I headed off for the Farmer's Market one day last week because I was missing a couple of ingredients for a recipe.
It was sunny but not too hot. A good day for a walk-about and it was early enough. So I drove right past the Farmer's Market and on to Hickey Creek Park.
This county park has over 800 acres of preserved land and includes pine and scrub flatwoods, marshes, swamps, and palm and oak forests. Even staying on the walking paths, it feels like hiking in a jungle. Hickey Creek Park is less well-known and much quieter than some of the other nature parks in this area. I like it that way. I walked an hour or so.
As I turned the car around I realized that while I'd enjoyed the quiet jungle, I hadn't been able to photograph any birds. So I decided to stop at Franklin Locks Park, where I'd be sure to see at least the usual suspects. And that was all I did get pictures of -- nothing special, but fun to watch on an ordinary errand day. Next stop finally was the Farmer's Market -- the real reason I was out and about.
There's an enclosure for a few farm animals. There to entertain children and photographers. What is it about goats? Especially miniature ones. I can't walk past them without taking a few pictures. This mama didn't look old enough for all that responsibility.
The Market sells a few starters and potted plants -- almost as good as visiting a nursery for photo ops. And then it was inside the barn-like structure for the whole reason I was out and about on that lovely day:**
On that day, I really wanted to make a watermelon/cherry tomato salad. Both of those major ingredients are in season here right now. I swear we go through a ton of these little beauties a week.
The walk was great, I got some pictures, dinner was delicious. We are grateful.
** These pictures were all taken Wednesday. Friday and Saturday nights our temperatures dipped into the mid-30s, so I have to hope that flowers and fruit (and birds and beasts) all survived the Florida winter weather. (Which I don't even like to complain about, because it's so much better than so many places. And the sun is still shining.)
LINKING to the following, with thanks to the hosts:
MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; and SATURDAY CRITTERS;
Beautiful blog
Posted by: Rajani singh | May 03, 2022 at 09:00 AM
Hello Sallie, Thank you for your comment which I haven't seen, because the moment I ticked, it disappeared. A tick is to post, not delete.
So please could you visit again. I'm so sorry about this, it shouldn't have happened.
Posted by: Breathtaking | February 11, 2022 at 05:45 AM
Goats can be such stinkers, but their personalities are so contagious. I thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful walk about to the farmers market.
Posted by: Yvonne | February 05, 2022 at 08:31 AM
Your nature photos are really enjoyable. I wish our farmers' market wasn't so wintery: nothing really grows here in February. So we have potatoes and other root cellar items.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Posted by: mae | February 05, 2022 at 08:02 AM
Looks like a fun walk!
Posted by: Catherine Sokolowski | February 05, 2022 at 06:55 AM
It would be such fun to see a goat at the local vegetable market. They have such fabulous faces and some seem to put a lot of trust in humans whether warranted or not. Watermelon/tomato salad? Sounds like this could hold the secret to a long and healthy life. :)
Posted by: Penelope Notes | February 05, 2022 at 04:58 AM
Hello Sallie,:=)Parks that are not as well frequented as others, or as well known, are the places I like to visit. There tranquil environment suits my disposition, and you can still find wildlife and take beautiful nature shots. You must have really enjoyed your walk there, and you captured some Starlings, which is my post today.Funny how they all line up on the wires like that.
The Farmer's Market had some wonderful flowers and fruit on display, and I enjoyed seeing the goats. Your salad sounds tasty, Have never tried it, but will do so now. A varied and enjoyable post Sallie, thank you.:=)
Posted by: Breathtaking | February 05, 2022 at 04:39 AM
Hello Sallie,
What a great outing, I would enjoy seeing all these birds and the farmers market with the cute critters. Love the goats too. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend.
Posted by: Eileen | February 05, 2022 at 03:02 AM
Beautiful bird sightings! The birds on wire is a creative shot. Also liked the young mother goat and kid shot.
