Our visit to Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park would have never happened without a chat with the helpful park ranger at Big Lagoon State Park. She mentioned that we could see wild orchids and pitcher plants just a couple of miles away, and we jumped at the chance!
Continue reading “Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park”Safe Boating Week Starts Today!
With National Safe Boating week and the release of the 2018 Boating Accident Statistical Report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages boaters to focus on simple, effective steps that make boating safer.
Though Florida’s boating season never really ends, Memorial Day weekend marks the traditional start nationwide and is a great opportunity to focus on safety. With nearly 1 million registered boats in the state, people safely enjoy boating every day. However, each year, FWC officers respond to tragic and preventable boating accidents.
Continue reading “Safe Boating Week Starts Today!”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”Another Firefly Event – Lake Norris
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”
Itchetucknee Springs Needs Our Help
Ichetucknee Springs, affectionately referred to as “The Itch”, is the site of the April 20 Gorgeous Ladies on the Water kayak trip, and it is a stunning place. Popular in the summer with tubers, the headspring is a first-magnitude spring (flow of at least 100 cubic feet of water every second). The shallow spring run is populated with many other springs, including nine that are named, as it channels water approximately six miles to the Santa Fe River. The Santa Fe later joins the Suwannee River, which carries water from The Itch all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
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”
Updated Information Regarding Freshwater Turtle Die-Off
In an earlier entry, I described a turtle die-off that has been occurring among Florida freshwater turtles, particularly along the St. John’s River. I have updated information to share.
What do we know?
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports that about 300 sick and dead turtles have been found in the past year. There are no external injuries or obvious signs of infection, and no toxins have been found, including those that could be caused by an algae bloom like red tide.
Continue reading “Updated Information Regarding Freshwater Turtle Die-Off”Fireflies at Blue Springs State Park
UPDATE:
We had a terrific time at Lights of Nights at Blue Springs State Park.
Continue reading “Fireflies at Blue Springs State Park”Wildcat Lake, Ocala National Forest
Yesterday was the third Saturday of the month, and since my naturalist classes are done, I was finally able to paddle with GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies On the Water). GLOW is a group of friends who meet regularly to kayak, SUP, and otherwise enjoy the beautiful waters in our area. This day, we met early on an overcast morning at Wildcat Lake, located in the Big Scrub of the Ocala National Forest.
Continue reading “Wildcat Lake, Ocala National Forest”
What’s going on with Florida freshwater turtles?
We find them often in the pool: flat turtles with leathery shells, long necks and odd noses. Sometimes the shells have a subtle pattern that looks like dark stains left on a dark green tablecloth. . . maybe last year’s Thanksgiving gravy that never really came out in the laundry. Sometimes they are over a foot long, but once Steve rescued what must have been a young turtle, less than 6 inches from nose to tail. We put them in a large bucket and relocate them to Lake Eustis. If I were a turtle in need of rescue, I would want Steve to find me and put me in a lake because he wonders about turtles he has saved for long after I have forgotten them.
Continue reading “What’s going on with Florida freshwater turtles?”