The joy of discovery

I love google earth.  It helps me to find places.  I scan the Ocala Forest to find places  of note.
Yesterday I found it in the woods using my GPS.  I was on my way home from Daytona and I had  daylight so, on an impulse, I turned off at the liquor store in Lynne.
I thought I could find it from memory. . . . .          Imagine my surprise.

(Click on the pics to see them larger.)

Just a little lake in the woods.  But  a jewel it is. 

Funny thing  -  It's right near Bruceville.

It was getting late and the light was fading but I felt so thankful to be here basking in God's creation.
This was just  a quick visit .    I shall return.  I think Jean would like it here.

Juniper Prairie Wilderness

A nice solo hike near home in the Ocala National Forest.  The sign says no hang-gliding.  Huh?

Click in the pictures to see them larger -  hit the back button to get back.

following old forest service roads but looking for opportunities to get off the trail and do some bushwacking.

The area is pocked marked by a complex of small  wet and dry prairies

Percolating rainfall passes quickly through the soil to drive the pressure at nearby Juniper Springs.

Last night this area had over an inch of rainfall and this prairie is already dried up.

a closer look at another dry prairie

evidence of fire, a big fire, dominates the  ecosystem and  visual landscape but allows for larger vistas. 

 I was looking for Scrub Jays because I have seen them about three miles east of here. 

These are burned out skeletons of Florida Rosemary, an uncommon plant but one that has evolved into a fire dependent system

Here is a rosemary bush that has recovered to a height of six feet. 

As the sun fell my time ran out and I pledged to return .  I ventured off the trail several times (using my GPS) and hiked strolling through a wide open  wilderness.  The prairies offed wide and open vistas for taking pictures or just seeing more than you could in a forest.   Really easy hike and surprisingly no ticks.  Let's go!