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Painted Pathways by Meghan

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Painted Pathways by Meghan

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🌴Wander Florida’s wild side with me. 🌿

🦌 I capture places that are hidden gems, forest trails, and wildlife both on camera and canvas—while uncovering hidden history and fun facts along the way. 🎨

08/20/2026

As I was sorting through my photos and deciding what to paint next, I came across this baby barred owl—and that sweet little face immediately made me smile. I was so excited to spot him in the tree that day! What do you think—should I paint a baby owl? 🦉🎨

08/13/2026

I almost missed him. 🐸

🌿 From a second glance to an oil painting—in 25 seconds.

This 2' x 3' painting will be at the Ocala Fine Arts Festival. :)

08/06/2026

The way this white-tailed doe stood there reminded me of a kangaroo. Does anyone else see it? 🦘🦌

I’m originally from Michigan, and the size difference between the white-tailed deer there and here in Florida is dramatic! Florida deer commonly weigh around 90–125 pounds, while Michigan deer can range from roughly 90 pounds to well over 200, with some large bucks approaching 300.

My friend calls the Florida deer “big brown dogs,” and I can see why!

07/30/2026

🦋 I spotted this Gulf Fritillary butterfly delicately feeding on the peacock flowers in my backyard. 🌺

These vibrant butterflies only spend about 2–4 weeks in their adult form after living 2–3 weeks as their spiky caterpillar counterparts. As caterpillars, they're best known for munching on passionflowers.

They absorb toxic compounds from the passionflower, making themselves much less appealing to hungry birds. What an incredible survival strategy!

07/28/2026

🐛Is this To***co Hornworm about to light up a ho**ah and chat with Alice in Wonderland?
I know I've just made every gardener cringe by posting this since they're one of the worst nightmares for tomatoes, peppers, and other garden plants. After a month of devouring leaves, they burrow underground to transform into pupae. A couple of weeks later, they emerge as impressive nocturnal sphinx moths. Nature has a funny way of turning a nuisance into something beautiful.

***coHornworm

07/23/2026

Florida's most recognizable spring residents: the Peninsula Cooters.
They're famous for basking in the sun (in true Florida fashion), can stay submerged for hours before coming up for air, and can weigh up to 35 pounds.

At Silver Springs, some of the regular turtle residents have even earned names from park staff and frequent visitors. One of the most recognizable is Jane, thanks to a noticeable gash on her shell. I'm not sure whether these two have names yet, but they certainly looked like they were enjoying the Florida sunshine.

📍Silver Springs State Park, Florida

07/21/2026

Did they step out of a watercolor painting?

I took this in Cedar Key after quietly paddling toward a flock of Roseate Spoonbills... only for them to fly off the moment I got remotely close. The few times I actually managed to sneak within camera range, the current had other plans and slowly swept me right back out again.

Eventually, patience & perseverance won. Some photos are earned.

Roseate Spoonbills get their fun pink color from shrimp and other crustaceans they eat—the same reason flamingos are pink. Their spoon-shaped bill isn't just unique-looking either. They sweep it side to side through shallow water until they feel prey, then snap it shut.

07/16/2026

I barely caught this shot.

I spotted this Brown Pelican from my kayak in Cedar Key, Florida, and I managed to snap the photo just in time.

Brown Pelicans are one of the only pelican species that plunge-dive from the air, hitting the water from heights of up to 60 feet to catch fish. They have air sacs beneath their skin that act like built-in airbags, cushioning the impact.

A little Cedar Key history: During the 1880s, Cedar Key was Florida's second-largest city and a bustling Gulf Coast port. Today, it's a much quieter place—perfect for paddling, fishing, and watching wildlife.

07/14/2026

Painted like a flamingo with a name inspired by kitchenware. Meet the Roseate Spoonbill.

In the late 1800s, Roseate Spoonbills were hunted relentlessly because their beautiful feathers were prized for decorating women's hats. Their populations plummeted before conservation laws finally gave them a chance to recover.

Thankfully, they're thriving once again.

07/09/2026

This beautiful sandhill crane finally stopped yelling long enough for me to get a photo!
If you've ever heard one, you know why they're famous for their loud, trumpeting calls—they can be heard from as far as 2.5 miles away! They get especially noisy if they see my husky with me. 🙄

One of my favorite things to watch is their dancing. They leap, bow, flap their wings, and toss sticks into the air as part of their courtship. Once they choose a mate, they typically stay together for life. I get way too mushy over things like that.

They're also living pieces of history. Fossil evidence suggests sandhill cranes are among the oldest bird species still around today. One of the most important stops on their migration is along Nebraska's Platte River, where hundreds of thousands gather each spring. According to the Audubon Society, they've likely been returning to this area for more than 10,000 years. However, there are many Florida Sandhill Cranes that stay in Florida year round.

Whats the loudest wild bird you've ever heard?

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