5-2-16  sunset bike ride along the new Loxahatchee bike path:

Don't know if it's officially opened to bikers, but I saw some on it last time we went there and we're running out of time here so I suggested we go for a sunset ride.  As soon as the sun starts dropping down in the sky, it really feels great out here.  We didn't get too far.  By the time we got over to Loxahatchee, it was after 7pm.  Fortunately we were heading against the wind the first part of our ride.  Only made it a little over 3 miles before we decided we better be heading back since there are no lights out that way. 
Here the buzzards are scattering away from us.

Sort of an odd ride.  One side was mostly concrete down to low brush. 

The other side had a canal next to it.  Did see one gator and a few birds.  

 where we turned around we came upon a road.  If we had stayed on the berm path for another 10 miles, we should have come to the main Loxahatchee Federal Park entrance.  I believe there is a path going all the way around the lake now for something like 50 miles.  A month or so ago I did the path going the other direction which was much more interesting.

 heading back hoping to see a great sunset.

 Ken following along

 not the best of sunsets.

That was about the extent of it.

Going to miss the flat biking of south Florida.  But at least we have a Preserve with trails adjacent to our new place in Buford. 

Feb. 21, 2016---biking along the dirt road at Loxahatchee:

When we were at the main entrance to Loxahatchee a couple weeks ago, I picked up a bike trail flier for Loxahatchee and noticed the berm by where we go for sunset is listed as a 15 mile section of the trail.  So I decided to load the bike up on the bike rack and head up to Loxahatchee.  First time I've used the bike rack since we've been here in South Florida!  I had ridden a mile or so down the dirt road before when I've ridden my bike there from our apartment.  This time I wanted to go farther, so I decided to start at the parking lot there in the park.
It was another beautiful winter day here in South Florida!  Some where around 80 degrees, sunny, with big billowing clouds.  I knew I wasn't going to ride the whole 15 miles, but did get about 7 miles before turning back.  That's when I noticed there was more wind then I thought!  It was some work getting back.  Even came across one group of bikers changing a bike tire and another couple resting after the women got exhausted.  But it was a beautiful day and I was in no hurry.  So I stopped and took pictures here and there and just enjoyed the scenery.
a couple motor boats flew by me.  The lake off to the right was quite large.

 the canal on the left continued the whole way, too.

 Looking to the right (north) again.

 I wondered if this was a Balk Eagle.

 love the reflections of the sky in the water.

 more of the lake and reflections.

 and more.

 even saw an alligator and several ducks.

 heading back towards the parking lot

 one of the motor boats that passed me earlier.

 more of the trail.  Some spots had the water blocked.

 Here's that bird in question again.  I only had my p&s camera, so this is blown up pretty much, but it looks to me like this is an Osprey.  A very large one!

 I presume these areas are for flood control.  Didn't look like boats could get from one side to the other as far as I rode, but there were a couple of these areas where water flowed freely. 

 The clouds were thickening up and getting dark.  I wondered if I'd make it back before it rained.

I did.  But it sure poured a little later!  We're having a very wet winter for South Florida.  But it still beats snow and cold up north!

Jan. 20, 2016---another bike ride, another route:

Decided to change it up a bit today.  So I rode into a different subdivision.   This one really had me confused.  I knew it went through from University to Coral Ridge, but ended up driving around and around in there for quite awhile before I finally got my phone out and googled how to get out of there!  It was pretty, though!
Another beautiful day.  Love it when the skies are like this!  I even saved this (actually took it) to save for adding to other photos with not so pretty skies---the magic of photoshop!

 Entering into the golf community.

 Love the entrances to all these subdivisions!

 Even came to a tunnel while riding around in the subdivision.

 found out the subdivision was a lot bigger then I thought it was.

 I knew I needed to get to the other side of that building, but it was a dead end.  So I thought this way might be the way---nope.  When I got the phone out, I found I was about a mile from the exit---the other direction.  At least I'll know if I take this route again.

Jan. 16, 2016---out on the bike again:

Can you believe this is Jan.? 

 You would think I'd get tired of taking pictures while out riding my bike, but I keep seeing more beautiful scenery.  Even on paths I've ridden on many times already.

Jan. 11, 2016---biking:

Must be settling in as residents!  We don't seem to go too far from the apartment anymore!
Wonder what this taller bird is?  Another type of heron? (I now know that's a wood stork)

 Found a pagoda to rest at for a few minutes.

 heading back out on my bike

 a couple of the houses in Heron Lakes subdivision.

 A resident of Heron Lakes subdivision.

 I need a phone with a better camera!

Jan. 9, 2016--biking again:

I love that it's Jan. and I can still ride my bike.  Although I'm not always eager to get out there and do it!  But once I drag myself out there, I do thoroughly enjoy it.  Who wouldn't with views like these?!

 The typical bike path.

 Great Blue Heron flying around Heron Bay residential area.

 every now and then there's an unmanicured area like this---they just call them nature preserves.

 love all the fake waterfalls and such they have at the entrances to the different neighborhoods.

 across the street from the above photo.

 Back at our pool to watch sunset. 

12-10-15  biking to Loxahatchee---

It was another beautiful calm day today.  So I decided to go explore on my bike some more.   Turned onto Heron Bay boulevard again.  

 Love the full and varied foliage along the walking/bike path.

 There's even a lot of shade this way.

 I went back to the dirt road behind Heron Bay and took it the other direction. 

still going.

I knew the tower was by Loxahatchee, so I figured this must go there.

 And it did. 

The water was still very high from all the rain.  This is usually sandy quite a ways out and where a lot of the boats go out of.

 On top of the hill between the 2 sections of lake.

 The lake on the north side.

more of the north side.

This guy was sunning on the south side bank until I walked down there.  Sure glad I scared him because I didn't even see him until after he jumped into the water.  After he jumped, he turned around to watch me.  

 So I decided to leave him to his bank and ride down the berm a ways.  That's when I came across this sign.  I'm not sure what a weed barrier is, but I don't think I saw any!  Would have liked to get a better picture of the bird on top of the sign, though, but all I had with me was my phone.

Now I was in new territory for me.

 It was a pretty ride.

 about .5 miles in, I came to a metal bridge where the 2 lakes come together.  This is looking to the north from the bridge.

 a wider angle looking north.

 I believe this was looking south.  There were a couple pedestrians there who said there was another bridge down the berm a couple more miles.  Since I was already over 7 miles from home, I decided to leave them for another day.

That night we went to dinner with Angie.  Shortly after we dropped her off, there was this amazing sunset.  I don't recall ever seeing pink sun rays like this before.  This is actually a picture Angie took and sent to me.  She had even a better view of it then I did.