Exploring the Nature of Florida

The Florida National Scenic Trail

2008-05-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

Many people are probably unaware that there is a 1,400 mile trail that traverses the length and breadth of the Sunshine State and was the brainchild of a man who had spent many years hiking the Appalachian Trail and decided to promote a similar path down here.

The Florida National Scenic Trail starts at the Alabama state line and meanders southward into the Big Cypress National Preserve where solid ground finally gives way to the watery vastness of the Everglades. Travel beyond Big Cypress requires some sort of boat and a whole lot of guts and guile.

We set out to explore two separate sections of the trail this week, one in Seminole County and the other in Orange County, which showcased a diverse set of terrain as well as encounters with a wide variety of wildlife.

Our first hike was in the Little Big Econ State Forest in Seminole County where the trail follows along the steep bluffs of the beautiful Econlockhatchee River (now you know why they just call it the Econ for short). This clear flowing, spring fed stream was brimming with fish as well as bald eagles that were hunting for them in the cool crystalline waters. The next time we hike this section of the trail I'm bringing a fishing pole.

The Big Little Econ

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)

The Econlockhatchee as seen from atop a high river bluff.

The second section we hiked was in the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, which is located in the dense bottom land swamp forests along the St. John's River in eastern Orange County. This segment of the trail was very wild and somewhat spooky due to the remoteness of the location and the omnipresent and dense vegetation that seemed to close in around us wherever we hiked. There was lots of wildlife, especially alligators, tucked away in the thick fastness of this mixed hardwood, cypress and palm forest wilderness. We were sort of glad to emerge unscathed from this place.

This gator blended in too well for comfort.

The Florida Trail winds through a dense palm jungle.

Juvenile barred owl (Strix varia)

Golden silk spider (Nephila clavipes)

Back to the Jurassic

A large Florida woods cockroach (Eurycotis floridana)

A gator checks us out deep in the wilds of the Tosohatchee.

The Florida Trail is easy to access throughout its entire length and there is a great website to help would be hikers plan an excursion: www.floridatrail.org/

Have fun out there kids, but be careful.

Alligator Removal

2008-04-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

As I was leaving the house yesterday I noticed that the truck of the state alligator trapper was parked by the pond nearest to our house. Apparently someone had lodged a complaint about a nuisance gator and they had come to capture it. I dashed back into the house and grabbed my camera and went down to the pond to observe these guys in action.

A lot of the job is waiting and watching for bubbles in the water.

They were able to observe a pair of gators in the pond and captured the smaller of the two. The other gator was a bit older and wiser in such matters and scrammed out of the area altogether. The game wardens waited around for it to reappear but finally gave up and carried their lone captive back to the truck.

Captured!

Watch your fingers bubba.

Taped shut

The really sad part of the story is that once a gator feels comfortable approaching humans it must be destroyed because releasing it elsewhere runs the risk that it would just repeat past behaviors in a new locale. Alligators become habituated to being around humans because people irresponsibly feed them, which is a violation of state law, and this makes them dangerous because they lose their natural fear of humanity. This loss of fear increases encounters and can lead to attacks and serious injuries.

The warden shows me a gator's ear.

As I walked back to my house I passed the game warden's truck and heard a slithering commotion in the back of it. Much to my dismay I discovered that were three other caged captives awaiting their fate as a pair of shoes or a suitcase. Just another day in the life of the Florida Nuisance Alligator Trapper.

Hontoon Island State Park

2008-04-10T07:12:00.001-07:00

Hontoon Island State Park is a wild and beautiful 1,650 acre tract located in western Volusia County that preserves a large island in the St. Johns River. It requires taking a short ferry ride to get to the island (free of charge) and once there it is best explored by kayak or canoe, which are available for a nominal fee. We chose to hike the main nature trail of the park which leads through a variety of forest types and eventually to a gigantic shell mound that was built by the former occupants of this island some 2,000 years ago.

Owl totem (replica of the original)

The first inhabitants of the island were the Timucuan Indians who gathered snails from the shallows of the St. Johns River as a staple food item. Through the years the discarded shells accumulated to form large mounds which can still be seen today.

The Hontoon Island group were known as the Clan of the Owl and they carved a large totem which they placed by the banks of the river to show others their affiliation. The original carving was unearthed in the 20th century and is now on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida in Gainesville. It is said to be the largest native carving ever found in the state.

Visitor ferry to the island

Pine flatwoods occur on the higher areas, while palm and oak hammocks, cypress swamps and marshes border the river and its tributaries. Wildlife is plentiful with West Indian manatees using the shallows around the island as a wintering ground. Other mammals include river otter and raccoon. Wading birds such as herons, ibis and egrets can be readily observed as well as osprey and bald eagles. Watch out for the occasional alligator and on our hike we saw many snakes and lizards.

Dusky pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)

The park is popular for picnics, camping and fishing and there are six rustic cabins in the thickly wooded forest near the campground.

Hammock Trail

Hontoon Dead River

Cypress swamp with abundant ferns along the river

Peacefully fishing the day away along the St. Johns River

This particular locale takes a little extra effort to find and is definitely off the beaten path but is well worth the time spent in transit to see this beautiful gem of the Florida park system.

Be careful where you step on this island.

Florida Faunal Showcase

2008-03-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

I've been extremely lucky over the past few weeks to have had the opportunity to both observe and then successfully photograph some beautiful animals in their native Florida habitat. The gorgeous natural backdrops and brilliant sunlight sure make the job of wildlife photography a joyous experience for this confirmed amateur.

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Royal Terns
Water Sound Beach, FL

Huge fresh water mullet
Wakulla Springs State Park

Bald eagle in a tree above the Suwannee River
Dixie County, FL

Close-up of bald eagle

Green anole in my backyard
Osceola County, FL

Rock Springs Run State Reserve

2008-03-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

This delightful park is located about an hour north of Orlando in the thickly wooded wilds of eastern Lake County. Rock Run Springs State Reserve is 8,750 acres of sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, bayheads, hammocks and swamps. Several artesian springs come together to form the waterway of Rock Run and it is a very popular destination for canoe and kayak enthusiasts.

Along Florida Hwy. 46 near the park entrance

This park attracted my interest because it is a well known habitat for the endangered Florida black bear. Although primarily a nocturnal animal I still wanted to set out deep into woods of this park to see if I could catch a glimpse of this magnificent and elusive critter. Alas, all that we found were some very old bear droppings scattered along the trail but the beauty and quiet of this pristine sanctuary was well worth the trip despite the lack of any encounters with a bear. Better luck next time.

Prime bear habitat deep in the pine scrub

Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus)

Bottom land swamp forest

Tracking my quarry through the brush

Swamp cub

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

2008-03-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Kissimmee Prairie Preserve presents an opportunity to explore the last large chunk of undisturbed Florida dry prairie, an ecosystem that once covered millions of acres across the central part of the Sunshine State. At 54,000 acres this is one of the largest nature preserves in Florida and is well worth the effort to make the journey on rural back roads into the far hinterlands of Okeechobee County.

It looks just like Africa.

In this park you are encouraged to explore on foot, bicycle, horseback or by guided swamp buggy. Private vehicles are forbidden from venturing beyond the beautiful oak draped campground near the entrance to the preserve. With over 100 miles of dirt roads and trails this place is a hikers paradise.

