Category Archives: Okra Paradise Farms

Half way between Atlanta and Orlando and all the way to paradise!

Heron in cypress in pond 2026-04-26

Happened to see a heron land in a cypress tree.

[Movie: Heron landing (52M)]
Movie: Heron landing (52M)

Not the usual heron tree; one to the east.

I’m pretty sure it’s a Great Blue Heron. Those and anhingas are all that usually nest in the middle of the pond.

I was assisted by Blondie (mysteriously not filthy) and Honeybun (not visible).

Here is some video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1965142474124988/

https://youtu.be/TLRKt6If5Qs Continue reading →

Almost dry pond 2026-04-25

After chainsawing through late deadfall aftereffects of Hurricane Helene (trees weekend by that storm and blown down later), I took these pictures of the pond.

It’s very low. We’re in a drought, in case you haven’t heard.

[Very low pond, 2026-04-25 --jsq for OPF]
Very low pond, 2026-04-25 –jsq for OPF

Here’s a video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/822238487605857/

https://youtu.be/P4oOE9daMIU

No dogs this time. They find chainsawing boring.

No Gretchen, either. She ran away to the frozen north. Something about baseball and trains. Continue reading →

Wild Azalea, Cinnamon Fern, Tulip Trees 2026-04-02

A stroll after breakfast into the Desolation of Helene.

[Wild Azaleas]
Wild Azaleas

I didn’t video many of the blown-down pines, oaks, maples, etc. Some of them I will saw later to re-open some of the paths. Hurricanes: I do not like them.

Meanwhile, there are native wild azaleas, sphagmum moss, crawfish, cinnamon fern, and a few still-standing tulip trees.

Plus muddy dogs, two of them visible; the other two showed up shortly. Continue reading →