January 13, 2014

Englewood, FL & a walk in the Manasota Scrub Preserve

What a difference a day makes!  Monte was still feeling miserable yesterday but today he told me he was able to breathe better than he has been able to in over a month.  Yeah.

We felt like getting a little exercise so we took a ride to the Manasota Scrub Preserve, located just a little more than a mile from where we are staying.

 

 

 

 

Manasota Scrub Preserve is located just off of SR776 at the intersection of Bridge Street and Manasota Beach Road.

 

 

 

 

 

There is a small parking area at the trailhead.

The 145-acre Manasota Scrub Preserve was purchased by Sarasota County through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program.

There are picnic benches and a bike rack located at the trailhead.

I picked up a park brochure before we started on the trail.

This sign describes what can be found in the wetlands but unfortunately currently there is no wetland.

Within a few feet on the trail we encountered this little guy.  He didn't appear to be too wary of us until we got too close and he "ran" off into the brush.

I had brought along a loaf of bread that was just starting to get stale. 

 I sprinkled crumbs as we walked.

THE BEAUTY THAT IS FLORIDA

 

 

Monte was glad he had  brought his binoculars with him when he spotted a few osprey.

Even though the entire trail is only about a mile long

 there are a few benches along the way to rest or just simply take a moment to soak up the natural surrounding beauty.

All too soon we had finished the short trail and found ourselves back at the parking lot.

 

Our cat, Annie, has a sweet tooth (just like her daddy).  Monte shares most of his sweets including ice cream with her-her favorite treat is tapioca pudding.  But it has to be a certain brand.  Once, wanting to save a few pennies, I bought a store brand and Annie wouldn’t eat it because it wasn’t Kozy Shack. 

When Monte began eating a piece of licorice,

 

 

 

 

 

Annie began swatting at his hand and then gently nipped him.  We are not sure why-the only reason we can think of it that she doesn’t like the smell.

 

 

 

 

Later on, when Monte was eating a lemon cookie, we discovered that Annie must like lemon because she licked the cookie until there was nothing but a small sticky, mushy lump remaining.