Slough in the middle of surrounding prairie

Egret

The park offers excellent seasonal birding opportunities and is home to the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow, as well as the crested caracara and sandhill crane. We encountered the largest alligator that I have ever seen in the wild (see photo below) as well as deer and many different species of raptors and aquatic birds. Kissimmee Prairie is also a well known spot for astronomers because it is located in one of the most remote areas of the Florida peninsula with very few urban lights to obscure the dark night sky.

Approaching a thickly wooded hammock

Gigantic leaf-footed bug (Acanthocephala terminalis)

The terrain is characterized by vast open plains dotted with hammocks of palm and oak that is interspersed with shallow waterways and sloughs. The western boundary of the park is the Kissimmee River, which eventually empties into Lake Okeechobee, and links the waters of the Floridian Aquifer in the northern part of the state to the drainage system of the Everglades in the south. The Kissimmee Prairie is an excellent place to experience the subtle transition from swampy forests to grassy open glades which takes place in this part of Florida.

It's located in an extremely remote area so bring plenty of food and supplies before you set out and make sure to stay for at a least a full day to absorb the beauty and majesty of this incomparable landscape that is unique to Florida and a treasure for us all.

A truly monster-sized gator (click on the photo for a better look).

Primordial Florida

Blue Spring State Park

2008-01-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

Blue Spring State Park is a 2700 acre preserve centered around a first magnitude spring that discharges 104 million gallons of water daily into the nearby St. Johns River in western Volusia County. During the bulk of the year the park is available for visitors to swim, snorkel and scuba dive in the crystal clear waters that flow for a half mile from the spring to the river. However in the winter months all human focused activities are shut down and these pristine depths are given over to migrating West Indian manatees that use this stream to swim, rest and play.

Along the stream flowing from Blue Spring

The warm 72 degree waters of Blue Spring provide a vital refuge for these mammals when the water temperature in their coastal inlet habitat becomes too cold for them to survive in. A manatee cannot withstand temperatures much below 66 degrees, so these warm water springs make it possible for them to inhabit this part of central Florida.

Manatee in the stream

Closeup in the shallows

Crystal clear depths near the spring

Scratching an itch on a log

A scenic boardwalk trail parallels the entire length of the stream flowing from the spring, affording many vista points from which to view these gentle and fascinating creatures.

Boardwalk trail

Blue Spring

The park is located 2.5 miles west of Orange City off U.S. Hwy. 17/92. Binoculars sure come in handy.

Hidden Osceola County

2007-11-26T07:42:00.000-08:00

Osceola is the sixth largest county in Florida with over 1,350 square miles of territory. From north to south it stretches almost 60 miles and is for the most part uninhabited. The extreme northern part of the county is where the bulk of its 245,000 citizens reside, including us. This narrow corridor of densely populated suburbia, roughly paralleling U.S. Hwy. 192, comprises the southern edge of metropolitan Orlando. Osceola is also the 17th fastest growing county in the U.S. by attracting 100,000 new residents since the late 1990's.

Blessedly the rest of the county is still predominantly woods, swamps, lakes, prairies and vast ranches; with much of the agricultural land being devoted to cattle, citrus and turf farms. A lot of it is also preserved by the state of Florida as conservation and wildlife management land that is easy to access and enjoy.

This past Sunday we left the hurly-burly of U.S. 192 behind us and turned south on County Hwy. 523 heading for Yeehaw Junction to enjoy the wide open spaces and beautifully diverse landscapes of southeastern Osceola County that few of our neighbors even know of, much less have ever desired to visit.

Our first stop was at the Sunset Ranch trailhead located in the gorgeous Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. This stunningly beautiful loop trail takes you through enormous open groves of live oak draped with overhanging Spanish moss, dense cypress swamps, open Florida prairie and eventually leads to the shores of Lake Marian. It was easily one the most impressive nature trails I've ever hiked in Florida.

Enchanted forest

Giant cypress

Tall grass prairie

Lake Marian

Hwy. 523 terminates at U.S. 441 in the drowsy half-dead community of Kenansville where we hung a right and proceeded south another 20 miles to Yeehaw Junction where there is an entry ramp on to the Florida Turnpike for the trip back home.

This part of Osceola County still retains its rural charm and has many areas of unspoiled wilderness. This is a very good time of the year to get out and hike, the temperatures are moderate but still warm, the bugs much less of an obstacle to maintaining your sanity and scary reptilian creatures like snakes and gators are more subdued in the cooler weather.

Go forth and explore. It's what the world is for.

Kenansville, FL

Hostess stand in the Desert Inn
Yeehaw Junction, FL

Dining room and bar
Desert Inn

Window up above
Desert Inn

"How I wish I could be dreaming
And wake up to an honest love
I was wrong for I was watching
From the window up above."

------George Jones

The island behind our house

2007-11-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite places in all of Florida just happens to be located directly behind our house here in Celebration. It is a slightly elevated patch of open prairie dotted with pine, palmetto and live oak which is completely surrounded on all sides by thickly wooded swamps. The only access to this "island" is by a trail that starts behind our garage.

Trail to the island

In fact this little known nature preserve is where the Disney Corporation relocates animals, especially the endangered gopher tortoise, when they develop new areas of their property that ends up displacing the local fauna. Every once in a while a Disney truck will pull up near our house and a crew of workers will head back into the swamp towards the island to do some sort of conservation work. Lately they've been grooming the prairie with a tractor to enhance the habitat for turtles. Other than these occasional visits from the conservation crew no one else even knows this place exists (besides Connie and I). It is our own private tropical paradise where we can readily see all kinds of wildlife and experience the peace and serenity of an untouched tract of primordial Florida.

The island

An ancient giant live oak

A beautiful tropical spider (Gasteracantha)

The funny thing is we can't get any of our neighborhood friends to join us on a "hike around the island" as we like to call it. They seem deathly afraid of venturing back into the murky depths of the unknown. I think they prefer their version of Florida to be throughly scraped clean of native vegetation, sprayed for bugs and covered in neat squares of uniform green fescue. Welcome to their Magic Kingdom. I certainly prefer mine.

Sunset deep in the swamp

Good-night all.

Catfish Creek State Preserve

2007-11-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday we took a delightful hike in Catfish Creek State Preserve which is located in an isolated area of the Lake Wales Ridge ecosystem of central Florida. This unusual landscape of sand hills and desert-like flora reminded me of the high plateaus of Utah and Arizona. It was so quiet and still that I thought for a moment that we were actually in a remote section of the southwestern U.S. rather than in the 4th most populous state in the nation. Amazingly, we were the only people there on this particular afternoon.

Catfish Creek is a wonderful off-the-beaten-path sort of place located in eastern Polk County that preserves beautiful sections of scrub, sandhill, pine flatwoods and shallow ponds that are home to numerous rare plants such as scrub morning glory, scrub plum, pygmy fringe tree, and cutthroat grass. It is also home to several protected animal species including Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, gopher tortoises, and Florida scrub lizards. During our brief visit we encountered deer, turkey, assorted waterfowl, swallows, an eagle, scrub-jay and a wide variety of insects.

Isolated and empty road to the park.

Interior backcountry of the preserve

A very busy sand wasp (see the sand flying out behind the abdomen).

Pond

Fall wildflowers

The Lake Wales Ridge ecosystem is a rapidly vanishing Florida landscape that is home to many unique species of flora and fauna. This relatively untouched state park showcases one of the more remote and sublime landscapes you're liable to find on the entire Florida peninsula.

