Exceptional Adventures in Paradise
Recently Steve and I attended the third in the IFAS series Living with Wildlife. The topic this time was the Florida panther. While reading to prepare for this presentation, I was happy to learn that the Florida Panther, Puma concolor coryi, which once numbered less than 3 dozen, is making a slow recovery.
Continue reading “Florida Panther is Recovering . . . Slowly”
As members of a civil society, we get a great perk: PARKS!
Our municipal, state and federal governments provide beautiful parks for us to visit. If you’re planning a trip to a park, you will find tons of information online, in books, and travel guides. But if you really want to squeeze every last iota of enjoyment out of your park visit, be sure to talk with the park’s ranger(s) when you arrive.
Continue reading “Rangers Help Make the Most of Your Park Visit”
The second in the Living With Wildlife lecture series presented by Volusia County Extension and UF IFAS was on Wild Hogs. This series is terrific! If you can possibly attend, you will find it a worthwhile 90 minutes of your life. Admission is $5, there are light refreshments, and the presenters are knowledgeable and entertaining. The lectures occur on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm. June’s presentation will be on panthers, July’s will be on bears, and August’s on turkey and deer.
Continue reading “Wild Hogs in Florida”
In the interest of seeing as much magic as possible, Steve and I went on a hike with the Highlander Chapter of Florida Trail Association on a recent Saturday night. Every year, the Highlanders assemble and hike through Lake Norris to the primitive campsite, share a splendid potluck dinner, and then hike back in the dark and enjoy a firefly display. Continue reading “Another Firefly Event – Lake Norris”
I recently attended a presentation of the Volusia County Extension Office. Dr. Raoul Boughton, University of Florida, presented a program about coyotes and their effect on Florida ranches. University of Florida presents great programming for the public, and for a naturalist, it’s a great way to add depth to what we know.
The coyote (Canis latrans, var. Eastern) branched off from the eastern and red wolf approximately 150,000 years ago. Because they are closely related, coyotes and wolves overlap in range. Coyotes and red wolves can interbreed. Although red wolves are twice the size of coyotes, they are at risk of becoming outbred because there are so many more coyotes than red wolves.
Continue reading “Coyotes in Florida”
Don’t overlook it! Look up into the oaks and you are very likely to see resurrection fern.
Continue reading “Resurrection Fern”