my adventure cat

original nature photography blog based in central florida, u.s. named for my late cleo, timid-housecat-turned-wild-explorer.

[myadventurecat]

Green Mountain Overlook, Minneola, Florida. June 2018.

[myadventurecat]

Green Mountain Overlook, Minneola, Florida. June 2018.

[myadventurecat]

Hontoon Island State Park, Deland, Florida. June 2018.

Resurrection fern; new growth on a burned pine.

[myadventurecat]

Hontoon Island State Park, Deland, Florida. June 2018.

Lush from the week’s stormy weather. We hiked barefoot, quiet and deliberate, taking advantage of the well worn trails.

[myadventurecat]

Hontoon Island State Park, Deland, Florida. June 2018.

Tufted Titmouse at sunset; pine flatwoods.

[myadventurecat]

Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida. April 2018.

Glossy Ibis.

[myadventurecat]

Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida. April 2018.

Bobolink; Anhinga; Purple Gallinue.

[myadventurecat]

Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida. April 2018.

[myadventurecat]

Black Bear Wilderness Area, Sanford, Florida. May 2018.

My friend and I packed a picnic lunch for this rainy afternoon hike. My hiking sneakers are still coated in muck from the walk. It was the last hike we took Bindi on before she left us.. I thought I had taken some shots of her running back and forth along the trail and sliding in the mud.. but it turns out that I didn’t. I miss her dearly, bobbing underfoot and tangling us together in her leash like a pup from Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. This trail was also the first trail I met her on.. The irony is bittersweet.. Next weekend we had her first camping trip planned. I keep saying that there are no adventures she doesn’t join us for now. But the grief is heavy in my heart.

[myadventurecat]

Tomoka State Park, Ormond Beach, Florida. April 2018.

First camping trip with my waterbaby friend. He is always fishing little creatures out of the water to show me. :) Didn’t have my camera out too much this trip, but it was a great one: night hiking, soo many fireflies, whippoorwills, a beautiful day on the water, and a leisurely morning in camp while he fried eggs and potatoes for breakfast burritos and I had coffee and pastries. Camping with someone who is both experienced and very in tune with you makes set up and break down a true joy. I’m hoping that between the two of us we can introduce my less savvy friends to some great camping experiences in the future!

[myadventurecat]

Rock Springs Run State Park, Apopka, Florida. March 2018.

More from my full moon camping trip: a mud turtle on trail (who my friend affectionately nicknamed Stupey.. I am still laughing about that), and a red bellied woodpecker. The swimming area was quiet and peaceful after the rain chased away the day visitors.

[myadventurecat]

Rock Springs Run State Park, Apopka, Florida. March 2018.

From a rainy full moon camping trip. The beer and vegetarian food was plentiful - and my friend brought all kinds of cute homey touches for the campsite that I never think of (her table cloth, strands of dim purple lights, a big bug net). Best overheard sentence from the site next door: “Mom, does mother earth speak spanish?”

[myadventurecat]

Faver-Dykes State Park, St. Augustine, Florida. March 2018.

First paddling trip with my friend and his pup. She wasn’t too keen on not being able to sit with BOTH of us, and was adorable in her quest to jump from one kayak to the other, so for the paddle back, we chose to bungee the kayaks together and break my paddle down into two separate oars. The river was beautiful - looking forward to a return camping trip and a longer day on the water.

[myadventurecat]

Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala, Florida. February 2018.

Had my first camping trip in bear country as an adult and forgot to pack a charged battery for my camera. D’oh! It was a stunning trip though - we had a great first day lounging by the spring, reading and swimming; lots of delicious food, spiked cider and good music; soft gentle rain at night to lull us to sleep, and a beautiful morning paddle on the river. I literally could not have asked for a better trip.

[myadventurecat]

Flagler Beach, Florida. February 2018.

My friend’s puppy’s first visit to the beach included making new friends at an Ormond dog park, exploring the trail at the Coastal Strand, and eating as much sand as possible. :)

[myadventurecat]

Full moon picnic at Seminole State Forest’s Bear Pond Trailhead. January 2018.

Not pictured: the nearby bear cub we heard call for mama during our entire dinner!

[myadventurecat]

Lake Harney Wilderness Area, Geneva, Florida. January 2018.