If you don't end up getting terribly lost trying to find the place you'll probably have the whole park to yourself once you arrive. Have fun kids! Send us a postcard.

Highlands Hammock State Park

2007-10-08T11:49:00.000-07:00

This 9,000 acre park in Highlands County opened to the public in 1931 and is one of the earliest examples of grass-roots public support for environmental preservation. Local citizens, concerned about plans to turn the hammock into farmland, acquired the property and pledged to protect it. When Florida’s state park system was established in 1935, Highlands Hammock became one of the four original state parks in the newly established system.

Swamp along the Richard Lieber Trail

The park preserves a scenic virgin hardwood forest, a large cypress swamp, pine flatwoods, sand pine scrub, bayheads and marsh. There are nine trails that penetrate this thickly wooded preserve, with many having boardwalks that take hikers over the marshier sections affording vistas into the mysterious and fascinating swamps below.

Gigantic golden silk spider

Fern Garden Trail

There is also a campground, restaurant, museum and ranger guided tram tours. Highlands Hammock is located four miles west of Sebring on County Road 634. For such a small park it is dense with natural beauty and a wide array of contrasting biomes. It is well worth the detour off of U.S. 27 if you ever happen to be in this neck of the woods.

Delicate white fungi on the forest floor

An adult eastern lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera)

Deep in the jungle wilderness

Giant oak trunk

Catwalk on the Hickory Trail

Myakka River State Park

2007-10-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday we visited Myakka River State Park, one of Florida's oldest and largest (58 square miles). It is located in central Sarasota County, just seven miles east of I-75, and preserves a diverse set of distinctive natural landscapes. In addition to the Myakka River floodplain there are swamps, dense forests of hardwoods and palm, several large lakes and extensive tracts of dry prairie land. This is one of the most interesting natural areas in Florida and judging by the number of visitors very popular too.

Myakka River

Trail along the river floodplain

Floodplain palm forest

The forest canopy as seen from a 74 foot observation tower.

The park is also teeming with wildlife and on our fairly short visit we encountered: wild boar, deer, a pygmy rattlesnake, red shouldered hawks, flocks of black vultures, alligators and all kinds of interesting insects.

Wild boar

Red shouldered hawk

Upper Myakka Lake

Black vulture convention by the lake

In addition to hiking, camping and fishing there are trails for horseback riding and as well as interpretive presentations and guided hikes. You can also hop aboard one of the world's two largest airboats, the Myakka Maiden or the Gator Gal for a scenic cruise on Upper Myakka Lake or take a Tram Safari into the backcountry. There is enough room here to take extended backpacking trips into the interior but I would strongly suggest doing this in the winter when the bugs and heat are less intense. All in all a great place to enjoy the essence of natural Florida.

Where the prairie meets the forest

Some very interesting ant hill architecture

Steer clear of the velvet ant (Dasymutilla magnifica).

Black vultures in a tree waiting for death to bring them lunch.

Eastern Pondhawk

2007-09-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

This morning I saw a beautiful female Eastern Pondhawk lifting off from our driveway rather unsteadily due to an overly large piece of prey that it was grasping in its mouth parts. A few seconds later this graceful insect gingerly alighted on the backyard banana tree, where it began to more earnestly chew and digest its hapless victim. Camera in hand I recorded the gripping mealtime drama for you my gentle readers in cyberspace.

It appears that it was scarfing down a male member of its own species.

Just another typical day in the bug eat bug world of the Florida jungle.

Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)

Click on the image for a much more detailed view.

Birds of my neighborhood

2007-09-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

The weather has been breezy and a bit cooler the past few days so I've been taking longer walks after dinner with my camera to see what kinds of animals I could capture in the viewfinder for you my dear readers out there in cyberspace.

Here in the swamps and lakes of central Florida the bird life is what has struck this newcomer the most. It looks and feels like I live in an exotic jungle paradise. Well maybe I do.

Wood stork

Florida wild turkey or also known as the Osceola

Woods that surround the ponds

This gator was watching me take pictures.

White ibis

Another day is done in the Florida outback.

Golden orb weaver

2007-09-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

This morning my wife beckoned me to come out on the back porch to welcome a newly arrived guest at our Florida jungle outpost. During the overnight hours a beautiful Golden orb weaver (Argiope aurantia) had spun a most delicately graceful web above the barbecue prep table.

According to my trusty copy of The Golden Guide to Spiders: "Argiopes are large, conspicuous spiders that hang head down in the center of the web. The web usually has crossed zigzag bands, and the young spiders may construct more zigzags than the adults. Some species are easily recognized by their color and pattern. Species of Argiope are found in tropical and temperate regions."

Now to find something to feed this hungry girl.......

Golden silk spider

2007-08-31T14:57:00.000-07:00

When traveling between the Panhandle and central Florida we always try to take a break at the mid-way point in the small logging town of Perry. If it is still light we prefer to stop at a state historical park on the south end of town which commemorates Florida's long leaf pine forests and their contribution to the state's history and development.

On our latest journey we arrived at dusk to stretch our legs and use the restroom. I took a short stroll along the edge of a thickly wooded area that gently slopes down into a large bug infested swamp. It was here that I encountered some very large and colorful specimens of Nephila clavipes, commonly known as the golden silk spider.

This swollen beauty rests after a moth and beetle supper.

According to the University of Florida science website: "The golden silk spider is found throughout Florida and the southeastern United States. The female is distinctively colored, and is among the largest orb-weaving spiders in the country. The female is 25 mm to 40 mm long and has conspicuous hair tufts on her long legs. Males are about 4 mm to 6 mm long, dark-brown, and are often found in the webs of females. These spiders feed primarily on flying insects, which they catch in webs that may be greater than a meter in diameter. They are most commonly found in forests, along trails and at clearing edges."

She's all girl!

So the next time you find yourself down in Taylor County make sure you stop at the Forest Capital State Historical Park and check out the most amazing array of giant orb web spinning spiders you're likely to see this side of the Amazon jungle. Happy hunting.

Florida Has Giant Spiders

2007-07-10T10:04:00.001-07:00

This morning, as I was minding my own business in the garage, I came upon what has to be the largest Wolf Spider I've ever seen. Its body was at least two inches long and from the look of things it had been eating quite well in the murky darkness, as there were lots of hollowed out insect carcasses laying around the immediate vicinity of this enormous arachnid. My guess is that this is a Rabid Wolf Spider (Lycosa rabida) but will patiently await the scrutiny of my panel of experts out there in cyberspace.

According to the Audubon Field Guide To Insects & Spiders: "This species is harmless to people, but its bite is often feared----hence its common name. According to a legend, the only way to save a victim bitten by the related European Tarantula is to dance the tarantella."

In other words you'd better watch where you're walking when it's summertime in Florida.

(Lycosa rabida)

Cruise to Shell Island

2007-05-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

One of the better island adventure bargains in the world can be found in Panama City, FL where cruises are conducted daily to beautiful Shell Island. This barrier island is located on the opposite side of St. Andrews Bay and fronts on the Gulf of Mexico.