Posted by: Shiju Sugunan | February 05, 2022 at 02:46 AM
So lovely to see your birds, flowers and the cute goats! We have to content with indoor markets at the moment.
Posted by: riitta k | February 04, 2022 at 06:52 AM
Greetings and Salutations! What a wonderful day for a walk in a park and finding watermelon and tomatoes at the Farmer's Market. It was such a pleasure visiting your blog today.
Posted by: Jm, Illinois, U.S.A. | February 04, 2022 at 02:34 AM
Cherry tomatoes and water melon sounds like a delicious salad. Very summery. We are very much into warming soups here. You have a number of wonderful nature parks with all manner of wildlife to enjoy. I do enjoy your wanderings that you share with us.
Posted by: Fun60 | February 03, 2022 at 10:47 PM
What a great detour you took, with lovely sights to see. A watermelon tomato salad sounds delicious. We have a long, long wait for in-season watermelon here.
Posted by: Lorrie Orr | February 03, 2022 at 08:54 PM
Sometimes I look forward to retirement years, when I could do such things. Have a wonderful weekend.
Worth a Thousand Words
Posted by: Photo Cache | February 03, 2022 at 06:26 PM
Sounds like you have some really large, beautiful parks in your area. Goats seems to have the perfect combination of cute and comical!
Posted by: Peter B. | February 03, 2022 at 03:28 PM
Goats, especially baby goats are very photographable.
I love your hike, and the fact that you went somewhere else for bird pics.
Garden Centers and Farmer's Markets make wonderful photo ops also. Amazing that you have to pay to get in.
Posted by: Alan | February 03, 2022 at 01:59 PM
I have your letters and your comments do go through, for some reason they just need to be approved....We had two computers down this week so I am behind yet again.....
Posted by: Michelle Banks | February 03, 2022 at 12:00 PM
...I love cherry tomatoes and grew a couple of varieties in my garden last summer. They grew will, but slip open, what a pain.
Posted by: tomthebackroadstraveller | February 03, 2022 at 11:38 AM
Neat photo's. Just make sure you have a camera phone on you all the time, that way you don't miss a shot
Posted by: Bill | February 03, 2022 at 11:30 AM
Great shots.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | February 03, 2022 at 10:56 AM
First, Sallie, it was very nice to chat with you earlier this week. We are looking forward to our short stay in FL in the net week or so. Hopefully, the warmer temps will continue and we will surely not miss the ice and snow forecast for many areas in the next few days, including NH. How wonderful to be able to go to a farmer's market and find such treats and watermelon and tomato salad is very good. Hickory Creek Park looked like a great place to explore.
Posted by: Beatrice | February 03, 2022 at 10:52 AM
Those colorful tomatoes make me long for summer!
Posted by: Michele Morin | February 03, 2022 at 10:07 AM
I can't believe all the parks and nature preserves around you. Once a goat tried to eat my dress that had flowers on it! I am now craving homegrown tomatoes. But the snow!
Posted by: colleen Looseleaf | February 03, 2022 at 08:04 AM
Looks like a lovely place.
Posted by: Linda W. | February 02, 2022 at 09:59 PM
i would LOVE to go to a farmers market right about now!! thanks for capturing those beautiful flowers for us, it's been so long....
i heard someone turned the heat off in florida!!!
Posted by: Debbie | February 02, 2022 at 08:28 PM
Truly nice to make an excuse to go out for a walk. Watermelon and tomatoes together sounds interesting. Do you put a dressing on that?
Posted by: Gaelyn | February 02, 2022 at 05:17 PM
Hi Sallie,
what a wonderful walk about. You got some beautiful photos of the birds, flowers and goats. I love seeing goats, they can be funny to watch. Love those tomatoes, I want some. :) Enjoy your week!
Posted by: somewhereinireland | February 02, 2022 at 11:28 AM
There are so many parks and preserves in Florida. You found a beautiful one. Lovely photos!
