Crossing Jewfish Creek marks the official transition from Mainland Florida to the Florida Keys. It lies at the end of the infamous 18-Mile Stretch, the part of US 1 where perfectly nice people lose their minds and drive as if they are the only person on the planet who wants to get to the Keys (or needs to get home from the Keys). Since Henry Flagler completed the Overseas Highway in 1910, we’ve all been trying to be in the same place at the same time on that road! At any rate, we almost always open the windows as we cross the Jewfish Creek bridge so we can get a breath of fresh Keys air. I recently learned that the distinctive shade of blue used for the median barriers is called Belize Blue.
Continue reading “A Naturalist’s Trip From Jewfish Creek to Big Pine Key”No Name Key
With both the wind and tide against us, we decided to paddle around No Name Key for our Friday adventure. This was not our finest hour: we forgot the sunscreen. Although we completed our course in under 4 hours, we were burnt to a crisp and exhausted at the end of it.
Continue reading “No Name Key”Big Lagoon State Park
Big Lagoon State Park is the westernmost state Park in Florida. On the day we visited, we were dodging rain and would have liked to stay longer…so we will plan a return trip soon. Even during our brief visit, we managed to paddle across the channel to Perdido Key, commune with hermit crabs and snails, climb an observation tower, and check out the camping loop.
Continue reading “Big Lagoon State Park”Yankeetown and Withlachoochee Gulf Preserve
Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve , 1001 Old Rock Road, Yankeetown, FL 34498
This is a great place to spend half a day or so if you’re in the area of Yankeetown and Inglis, and there’s no admission fee! This 413-acre property was purchased with a grant from the Florida Community Trust. Further grants from Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program, Felburn Foundation, Southwest Florida Water Management District and Friends of the Withlachoochee Gulf Preserve have provided for development of the Preserve land and infrastructure. Since 2009, the Preserve has provided wonderful experiences for visitors.
Continue reading “Yankeetown and Withlachoochee Gulf Preserve”Red Tide resources
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports today that Karenia brevis, the microscopic organism responsible for Red Tide, has been observed in Hillsborough, Sarasota, and Bay counties over the past week. This is normal, and no fish kills or respiratory irritation related to red tide has been reported in the same time period. There has been no observation of K. brevis along Florida’s East Coast. In short, all is well. Continue reading “Red Tide resources”
WWW – 2.20.2019
Australian Pines
Let’s start with the good news about the Australian Pine. Casuarina equisetifolia (also Casuarina cunninghamiana and Casuarina glauca) is a beautiful tree that grows up to 150′. The wood splits easily and burns cleanly; the sap is drinkable; and the gum is edible. . .if you are stuck on a deserted island, you probably would find the Australian Pine a good companion for survival. It provides shade and produces a calming rustle when the breeze moves through it. It was introduced to Florida to stabilize canals and ditches.
Continue reading “Australian Pines”Hey…who beat me to the beach?
This morning I stepped on to this tiny little beach at the Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center, and found that I was not the first!
At first, I thought it was a raccoon, but the fingers don’t look nearly long enough. Possums, too, have long fingers. After a little sleuthing, I think it may be a river otter or a skunk…but then I second guess myself and go back to thinking it was a raccoon. What do you think?