The Ashley Gorman

Shell Island is about 12 miles long and completely undeveloped. Most of the land is administered as a part of nearby St. Andrews State Park and the only way to get there is by boat. When you arrive you will encounter a pristine wilderness paradise located a mere stones throw from a bustling commerical harbor and nearby miltary bases. For $16 you get a three and half hour tour (lunch included) with a one hour stay on the island to collect shells and frolic in the crystal clear waters of its Gulf beach front. This being Florida the boat has a snack concession and a full service bar. What more could y'all want? After Memorial Day there are three trips a day so you can arrange to stay longer on the island if you so desire. So what are you waiting for? Get thee to Shell Island!

St. Andrews Bay from the front of the boat

Atlantic bottlenose dolphin

Coming ashore on Shell Island

Pristine beach

Crystal clear water of St. Andrews Bay

Leaving Shell Island

For more information: http://www.shellislandcruises.com/

Manatee Springs State Park

2007-04-02T19:20:00.000-07:00

Manatee Springs State Park is in Levy County along the east bank of the Suwannee River near the town of Chiefland. Over 100 million gallons of water flow from this first magnitude spring every day into the Suwannee. The water rises to the surface through a large underground aquatic cave system that is believed to be one of the longest in North America.

Manatee Springs

The warm waters of the spring attract West Indian manatees in the winter. They swim up the Suwannee River from the Gulf of Mexico to spend the colder months near this source of warmth and refuge. These magnficent mammals are a favorite attraction for park visitors.

Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) with a turtle on its back

The park is divided into two distinct sections with the area around the springs and the quarter-mile run it forms to the Suwannee dominated by water-loving trees like cypress, tupelo, gum, ash and maple. The uplands of the park are drier and contain a sandhill plant community that contains turkey oak, longleaf pine, wiregrass and palmetto.

View from the elevated boardwalk

18th century naturalist William Bartram was the first person to describe Manatee Springs in detail and also to note the presence of manatees. The area was once famous for its old growth cypress trees, with some specimens being over 3,000 years old. Cedar was also extensively logged here by the pencil industry in the late 19th century and was processed and shipped from nearby Cedar Key in the Gulf of Mexico.

Black vulture (Coragyps atratus)

The Suwannee River

Activities include swimming, scuba diving, fishing, boating and hiking. There is a campground and food concession near the spring. The best time to view manatees is November through April.

The North Trail

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/manateesprings/

Spring Flowers

2007-04-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

Ponce de Leon discovering the Fountain of Youth

The naming of Florida is credited to Ponce de Leon who christened this land in 1513 with a Spanish term Pascua Florida, meaning “feast of flowers” which was also another word for Easter. With this in mind I thought it fitting to showcase a photo gallery of flowers that we observed today on this most splendid Palm Sunday.

The photographs were taken in two state parks about ten miles apart (Camp Helen and Eden Gardens) where the signs of spring were everywhere in evidence. Have a Happy Easter week everyone!

Water lily (Nymphaea odorata)

Azaleas (Rhododendron periclymenoides)

Golden Aster (Chrysopsis floridana)

Camellia (Camellia japonica)

Orange Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)

Saint Andrews State Park

2007-03-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

This park had somehow passed under my radar screen until today, when I suggested that we incorporate a visit there while on a trip to run errands in nearby Panama City. I had always viewed St. Andrews State Park as recreational in its orientation with a busy public beach, large campground and extensive facilities for boating and fishing. Well that all turned out to be true but this park also contains an untamed side where one can see wildlife up close through a nifty network of trails that penetrates into a surprisingly diverse set of terrains and habitats.

The beach and jetty

Known throughout the Panhandle for its sugar white sands and emerald green waters, this 1260 acre preserve, which is a former military reservation, has over one-and-a-half miles of beach front on the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon and is located a scant three miles from Panama City.

Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoniceus)

Gator Lake Trail

The two most visited parts of the park are the beach on the Gulf of Mexico which is protected by a jetty and the bay frontage on the Grand Lagoon with boat ramps, docks and picnic areas. The park's more remote uplands are characterized by rolling white sand dunes separated by low swales of either pine flat woods or marshes. Dunes covered with sea oats abound. Dunes found farther inland are covered with sand pines, scrub oaks, rosemary and other hardy plants that play an important role in preventing erosion during intense storms and hurricanes. This lesser visited part of St. Andrews is where you'll find the wildlife.

American Alligator (Alligator mississipiensis)

Common Egret (Casmerodius albus)

Oak hammock with palmetto

One of the interesting highlights of the park is the Gator Lake Trail which traverses several different ecosystems and affords an opportunity to observe a variety of animals including many species of birds, mammals and of course alligators. The pond itself reminded me a lot of peninsular Florida with it's egrets, herons and reptilian swamp life. Be careful when you hike this trail because it takes you right up close and personal to where the gators live. Watch out for snakes too.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

An alligator in Gator Lake, of course.

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/standrews/default.cfm

Cottonmouth Snakes

2007-03-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

It's spring in Florida and time for everyone to become aware of the potential dangers posed by venomous snakes. Today our condominium complex had a little brief moment of excitement when it was discovered that a cottonmouth snake was sunning itself by the swimming pool. We helped the security guard put it in a collection bag which made Connie and I feel just like Steve and Terry Irwin on the Crocodile Hunter TV show. Connie said that it was definitely "not a very pretty sheila at all."

Cottonmouth or water moccasin
(Agkistrodon piscivorus conati)

The cottonmouth is dangerous because unlike other snakes they don't slither away when someone approaches but can become defensive and easily stirred to strike out aggressively.

From the very well written website www.marshbunny.com I found this:

Cottonmouth snakes are poisonous and extremely aggressive. They get the name cottonmouth because when they prepare to strike they open their jaws wide, exposing the puffy white lining of their mouths. Alligators only get aggressive during mating season, but cottonmouths are in a constant state of PMS - they not only will NOT run away from you, they will seek you out and chase you down.

Most anyone would rather have an alligator in their boat than a cottonmouth any day of the week. I have heard a few snake-in-the-boat stories and they are about equally divided between "we all jumped overboard" and "I grabbed my gun and shot the boat full of holes trying to kill the snake". You learn to not only keep an eye on things moving on the water, but to perform a "snake check!" anytime you pull up under a tree. Some snakes (in a fit of whimsy, no doubt) like to drop from trees into boats to see how fast they can empty the boat out.

I hope that none of these things ever happens to me or any of you my dear readers. So let's be extra careful and ever mindful of our surroundings, so we can steer clear of these dangerous reptiles in our midst.

Steve Irwin I'm NOT!

Wildlife Photographer

2007-03-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

I have been out in the field lately and blessed with enough good luck to get some great closeups of Florida wildlife. Here are three recent favorites I thought y'all might enjoy:

American Alligator (Alligator mississipeinsis)
Lounging by a pond in Osceola County

Southern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus undulatus)
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Walton County

Georgia river cruiser dragonfly (Macromia illinoiensis georgina)
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Sunrise on the Emerald Coast

2007-02-09T11:28:00.000-08:00

Sunrise on Seagrove Beach

My wife has become quite accomplished at taking excellent photographs with the digital camera we recently purchased and has determinedly taken it out each morning for her daily walk at dawn. Again, as many of you may already know, I don't do the dawn's early light very often. To be more exact I NEVER get up that early, so it's great having someone out covering the dawn patrol on the most beautiful stretch of coastline this side of Fiji. I kid you not.

This morning I was asked to download the contents of today's sunrise from the camera and admire one of the most beautiful mornings yet. Well I gotta admit she warn't exageratin' none t'all.

So for today I just wanted to share the beauty which is our home here on the magnificent Emerald Coast of Florida. Enjoy it y'all.

