my favorites in this bunch are the fish (he looks almost translucent) and the turtles. Spiders creep me out, but I have to admit, the one you captured is a beauty.
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You do live in such a beautiful part of the state…and those photos (yes even the snake..) were just stunning.
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Fantastic shots. Your views sound hardly boring. Envy the access.
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You really do have some great wildlife there! The snakes in the UK are very shy and rarely seen, is it the same over there?
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Unfortunately no, snakes are very common here. I’ve found several in my yard. Luckily, though snakes are common, poisonous snakes are more rare. The photo here is of a cottonmouth… which was poisonous. The photo was taken on a cold day, so it was moving very slowly.
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Great photos! The flora and fauna of Florida is so *there*. No pale, frail wimpiness allowed.
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Exactly! There are all sorts of critters out there.
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