Heron's Nest Nature Park

Saturday morning dawned overcast and damp. I snuggled into the flannel sheets and dozed until I decided that I really wanted a cup of tea. I ate breakfast while curled up on the sofa and reading my book.

After an hour I glanced out the sliding glass door and thought, This is perfect walking weather. I glanced back to my book and was about to start a new chapter when I decided that in fact I would go for a walk.

All of my guys were out of the house that morning and Molly wasn't the least bit interested in getting her paws wet so I was on my own. I quickly dressed in layers and headed to the nature park that's right by our house. Rainy weather is my favorite time to walk through this park because of the absence of joggers, kids on bikes, and dog-walkers chatting on cell phones.

I considered bringing my camera but quickly nixed the idea. I wanted to enjoy the peacefulness of the walk. Of course, I found stuff that I wanted to photograph so I used my cell phone.

I was surprised by the amount of Brazilian Pepper-Trees. This is an invasive species and anyone with a brain wouldn't plant it purposely. The proliferation of these trees must be by bird droppings.

There were several trees with scorched bark... probably from summer lightning strikes. This park is so close to my house that I thought that we would have seen smoke.

This clear spot in the bushes looks down into Wolf Slough. If this was in New Jersey, I would have been down there in a heartbeat exploring. But never in a million years in Florida.

Someone left their mark but it wasn't me!

I enjoy taking time to notice the small things. Look how hard this mushroom is working to push through the surface debris.

The best part of this park is the island rookery in the middle of this small lake. It's hard to see but it's really there. The birds were particularly chatty Saturday morning. I think because of the lack of human activity.

Me all bundled up.

I had a realxing morning, enjoyed my "me" time, and stayed out much longer than I had planned. My cheeks were so cold by the time I got home!