Springs along the Suwannee River

2007-02-01T17:11:00.001-08:00

U.S. Highway 27 parallels the scenic Suwannee River for 25 miles through Lafayette County, Florida. We began a detailed reconnaissance of the remarkable springs and state parks that are located along this stretch of river in the small town of Branford. From here we traveled west to Troy Springs and Lafayette Blue Springs State Parks, both of which empty directly into the dark and murky waters of the Suwannee.

Way down upon the Suwannee River

This part of Florida is very laid back and rural. It reminded me a lot of Georgia and Alabama. People in the rest of the country often forget that Florida is indeed located in the heart of the Deep South and as such there is still much of it that looks and feels like a place unaffected by the modern world, much less the close of the Civil War. Everywhere we went in this section we saw people, both black and white, fishing along creeks, hanging out at barbecue shacks and lazing away the end of an era. Yes indeedy, my kind of place.

A beautiful spring in the middle of Branford's city park

The geology of Florida is dominated by a porous limestone layer known as the Floridian Aquifer. It is the main source of water for the springs which bubble to the surface in this part of the state. A large portion of the annual precipitation that falls to the ground is absorbed into this limestone layer and eventually returns to the surface through an elaborate underground network of caves and rivers that are carved through this unique formation. When this subterranean water table intersects with the surface of the land it forms artesian springs. Florida has more of these springs than any other place in the world.

Red-tailed hawk soars over the Suwannee

If you're ever in this part of Florida I highly recommend that you leave the mindless grind of interstate travel and come enjoy this stretch of old U.S. 27. You'll discover the beauty and serenity of a genuine piece of the Old South.

Way down upon de Swanee ribber,

Far, far away,

Dere's wha my heart is turning ebber,

Dere's wha de old folks stay.

The clear waters of Troy Spring empty into the Suwannee

Remains of the Confederate warship Madison in Troy Spring

Suwannee River as seen from the highway bridge in Branford, FL

Late afternoon light filters through the floodplain forest

Sylvan Spring

2007-01-26T11:55:00.001-08:00

Trail through the bottomland

While out looking at riverfront properties, along the bucolically sublime shores of Econofina Creek in northern Bay County, we stumbled upon a beautiful hiking trail through an old growth forest. It is a 2-mile loop that starts out in the densely wooded bottomlands of the Econfina floodplain where it passes under Florida Hwy. 20 at the Pitt Spring recreation area. From there the trail gradually climbs up onto an 80-foot bluff overlooking the winding creek below before descending back down to the swampy bottoms and eventually back to the Pitt Spring parking area.

Sylvan Spring

Along the way we encountered a most beautiful natural spring appropriately named Sylvan Spring, which opens up right in the middle of the woods adjacent to the trail. The main spring has two central vents which bubble up adjacent to a small rise of land with a conveniently placed wooden bench, where one can sit and enjoy the serene and highly scenic splendors of this magical spot.

Bubbling vent of water

The trail winds through a forest that contains many giant specimens of beech, oak and cypress, some of which towered almost 100 feet above us. We spotted a large crested woodpecker which we thought was a pileated but after giving a description to a birder friend of mine he suspected that we may have actually stumbled upon an ivory-billed. Such a discovery would make us famous celebrities in the naturalist world. I'm still quite sceptical but my friend has urged me to return and see if I can get another good look and maybe even a picture.

Clear water of Sylvan Spring merges with Econfina Creek

The last reported sighting of this supposedly extinct bird was in this very same part of Florida last year. In 2004 a team of Cornell University ornithologists claim to have made a positive sighting in the woody swamps of southern Arkansas and before that the last documented ivory-billed woodpecker recorded was in Louisiana in 1944.

Ivory-billed woodpecker

The trailhead is located at the Pitt Spring recreation pool located along Florida Hwy. 20 where it crosses Econfina Creek about 25 miles north of Panama City and eight miles east of U.S. Hwy. 231.

Sinkhole along the trail

Beaver lodge in Econfina Creek

Lake Eaton Sinkhole

2007-01-24T15:16:00.001-08:00

Lake Eaton Sinkhole

Located in the heart of the Ocala National Forest is a seldom visited geologic feature known as the Lake Eaton Sinkhole. It is the second largest dry sinkhole in the state, measuring 450 feet across and 80 feet deep.

Steep wall of the sinkhole as seen from the stairs

A sinkhole is a cavity in the ground, especially in limestone bedrock, that is caused by water erosion and provides a route for surface water to disappear underground. Florida, which is largely composed of limestone, has the most sinkholes in the country, followed by Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Down into the abyss

There are three trails that lead to the rim of the crater which has an observation deck and interpretive display that explains the unique geology of sinkhole formation. Wooden stairs lead to the bottom where the vegetation is similar to that of an oak hammock, featuring magnolias, live oak, dogwood, loblolly pine and the sabal palm.

The bottom of the sinkhole

The trailhead can be accessed from Florida Hwy. 314 and is located about 25 miles northeast of Ocala.

Golden silk spider (Nephila clavipes)

For more information contact: www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/recreation/index_oca.shtml#top

Silver River State Park

2007-01-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

Silver River State Park is a 5,000 acre nature preserve located east of Ocala that contains the entire length of a most enchantingly beautiful waterway. The headsprings lie in the world famous Silver Springs theme park, located west of the park boundary, which is known for its glass bottom boat rides, fountain water shows and alligator and crocodile feedings.

Vintage postcard of the Silver Springs theme park

Silver Springs is the largest limestone artesian spring in the world. About a half a million gallons of water per day flow out of an underground cave into a large bowl 400 feet in diameter and 40 feet deep. From here the water flows for 5 miles through the state park which is essentially an undeveloped wilderness and on into the Ocklawaha River (Timucua Indian word meaning "dark water") which then empties into the St. Johns River and hence on to the Atlantic Ocean.

Silver River

The state park was set aside in 1996 to preserve ten distinct ecological communities that include sandhill, scrub, oak hammock, swamp and floodplain forests. According to the park brochure: "Deer, turkey, gopher tortoises and birds are abundant, while coyote, fox and bear are occasionally seen. Aquatic wildlife abounds with alligators, river turtles, otters and many species of wading and diving birds."

White ibis perch in a dead tree above the river

The Seminole Indians considered the springs to be sacred and there is abundant evidence that various Indian tribes have inhabited the headwaters of the Silver River for the past 12,000 years. In the 1820's a fledgling tourist trade began when curious visitors started to make their way to this area and pole their boats along this exotically scenic stretch of river. Before the War Between the States this area became a major plantation area growing vegetables, tobacco, and oranges.

Nature trail leading to the river

By the late 19th-century an enterprising young man placed a sheet of glass in the bottom of a rowboat and a new business sprang into being. The Silver River has been famous for over a hundred years for its glass-bottom boat tours which still attract visitors to this out of the way spot from all over the globe.

Red-shouldered hawk

The park has four excellent hiking trails and boasts a modern 59 site campground. Their are also modern cabins, an excellent museum, picnic grounds and a canoe/kayak launch.

Floodplain jungle

There is much to keep the visitor engaged and occupied at Silver River, so I'd suggest that folks dedicate two whole days to take it all in. This is one of Florida's newer state parks and it shows, with many modern amenities and up to date interpretive information. This is a park that I highly reccomend.

