Spring in the Wildwoods

 

Nature has a way of reinventing itself at spring time in the purity of the wildwoods.

Under the Shade

A quiet place to sit and enjoy Pellicer Creek under the shade.

An Octopus Garden In the Shade

"I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade
I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade."  Beatles 

Dark Clouds Drooping Over Pellicer Creek

The rain started as soon as I took these pictures.  I love the formation of clouds; their shapes take on characteristics of many creatures, earthly and sometimes Divine. 

Gothic Trees of Faver Dykes

The Spanish moss was heavy and the strong wind swirl around the trees.  Several of the tree branches were entwined like growing vines with far reaching fingers of hanging moss.  It was a most unusual scene. Should be in a Gothic movie.

Pellicer Creek

 

Pellicer Creek winds along Florida's east coast highways down to the Matanzas River. Pellicer Creek is a birding site with nature trails; it has more than one hundred bird species seen during spring and fall migrations. Definetly plan to go canoing on the creek later in the spring. 

An Old Wash Pot and a Rusty Red Truck - Aging Can be Beautiful

An old wash pot sits in the front yard and a rusty red truck is parked on the side.  I sure do miss my great-grandma Dink Brown!  She lived in a house similar to this one 50 years ago in Cherokee County. Someone must love this place; after all, the grass is cut, there are no weeds and the house looks as good as my great grandmas before they tore hers down.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!  I think this place is beautiful!

The Door Will Open through Understanding

Sometimes the door will open only when you understand why it was shut in the first place.  Some of us are ordained to be artist, teachers, writers, counselors...  Our emphasis should be "Lord, here's what I want" to "Lord, what do you want?

Fishing for Life's serene moments

This area was a favorite place to pull up your chair and cast a fishing line.  Fishing from the river banks is still popular on the Intracoastal creeks and rivers.  Quiet, blissful, a place to contemplate life's serene moments.

A Drowsy, Dreamy Influence Where Artesian Water flows....

"A pleasing land of drowsy head it was,
Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye;
And of gay castles in the clouds that pass,
Forever flushing round a summer sky..."
Castle of Indolence, D. Knickerbocker

Crossing Over Cherokee Grove

The original name of Princess Place Preserve was Cherokee Grove.  On a small island they built a park with picnic tables and a gorgeous veiw of the marsh and river.

Rocking Chairs of the Marsh land

The Princess Place Lodge has rocking chairs on the back porch to sit and soak in the glory of the marsh, the wildlife, Matanzas River and the oak trees with thier branches drooping with spanish moss.  Close your eyes and the Rocking Chairs carry you back for a moment to the old Florida of the 1900's with the scents and sounds of the wildness and beauty of the area.

Bridge to Oysters Beds & Sand Bars

The bridge connected a small island to the Preserve and there were oyster beds and sand bars along the banks.  It was wild, serene and beautiful.

Nymphs & lively spirits of streams and lakes

Nymphs were lively spirits who lived near streams and lakes and protected trees in the forest. They definitely have been protecting these oaks for hundreds of years.

Matanzas River at Princess Place

Matanzas River runs from Princess Place Preserve, Washington Oaks State Park and Matanzas Fort.

Looking Glass at Princess Place Preserve

I wanted to capture the clouds reflection in the water. The looking glass for the Intracoastal waterway at Princess Place Preserve.  Did Princess Angela ever gaze into the water to see her reflection?

Princess Place Preserve - Old Florida

We decided to visit old Florida at Princess Place Preserve this afternoon.  It was purchased by Henry Cutting in 1886 and passed on to his widow Angela Mills Cutting Worden, who eventually married Boris Scherbatoff, an exiled Russian prince. Angela assumed the title of princess and it was then that the once named "Cherokee Grove" came to be known as "Princess Place.

Collage of Early Spring

The Eastern Red bud tree is in full bloom as well as the Indian Hawthorns and Camellia bushes Springs early arrival in North Florida. Warm weather brings vibrant colors and Red Cardinals.

Let's Go for a Ride - Stage Coach in Mosinee

This is a Stage Coach located in front of the Stage Coach Restaurant in Mosinee, Wisconsin.  I liked this photo because it is a reminiscing of the old western coach and how difficult it must have been to ride in one particularly during the winter months. Goodbye snow, this is the last of the snow photos I will be publishing.  Spring is in Florida and snow and ice is still plaguing the mid-west.

Beautiful Girl on a Beautiful Beach

Time to take my beautiful daughter to the beach.

It's time for Ocean Waves, Beach & Sand

There has been too many cold days.  It's time for ocean waves, beach and sand!

Vilano Marina at Dusk

One lone sail boat at Vilano Marina late this afternoon.  The sunset was a brillant red by the time the sun dropped behind the boat.

Vilano Beach Sunset

My daughter works in Vilano Beach and the last several evenings there have been spectacular views of the sun setting across the waterway.  This is a view of the sun setting over St. Augustine taken from the marina at Vilano Beach. 

Camilla Blossoms and the Birds are Singing

 I have six Camilla bushes that are over 8 feet tall and there are hundreds of blossoms lining my driveway.  Dark pink to multiple colors as well as white.  It is time for spring to finally chase cold weather away and bring out the flowers. The birds were singing like a choir, flying from bush to bush.