It’s hot out here…

Despite my best efforts to get out for my photo hike early in the morning, it was still hot as blue blazes. Coupled with the near 100% humidity, I literally sweated through two sets of clothes in less than four hours. (I actually do take changes of clothes when I go out, since I know I’ll need them… yeah, I know, TMI.)

This weekend I checked out a new location my Hubs told me about – Pine Log State Forest. Just a little gravel lot off the highway near Lynn Haven, FL, it offers 14 miles of hiking trails. Most of which I found were in open fields. Much too hot for summer hiking, but it will be a great place to revisit this fall.

I then drove down the road to Ponce de Leon State Park. Tradition has it that Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León found what he claimed to be the Fountain of Youth in Florida. While I can’t attest to the youth rejuvenating powers of the waters at the springs, it is lovely place to cool off in this oppressive heat.

These last two shots were both taken at Ponce de Leon State Park. The springs there are crystal clear… like swimming pool clear. The odd thing is that there are two creeks fed by the springs, each running parallel to each other. One (the top photo) is tannic, brown as sun tea. The other (the one directly above) is as clear as the springs.

(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)

For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.

More Weekly Winners photo galleries can be found at I am Lotus. Please leave a little comment love for our lovely hostess and the other WW photogs.

To see other city scenes from around the world, check out Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City. Don’t forget to show the love to Mami and the other City contributors.