Mysterious cypress bottom

Jungle boy

For more information: www.FloridaStateParks.org/silverriver

Juniper Springs

2007-01-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

Juniper Springs is one of the more remarkable natural wonders in all of Florida. Located in the heart of the 450,000 acre Ocala National Forest it is a first magnitude spring that gushes forth some 15 million gallons of water per day into Juniper Creek. All of this water eventually flows northeastward into Lake George, the second largest body of water in the state after Lake Okeechobee. The water temperature of the spring is a constant 72 degrees making it a delightful place to swim year-round.

Crystal clear water of Juniper Creek

The highlight of the Juniper Springs recreation area is the three-quarter mile long nature trail that winds along the banks of Juniper Creek. This trail connects the head spring, which is the source of the creek, to its terminus at Fern Hammock Spring. For most of its length the trail is located on an elevated boardwalk that parallels the creek.

A look into the bottom of Juniper Spring

At the start of the nature trail is the Juniper Springs pool, site of an old mill that still has a working water wheel. There are stone walls and steps lining the perimeter of the spring that lead down into the pool itself. This infrastructure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's and was one of the first areas in Ocala National Forest developed for tourists.

Fern Hammock Spring

Canoeing is a popular activity along a seven-mile canoe run. There is also a campground with a small store and direct access to the Florida National Trail which runs through the southern part of this recreation area near the entrance gate along Florida Hwy. 40.

Water percolating up through the creek bottom is called a sand boil.

The species of lowland trees encountered at Juniper Springs include red maple, bay, pond pine, black gum and the rare needle palm. The National Forest Service brochure states that the semi-tropical scenery encountered here is not found in any other national forest in the continental United States. For this reason the area once attracted the interest of Hollywood producers and directors who utilized it for filming Tarzan movies and other such projects that required an exotic jungle-like atmosphere.

Bridge across Fern Hammock Spring

The Juniper Springs Recreation Area is truly a gem and I highly recommend that you go out of your way to make a visit. It is one of Florida's premier natural wonders. Y'all go visit, ya hear?

The author walking on the boardwalk along Juniper Creek.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

2007-01-04T17:56:00.000-08:00

This beautiful park is located in Columbia County just a few miles north and west of the small town of Fort White. The main attraction is the six-mile long, crystal clear spring-fed Ichetucknee River. This stream is protected for most of its length within the boundaries of the state park before it joins the waters of the Santa Fe River, which eventually flows into the Suwannee for the final leg of the journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Ichetucknee is an Indian word meaning "pond of the beaver".

Ichetucknee River from the Trestle Point Trail

The park has a northern and southern section, each with a separate entrance gate that helps facilitate a large number of tubers and rafters who float the river during the warmer months of the year. There are many private outfitters located nearby that supply all of the equipment and floation devices that are necessary for this fun adventure in the park.

The Florida State Park website states that: "The Ichetucknee River is the MOST pristine spring-fed river in the state of Florida. Two hundred and thirty three million gallons of fresh water flow daily from the springs within the 2,241-acre park."

You can see clear to the bottom!

The plant communities include hardwood hammocks with live oak and magnolia, as well as extensive wetlands and cypress swamps which line the banks of the river. There is also a pine upland ecosystem that is different than the rest of the forest cover in the park and hosts a large community of deer and wild turkey. A visitor is likely to encounter a wide range of birds such as herons, egrets, barred owls, and kestrels. Other critters in the park include raccoons, turtles, foxes and a wide range of fish in the river and the springs which feed it.

Trestle Point Trail

Again from the park website: "Look down into the clear waters and be amazed by the abundance of aquatic wildlife. Largemouth and Suwannee bass, catfish, red-bellies, bluegill, mullet, and gar are but a few of the many species of fish that are present in the Ichetucknee. Peer yet closer into the crystal waters and see snails, crayfish, small turtles, grass shrimp and more. The gopher tortoise, indigo snake, or fox squirrel may also be out among the pines."

A pair of turtles on a log in the river.

We visited twice in late December and were pleasantly surprised to be practically the only persons there. I am told that this park is heavily used by recreational floaters from the spring through late fall, so be aware of this fact if you are looking for a time when things are more calm and serene such as the winter months.

The Ichetucknee flowing through a cypress swamp.

The head spring which is the source of the river.

Tall timber abounds along the Trestle Point Trail.

Boardwalk on the Blue Hole Trail

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/default.cfm

Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)

2006-12-17T17:32:00.000-08:00

A lonely road in Pine Log State Forest

I recently received a request, from a friend in California, to send a supply of pine straw from the longleaf pines which grow abundantly here in northern Florida. This person weaves things out of the sturdy dried needles and had been ordering her stock from a catalog. It has prompted Connie and I to explore our magnificent local state forests, where large open stands of this beautiful tree can be easily found.

According to the book Forest Trees of Florida (published by the Florida Division of Forestry): "The young longleaf pine forms one of the most striking features of southern forests. When five to ten years of age the single upright stem with its long, dark shiny needles forms a handsome plume of sparkling green; while in later youth the stalwart, sparingly branched sapling, with its heavy twigs and gray bark attracts immediate attention. The older trees have tall straight trunks, mostly one to two feet in diameter, and open, irregular crowns, one-third to one-half the length of the tree."

Baby longleaf pine

Young stand in Point Washington State Forest

"Longleaf pine is found throughout the state, except for the southern tip of the peninsula. Longleaf pine stands today reflect a history of extensive naval stores operations, logging and burning following logging. As a result many longleaf pine forests have been replaced by other species."

Close-up of a teenager

The search for needles has also resulted in our enrollment in the Florida State Forests Trailwalkers Program. It has three levels: Trailwalker, Trailblazer and then finally the pinnacle of acheivement------a Trailmaster! As the brochure explaining the program states "The benefits are many when you participate in the program. You get to improve your level of physical fitness at your own rate without the pressure of competition. Your only competitor is yourself." Now that's for me!!

Dutch Tieman Trail in Pine Log State Forest

The state forests of Florida are a hidden natural treasure that don't get a lot of publicity but offer solitude, quiet and a wide range of opportunities for the hiker and nature enthusiast. You'd hardly ever know that you are in the 4th most populous state in the nation when wandering the endless miles of forest that cover wide expanses of the Sunshine State. Y'all get out there and enjoy 'em now.

Palmetto understory in Pine Log State Forest

At the Eastern Lake trailhead

Rocky Bayou State Park

2006-12-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is named for the Air Force colonel who was responsible for restoring this area into a nature preserve from its former role as a WW2 military bombing range. This 357-acre park is loctated along the brackish shores of Rocky Bayou in the southeastern corner of Okaloosa County, and sits directly across Choctawhatchee Bay from the urban bustle of U.S. 98 with its strip malls and throngs of beach bound tourists. Once you are deep within the quiet woods of this lovely park you'd hardly ever know you were so close to the pressing mass of the multitudes.

Rocky Bayou

Quiet solitude of the Rocky Bayou Trail

The park is a great place to see one of the best remaining examples of coastal scrub forest in the western panhandle of Florida. This particular forest contains many fine specimens of old-growth long leaf pine, some of which are over three-hundred years old, that once covered much of Florida before large scale logging in the last century removed them. Some of the other trees found here include the sourwood, chinquapin, live oak, Alabama oak, sand pine, magnolia and cypress.

The most scenic loop trail in the park.

