For the first time on this trip, we stayed right inside a state park.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is large and much of it is scrub and sand pine. Even in winter in Florida, it is often very hot during the day. We started early and completed our hike before 10AM, and even then were starting to overheat.

During WWII the area now encompassed by the park was used as a secret radar research base, which must’ve been a bit hellish before air conditioning was widely available.

Early yesterday morning we explored Kitching Creek Nature Trail, which was only a short walk from our cabin. Dew still covered many flowers (Both photos by quoderat.)

There is often an interesting mix of palm, water-loving cypress and slash pine in the park (and the moon). (Photo by quoderat.)

A curious mockingbird observed from a dead tree. (Photo by zanna.)

And an osprey also remained calmly perched by the trail as we photographed it. (Photo by quoderat.)

As we headed back to the cabin, a bluejay landed briefly and then flew away. (Photo by quoderat.)