The Nature Walk Project – Month 2: November

Location: Orlando, Florida from 11:00am-12:00pm

Weather: Sunny, 69°F – High: 74°F  Low: 65°F

It’s already been a month since my first Nature Walk! During October the temperatures crept up to the high 80’s and even the low 90’s, but now they’ve dipped back down into the 70’s. I suspect this won’t last long and we’ll get few more weeks of warmer weather before the real winter weather settles in.

As I step onto the shell path, there are scattered Fall leaves and down by the water’s edge there are fresh green plants with delicate white flowers.  There is a near constant breeze today and it creates a pretty rustling noise among the trees on the nearby island.  I sit on the wooden bench that overlooks the lake and the cool breeze gently swirls my hair, while the brightly shining sun warms my back.  The branches on a nearby Cypress Tree (Taxodium distichum) bounce in the wind and I notice a small, abandoned wasp nest.  After many attempts, I finally manage to catch a clear photo of it.

As I continue down the path, I can’t help but notice that the Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), that lines the path and circles around the entire lake, has started to bloom.  It fills the water’s edge with bursts of feathery, mauve colored mounds.  I run my fingers along them as I step onto the wooden bridge. I can see that the water is clear today and peering over the railing, I can see straight to bottom of the small pool above the falls. Lily pads are blooming and the flowers bob back and forth as fish swim beneath them.  The near constant wind is stronger on the bridge and it carries the light scent of lake water, reminding me of all the other lakes that I’ve had the pleasure of visiting over the years.

I let the gentle sound of the falls calm me as I watch the fish darting to and fro among the reeds.  Occasionally I can hear bird calls in the background and overhead. Fully restored by the serenity of this spot I continue on my way, circling around the lake, all the while snapping pictures of the micro bits of nature tucked here and there.  A gentle breeze and the warm sun accompany me. This is November.

Learn more about the Nature Walk Project here: The Nature Walk Project