There are three principal nature trails in the park: the Red Cedar, Rocky Bayou and the Sand Pine Trail which hugs the shores of pristine Puddin' Head Lake. According to the book Exploring Wild Northwest Florida, "One of the most interesting aspects of these trails is the conglomeration of trees and shrubs that occurs here. Though none of these plants are outside of a habitat that might be expected for the species, the diverse assortment of species and sheer number of individuals make this an excellent place for botanizing."

The rare trumpter swan can be found here as well as bald eagles, osprey and a wide assortment of reptiles and mammals.

Puddin' Head Lake

This park has a large picnic area, boat ramp and 45 full-service campsites. It is open year-round and is conveniently located near stores and a wide array of services on nearby Florida Hwy. 20.

The author taking a break on the Sand Pine Trail.

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/rockybayou/default.cfm

Another beautiful sunset in Seagrove Beach

2006-12-02T17:08:00.000-08:00

I am truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place. Tonight the sunset over the dunes behind our home in Seagrove Beach was especially spectacular. I hope you all enjoy it too.

Fall color along Econfina Creek

2006-11-30T16:06:00.000-08:00

Deep in the Florida woods

Fall color comes relatively late to Florida, usually in mid to late November and early December. I set out today to view some of this seasonal splendor along the banks and bottomlands of Econfina Creek, which straddles the Washington-Bay County line in the panhandle of Florida. The most popular access point is about 8 miles east of the small crossroads community of Crystal Lake on Florida State Hwy. 20.

This little known gem is administered by the Northwest Florida Water Management District, and is a protected watershed for the Deer Point Lake Reservoir, which supplies Bay County with its largest amount of culinary water.

Econfina Creek is believed to be a Muskogean term meaning "natural bridge", because it may have flowed underground at one time through the highly porous limestone found in this part of the state. The Econfina is unique in that about 80% of its flow is fed by eleven natural springs. The clarity of the water is amazing and it is a popular destination for those wishing to canoe or kayak its crystal clear waters. This is easily one of my favorite natural wonders in all of Florida.

For more information about floating Econfina Creek you can call 850-722-9032.

Econfina Creek

Fall color along the creek bank

Cypress knees

Color dappled bottomland

Nature boy takes a rest

Saint Joseph Peninsula State Park

2006-11-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is located just south of Port St. Joe in Gulf County. It occupies the central section of an L-shaped peninsula that juts out from the mainland at San Blas Point. This barrier island is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the its western side and the sheltered waters of St. Joseph Bay to the east.

Mainly visited for its ten-mile strand of white sand beaches and crystal blue waters it also is a well known haven for bird watchers, where 240 different species of birds have been recorded through years of careful observation and record keeping.

Other activities include hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. There are campgrounds as well as cabins for rent, with many nearby accomodations readily available. The beach is rated as one of the best in the United States by an expert who calls himself the Beach Doctor.

If you decide to make a visit I strongly reccomend that you bring along lots of insect repellent because the biting bugs can be vicious, especially flies and mosquitoes on the bay side of the park. We visited in early November and the bugs were pretty thick everywhere but on the Gulf shore.

Miles of deserted beaches await the visitor.

The interior scrub forest is criss-crossed by hiking trails.

Tranquil scene on the bay side of the park.

Lush vegetation lines the main park road.

Scrub covered dunes abound.

The beachcombing is excellent.

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/stjoseph/default.cfm

Deer Lake State Park

2006-11-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

This very small park, located along the south coast of Walton County in Seagrove Beach, is a slice of pure Florida heaven. Sandwiched in between major resort developments and busy Highway 30A, this lovely and quiet preserve offers the visitor a multitude of natural wonders to experience within its eleven documented life zones. The park is named for the large coastal dune lake that is located within its boundaries but also has a gorgeous beach, a large area of crystal white sand dunes and a thick forested hammock of hardwood and pine.

Deer Lake is one of seventeen dune lakes located along the Gulf of Mexico in this vicinity that are extremely rare worldwide. For more information about these interesting and fragile lakes please refer to my earlier blog posting on Topsail Hill Preserve.

The forest here includes southern magnolia, scrub oak, long leaf pine and palmetto. Rare plants such as gulf coast lupine, spoonflower, pitcher plants, and Curtiss' sand grass form some of the largest populations found in Florida.

There are many species of resident or migratory birds and butterflies that utilize this fast disappearing mixed dune and coastal forest habitat, including the endangered least tern and loggerhead turtle. Other animals include bobcat, coyote, fox, raccoon, skunk, and a large assortment of reptiles and amphibians including alligators that inhabit Deer Lake. Park visitors can picnic, swim, and fish, but there is no camping as this is a day use area that closes at sundown.

I am very lucky, because I live right next door to this beautiful preserve and can visit it whenever I want. So by all means come on down and enjoy this perfect slice of the Florida panhandle. It is rarely crowded and always offers beauty, solitude and inspiration.

Park woodland

Walkway across the dunes

Tracks in the dunes

Deer Lake

Stairs to the beach

A pristine beach awaits the visitor

A half-hour of beachcombing

Dunes

Dusk on the Gulf

Palmetto & sea oats silhouetted at sunset

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/deerlake/default.cfm

Camp Helen State Park

2006-11-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

Camp Helen State Park is a 184-acre preserve located at the far western end of Bay County along U.S. 98, just east of the Walton County line near Inlet Beach. Surrounded on three sides by picturesque bodies of water it is a forested peninsula filled with natural beauty and surprising diversity given its relatively small size. In one visit you can easily take in the beauty of white sand beaches fronting on the Gulf of Mexico, the marsh and bay environment of Phillips Inlet and the scenic shores of Lake Powell, one of Florida's largest freshwater dune lakes.

Salt marsh connected to Phillips Inlet

Rising above these lovely bodies of water is a beautifully forested maritime hammock that is chock full of live oak, long leaf pine and palmetto. The sugary white dunes encountered between this dense woodland and the Gulf shore are covered in the characteristic sand pine scrub community commonly found in this part of coastal Florida.

The primary forest cover consists of palmetto, live oak and longleaf pines.

Prehistoric middens and mounds indicate that humans lived on this neck of land more than 4,000 years ago. In the 1920's a wealthy family purchased the property that is presently the park and built a summer home overlooking Phillips Inlet. In 1945 the Avondale Mills of Alabama bought the property and operated it as resort for their employees until 1987. This "camp" was named Helen in honor of the CEO's daughter-in-law.

Original camp cottage built by Avondale Mills.

Activities include swimming, beachcombing, nature study, hiking, and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. This is one of my favorite Florida state parks because it is compact, scenic and diverse enough to keep me coming back to visit again and again. That I happen to live only a few miles down the road from this lovely preserve doesn't hurt either.

Beach along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico.

Pelicans perch on a storm wrecked pier.

Close-up of the perching pelicans.

The main nature trail through the park.

Stairs leading down to Lake Powell

Lake Powell

Beach access trail

Beautiful tall live oaks are found throughout Camp Helen.

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/camphelen/

Suwannee River State Park

2006-11-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

Way down upon the Suwannee River

Suwannee River State Park encompasses 1,800 acres in north-central Florida near the small town of Ellaville, adjacent to U.S. 90 and Interstate 10 (exit #275). Located at the junction of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers the park contains a wide variety of natural, cultural and historic features to interest the visitor. Set aside in 1936 it comemorates one of America's most romantic and storied rivers and is one of the oldest state parks in Florida.