Posted by: Carol | February 02, 2022 at 10:05 AM
Beautiful park, birds, flowers. Adorable goats too :)
Posted by: Sami | February 02, 2022 at 06:44 AM
Gosh, you had a lovely trip out! Beautiful birds and gorgeous scenery and a nice farmers market too. Those tomatoes look so good! I can eat them like sweets :)
Posted by: Lisa | Handmade in Israel | February 02, 2022 at 02:04 AM
Sallie - I love trees with plants growing on them - that's the jungle! The cherry tomatoes look delicious, and it is marvelous that you have a farmer's market at this time of year. Tomorrow our high will be 13 degrees, and the snow is swirling around outside!!! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
Posted by: Angie | February 01, 2022 at 08:29 PM
Hi Sallie, I certainly would love to walk around Hickey Creek Park. It looks gorgeous. You saw wonderful sights and those goats from the Farmer’s market are very cute. I would definitely be in the animal enclosure right along with you. The flowers and produce would be another draw for me. I have been hearing about the iguanas falling out of the trees with your cold snap. Did you see any? That must have been really something.
Posted by: DeniseinVA | February 01, 2022 at 04:29 PM
Wonderful array of photos ~ my favorites are the little goats ~ so cute ~ Xo
Wishing you peace in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | February 01, 2022 at 03:08 PM
Wonderful landscape, there are fantastic landscapes and it must be fine for a walk. Here we have very stormy weather and we stay at Home, I prefer reading books, especially poems.
Happy MosaicMonday
Posted by: Heidrun | February 01, 2022 at 09:59 AM
Such an interesting detour! I escaped the south Florida "cold" spell for single digits here in Connecticut.
Posted by: Kenneth C Schneider | February 01, 2022 at 06:58 AM
Looks like a fun market.
Beautiful photos of your walk, Sallie.
The goats are so cute!
Posted by: Veronica Lee | January 31, 2022 at 09:29 PM
Good to combine a must do with a Want to do! A great spot for a walk and the market looks fun. Yum on those little cherry toms.
Posted by: Sondra | January 31, 2022 at 06:19 PM
Goats can be real characters.
Posted by: William Kendall | January 31, 2022 at 05:47 PM
Wonderful greenery on your hike and beautiful flowers, park birds, and cute goats, Sallie. A great day out in nature. I heard about the cold front that came down to Florida and hope it is over by now and did not do much damage. We are expecting an Arctic Blast this week here in Colorado with snow and sub zero temps for a few days
Posted by: Pat | January 31, 2022 at 02:09 PM
That was a lovely diversion on your trip to the Farmer's Market. How nice to have Farmer's markets in the winter. :) Little goats are the cutest!!
Posted by: ellen b. | January 31, 2022 at 09:23 AM
You got some great photos on your walk-about. I would love to have some of those tomatoes.
Posted by: Taken For Granted | January 31, 2022 at 07:38 AM
I know what you mean. I hesitated to show how cold it got here but I was tickled by the 0% chance of snow in the forecast! lol Love seeing those neat birds and how much we can see even when we are close to home. Enjoy your week! I'm loving the FL strawberries right now!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | January 31, 2022 at 07:16 AM
Hello,
Sounds like a great day, with a walk in the park, beautiful birds and the farmers market. The goats are cute. The tomatoes look delicious. The salad sounds yummy. Have a great day and a happy new week!!
Posted by: Eileen | January 31, 2022 at 02:13 AM
That was a nice fun errand day.
Posted by: diane | January 30, 2022 at 11:45 PM
We have got watermelon, cherries, nectarines and apricots here right now over the Summer season. i think i would've bought some of the tomatoes though, those are favourites here too
Posted by: Amy Franks | January 30, 2022 at 09:56 PM
Hi Sallie! That sure looks like it was a nice enjoyable day out. I love those little goats too, they are so adorable. I hope you are keeping warm this cold Florida weekend. Stay safe out there!
Posted by: Martha | January 30, 2022 at 03:52 PM
What a beautiful walk!
Posted by: Margi | January 30, 2022 at 02:04 PM