This collection of photos are from an assortment of short hikes I took in mid to late May 2025. The magnolia is a native tree and planted in many local gardens. This one is at Washington Oaks Gardens and is a young specimen.
For a change of pace, I walked the interior trails of Princess Place, parking and then walking an assortment of trails strung together.
As I was nearing the main road, I noted a doe and her sheltered fawn in the meadow, a wide spot on the Equestrian Trail at Princess Place Preserve. As I was about to cross the covered bridge I first heard this fellow give a loud croak. He was nearby… he’s a regular fisherman on Stiles Creek.
Next hike was to Bulow Woods, taking in the mid-section starting at Walter Boardman Lane, traveling north and then south. The northernmost trail is still closed, since 2022 hurricane damage.
Next hike was North Peninsula State Park, off of High Bridge Road, just south of Flagler Beach. The area has scrubby oaks, palmetto, palms, Red Bay and Magnolia, as well as an assortment of Coastal shrubs.
I usually combine River to Sea Preserve with Washington Oaks Gardens, the two parks being close together along A1A. The next photos were taken on Friday, the 23rd at Washington Oaks Gardens, a park with several parts including long nature trail, formal gardens, fishing opportunities, and picnic areas. I especially love the Rose Garden:
I’ve now seen Spanish Bayonet in several spots. It’s fairly rare but once you know it, unmistakable. I ran across this specimen at Washington Oaks Gardens.
It is interesting to download these digital photos. They’re all out of order so I have to try and do my best to remember where I took them. Using film is easier and harder… you have to get it processed or do it yourself. Years… decades ago I processed film (110, 126 and 35mm) at Eastman Kodak for a while. Helped to develop a good eye for color and composition, although that seems to be a natural talent of mine.
Hope you enjoyed the photo shoot. America, have a great Memorial Day weekend. Remember all those who fought and died to keep the flame of freedom alive!
Much love,
Eliza
Sunny's Journal 
Beautiful photographs.
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I love the gnarly tree covered path and all the flowers. Never know the names of these lovely wild flowers so it’s great to have names included. Thank you for a relaxing few minutes of beauty.
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Gorgeous. Thank you 🙂
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My husband has been a professional photographer for 40 years. Your photos are beautiful!
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Thanks, Anon. Just using my natural “good eye” and a point and shoot camera, hand-held. I wonder what I could do with a real camera… Still, I enjoy taking snapshots of things that catch my eye. I’ve always noticed little things along the trail, wild flowers, trees, clouds, reflections in water. This is what I’m drawn to now. Thanks for the response. ~ Eliza
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Lovely to walk with you through these two places. It’s fun to see through your lens. I love roses and seeing them in bloom. Great pics and commentary.
You’ve gathered some amazing posts and intel. Like you, I didn’t vote the years of Obama. The first year against Hillary, I didn’t know why, I just knew she was bad news and not to be trusted. And he had no substance. I became a conscientious objector to voting, and it was the beginning of questioning and seeing the lies. I didn’t vote again until Trump.
Thanks for all your efforts to find all these posts, summarize many of them and your fantastic commentary. Hugs on this memorial weekend. ~ Alice
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