The Many Lakes of Lakeland, Florida

 

 

When you drive around Lakeland, you pass lots of lakes. The City of Lakeland says that there are a total of 38 named lakes within City limits, as well as numerous smaller lakes. Sizes among the 38 named lakes range from 2.5 acres (Lake Blanton) to 2,272 acres (Lake Parker) of which 17 are natural and 21 are man-made. Lake Parker is the large lake behind my condo development. Today I’m sharing a few photos of another lake I passed in my drives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Summer in Central Florida

 As I reported recently, Florida is experiencing a severe drought, marking its most significant water shortage since 2012. Driven by massive rainfall deficits and collapsed groundwater levels, regional authorities have enacted strict water restrictions. We're now in the rainy season and are getting showers more often. This has helped but has not solved the problem. We need frequent short showers to build up groundwater levels. A heavy rain doesn't really help as the sandy soil cannot retain the moisture. 

 

Image via Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

  

Today I'm sharing summer skies here at the condo with increased darker clouds. Many afternoons moisture builds up over the Gulf and moves across Florida with showers. Sometimes there is thunder and lightening. I sit and listen as it moves in and out.  I don't really go outside to capture storms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you're enjoying summer wherever you are!

 

 

 

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Kayaking at Kensington Metro Park, Michigan

 

 

Today’s photos are courtesy of Heather. My nephew James & his wife Heather went kayaking this last weekend at Kensington Metro Park, Milford, Michigan. Surrounding Kent Lake, the park covers 4,543 acres. It has wooded hilly terrain and surrounds 1,200-acre Kent Lake.

 

It’s a beautiful day in Michigan. Let’s go kayaking on Kent Lake with James & Heather.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 After the kayaking, Heather and James visited the Kensington Park Farm Center. There is a 150-year-old restored barn and lots of farm animals. Heather loved visiting the kid section with the little goats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Late June Michigan Garden

 

Photos and garden today courtesy of one of my favorite people, multi-talented Heather Murphy. Thank you! 

Today we're again visiting the late June Michigan garden of my nephew, James, and his lovely wife, Heather. She is so talented!  (Slight editing and mosaics by yours-truly.)

Heather has a great base of perennials and always adds lots of annuals.

 

 

 

 

 

Now to finish this post, I'll add a sunset from James & Heather's weekend camping stay at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground, Grayling, Michigan. It's a beauty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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June Afternoon Sky

 

One day the clouds were so beautiful that I had to stop what I was doing and take photos. Sometimes the sky seems to reach all the way up to heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunset on The Balcony

 

 At the end of a busy day, there's nothing better than a restful view of a soft sundown. Here are views from my balcony on that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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