Emanating from the depths of the Okefonokee Swamp in southeastern Georgia, the Suwannee River meanders for some 250 miles in a southwesterly direction into the Gulf of Mexico. According to researchers at the University of South Florida the name appears to be derived from the Timucuan Indian word Suwani which means "Echo River". Others say Suwannee means River of Reeds, Deep Water, or Crooked Black Water. Tannic acid from decaying palmetto roots and vegetation causes the blackness of the water.

The river became immortalized in song by Stephen Foster who penned the classic "Old Folks At Home" in 1851. Since 1935 it has been the official state song of Florida.

Copy of lyrics for a minstrel show.

There are many trails in the park for the hiker to choose from. All have interpretive signs explaining the geology, ecological life zones and plants encountered along the way. One of the most scenic trails is Lime Sink Run, which parallels a creek that flows through craggy limestone outcrops and is dammed in places by beaver.

Cypress trees grace the banks of Lime Sink Run.

The Lime Sink Run Trail eventually connects with the Suwannee River Trail which hugs the bank of the river along a series of scenic high bluffs affording oustanding views of the river and dense hardwood hammocks floored with live oak, palmetto and cypress. Halfway along this track there are stairs leading down to Lime Spring. It rises up through the porous limestone of this area and empties directly into the river. Fed by the Floridian Aquifer it flows year-round.

Lime Spring gushes forth into the Suwannee River.

Lime Spring viewed from the trail on the bluff.

There are interesting historical sites within the park that include the remnants of a former logging town (Columbus) and a plantation which hummed with activity when this part of Florida was connected to the outside world by paddle-wheeled steamboats which regularly plied the Suwannee between here and the Gulf of Mexico. The remains of the Columbus Cemetary is within the park boundaries and is believed to be one the oldest in the state. The Sandhills Trail, which leads to the cemetary, is a segment of the old stage road which linked Pensacola to Jacksonville and was constructed in the early 1800s.

Just south of the main ranger station, is an earthen embankment constructed by the Confederate Army during the Civil War to protect the railroad bridge that crosses the Suwannee at this point. Florida provided essential supplies to the Confederacy such as beef, salt, sugar and grain. These vital commodities were shipped via rail to Georgia on this main trunk line from the interior of the state. Union troops dispatched from Jacksonville to capture the bridge were repulsed near the town of Olustee in a bloody hard fought battle on February 20, 1864.

Remains of the Confederate earthworks can still be seen today.

There are also oppourtunities for fishing, canoeing and camping. Two picnic pavilions, a playground and nice modern cabins are available for those who don't want to rough it too hard in this rustic woodsy setting. This park is suited to visitors of all stripes and levels of intended exertion. All trails are for foot traffic only, vehicles and horses are not permitted.

Colorful fungus grows on a downed log along Lime Sink Run.

Suwannee River State Park is a great place to experience the beauty of nature and the rich historical heritage of northern Florida. If you like it quiet and laid back than this is the place for you. Y'all come on down, ya heah?

Come sit a spell and enjoy the splendor that is the Suwannee.

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/suwanneeriver/

The author posing by Lime Spring.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

2006-10-30T17:54:00.000-08:00

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, in southern Walton County, is a 1,637 acre gem tucked away from the congestion and roar of nearby U.S. 98 and County Highway 30A which frame it's boundaries. It is named for an especially tall sand dune, which from a distance appears to resemble the topsail of a ship. The park was set aside because of the unique natural ecosystems found here, 14 in all, which include two freshwater coastal dune lakes, wet prairies, scrub, pine flatwoods, marshes, cypress domes, seepage slopes and 3.2 miles of sparkling white sand beaches. In fact Topsail Hill is the most intact coastal ecosystem in Florida.

We explored this lovely park on a sunny afternoon in late October with clear bright skies and temperatures hovering in the low 80's. A perfect day to explore this pristine preserve. Setting out from the Morris Lake trailhead, this 2.5 mile loop led us through a variety of diverse and interesting terrains. Starting out in a coastal scrub zone and eventually encountering the shores of a freshwater dune lake. From there we made our way across large dunes out onto a beautiful white sand beach set astride the crystal clear aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Trail through long leaf pine and oak scrub

Morris Lake

Morris Lake is a rare freshwater coastal dune lake. These lakes are rare because the water flows through the dunes and out into the Gulf of Mexico when the lake basin becomes full. The lakes are separated from the Gulf by a barrier beach and dune system which may be intermittent with or without a meandering tidal outlet. Some of the coastal dune lakes have dune systems 500 feet wide with ridges extending 10-30 feet high. Despite being considered low in nutrients, they nonetheless support a large diversity of plants and animals such as bladderworts, alligators, fish and osprey.

The intermittent connection to the Gulf is what makes these lakes rare and much is yet to be learned about how these natural treasures of the Florida coast function. The rapid rise of development in this part of the state, including around coastal dune lakes, raises the concern that nutrient runoff and sedimentation may impact their fragile ecosystems. More study is needed as these lakes experience increased encroachment from expanding human populations.

Campbell Lake

When coastal dune lakes flow out into the Gulf of Mexico saltwater can then make its way back into the lakes. Hurricanes also wash a substantial amount of saltwater into these lakes. The mixture of saltwater and freshwater has created different enviornments in these lakes supporting both freshwater and saltwater plants and animals.

Heed the warning sign on Campbell Lake

Small sink pond and cypress stand near Campbell Lake.

Beautiful white sand dunes separate the lakes from the shoreline of the Gulf.

Florida's dunes have changed dramatically over time as sea levels have risen and fallen. They are the result of the constant battle between the sea and shore. Sand is normally deposited by the surf where it accumulates on the beach. As the tide recedes it dries and is blown inland until it hits vegetation like sea oats or other shore plants and settles to the ground out of the direct path of the wind. Sand will continue to accumulate like this until it eventually forms massive dunes. They eventually erode when huge storm surges hit the front of the dune and the sand is inexorably drawn back into the sea.

Dead pines in the scrub zone

Rangers tell me that during Hurricane Opal, in 1995, a storm surge pushed into this area killing many of the established pines, like the ones pictured above. These dead trees or snags are important for birds, because they become infested with insects who gnaw at the dead wood tissue which attract birds who then feed on them. They also make excellent perches and nesting sites.

Topsail Beach

The white quartz sand beaches, of which this part of Florida is justifiably famous, comes from the Appalachain Mountains by way of the Appalachicola River which drains the uplands of Georgia and Alabama. The crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico in this region have inspired the name Emerald Coast to describe a span of shoreline stretching from Panama City to Pensacola. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has some of the loveliest sections of beach in the entire area, with many points of easy access.

In addition to natural beauty this park also contains a large full-service RV campground with camp store and shuffle board court (a fun Florida pastime). For more information you can go to: http://www.floridastateparks.org/topsailhill/

New blog about the natural world of Florida

2006-10-30T17:05:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog about the incredible adventures one can have exploring the many and varied landscapes of Florida. This blog will dedicate itself to exposing and sharing places of interest that I travel to up and down the byways of the Sunshine State, with an emphasis on sites of natural and cultural interest. I hope to eventually cover all of the state parks and many of the national park areas that have been set aside in this scenic paradise under the bright southern sun.

Join me for an adventure to discover the wilder side of America's fourth most poulous state, where mysterious and hidden beauty can be found without looking very hard. Please mind the gators and crocs.