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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.

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Another Firefly Event – Lake Norris

Thistle at Lake Norris in Eustis, Florida
Thistle at Lake Norris in Eustis, 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”

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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.

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Coyotes in Florida

PHOTO CREDIT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission


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.

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Nature, Health, and Wellbeing — Are They Related?

Being outside and surrounded by nature has an exhilarating effect on me. Put me on a hiking trail for an hour, and I become simultaneously energized and relaxed – stronger, happier – more peaceful. And how these emotions become magnified when I’m on the water! But is there any “real” evidence to validate these benefits? There sure is, and we will explore that evidence in this series.

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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”