Oh, well, I missed the super bowl. Mike has even less interest in football than I do. I usually know what teams are playing although even that went by me this year. I tuned in for Downton Abbey though.
It was a gorgeous day here on the Florida west coast—cooler than it has been and I took advantage with a great bike ride.
I noticed this trail off the neighborhood road I was pedaling along so I went down to explore. I could hear traffic. This little park is very near the overly commercial strip of Route 41 and very near the large shopping center in South Venice, but it looked like a slice of rural Florida.I spotted an egret and a little blue heron along the creek shores.
Neither one was at all interested in having its picture taken.
I also saw a chenille plant, but the picture did not come out or I deleted it accidentally. This is a Brazilian pepper plant that has become, like so many species of both flora and fauna, a Florida invasive. 
The sun was really bright. I am pretty sure this white flowering vine that you can hardly see is a moon flower. The terrain was certainly right for it,
I also came across this Turk’s cap. At the end of the trail there was an enclosed alligator pond.
I later learned I had been stopping to snap pictures along Alligator Creek.
There were many dog walkers using the trail so I don’t imagine there is too much alligator danger in the area.
I am enjoying learning about all the plants you are observing in your travels about the area.
ReplyDeleteI recently went to a nursery for some plants--what an overwhelming array! Lots of things that will grow here, grow too well and become invasive though.
DeleteI got a sinking feeling when you started down that path. I thought "alligator encounter". I'm glad so see it was just floriferous instead.
ReplyDeleteMike does not like that I will wonder down these inviting paths by myself, but he has yet to offer to go along and protect me.
DeleteI love Downton Abbey. Did you see in the previews that Bates is finally coming home? I really like him.
ReplyDeleteI thought the last two episodes were especially good. It is really the only show I arrange to watch on a regular basis.
DeleteThat is what I miss most about Florida--the great bike trails and scenery. Have you visited Oscar Scherer SP bike trails?? My brother who is an avid biker has tried to get into that state park near you but it is booked solid. He said the trails are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNow if the state could just get the pythons to eat the pepper plants--
Oscar Scherer is on my list...although I may have waited too long into tourist season. Venice has become somewhat of a biking mecca in the past few years.
DeleteThat looks beautiful. I'm so jealous of your weather there. I haven't watched that show yet but know of many people that do every week. It must be good.
ReplyDeleteThe weather this winter has been unbelievable--in a good way.
DeleteLove seeing all your great photos -- I'm vacationing in Florida vicariously. My husband is a rabid football fan, so there was no doubt that we'd have the game on. I always DVR Downton Abbey and watch it later.
ReplyDeletePeace,
Muff
I grew up in a family of rabid football fans. I think Mike's lack of interest was one of the major attractions for me!
DeleteI too abandoned the Superbowl game to watch Downton Abbey in another room... love that show!
ReplyDeleteI love it too.
DeleteNice little park. It is alway great to have a bit of nature strewn into civilization.
ReplyDeleteSo my wife and I are not the only ones to not worship the NFL and its overpaid minions. I didn't know who played until we started glancing for the end of the game. We wanted to watch Elementary.
While I am not a fan of the Steelers, I am a supporter! We have a 1% extra levy on our sales tax in SW PA to help pay for the stadiums that our teams insisted that we build lest they leave town. I was going to help pack their bags. Our politicians started quaking in their boots, asked the electorate in a referendum if they could raise the tax. We said no, and they raised it anyhow. One percent doesn't sound like much, but just think, the last time I bought a car I handed over $250 to the Steelers and their ilk.
Quite actually it is probably a blessing that I am not a fan, I don't believe I could afford the price of tickets to a Steeler game in a stadium loaded with luxury box seats. Keeps the riff-raff such as myself out. Its a good deal, have the poor underwrite the cost of the stadiums so the well to do can go watch the very wealthy beat the hell out of each other.
It is entertainment, which seems to be the dubious religion of the day. Consider it your tithe.
DeleteA grandma on a bike with a camera -- that is the good life! And certainly better than football. They said it was the most watched TV event ever -- I think it was all of us that tuned in early to watch Elementary!
ReplyDeleteYes, a good life indeed! Gotta be grateful.
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