We are still trying to adjust to the cool weather and life in The Villages of Florida. Fortunately, we have been able to play Hand-and-Foot cards and golf with the Starr’s which make it a bit less difficult.

On Sunday, January 12, we drove to the Lake Panasoffkee WMA west of The Villages with lots of optimism, photographing a Pied-billed Grebe aloe the way, only to find that the WMA was open for hunting on THAT day and we were strongly discouraged from walking any of the trails—another wasted trip!

After again researching eBird, I drove to Hogeye Preserve in The Villages on Monday to walk the 2.8-mile Hogeye Preserve Pathway. This proved to be a decent walk even though it bordered a golf course much of its length, and yielded several good photo ops.

Kay and I ventured out to walk the short Fenney Springs Nature Trail on Tuesday. Despite it’s short length, I was able to take a few photos.

After the photo walk, we decided to try one of The Villages’ Pitch and Putt golf courses. With holes ranging from 40-110 yards in length, these courses focus on shots around the greens. With holes ranging from 40-110 yards in length, this course is shorter than championship courses which are 300-400 yards in length, and is a focused on shots around the greens. We played Marsh View Pitch and Putt Golf Course and it was loads of fun.