(Click on images to enlarge, click again to zoom.)
For ten miles, the road stretches in a straight line through the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. Multiple trails lead from the road into pine woods, oak scrub and sandhill habitat dotted with saw-palmetto. We stop often to inspect the fine reddish-colored sand to see who has passed in the night. On this cool morning, Wild Turkey prints were abundant. There were also raccoon, opossum, deer, snakes and some we just could not identify.
We often talk about enjoying the silence of the forest. “Silence” is probably not the right word. Especially in spring. Eastern Towhees seemed to be everywhere this morning. From their clear whistled “tow-hee” call notes to the males loudly advising to “drink your teeeeaaa!”, it was non-stop wherever we were. After their winter absence, it was great to once again hear the ascending trills of the Northern Parula. “Churrs” of Red-bellied woodpeckers were puncuated with their hammering on branches. High-pitched squeaks of Brown-headed Nuthatches reverberated among the tops of the long-leaf pines. Fussy, squawking Scrub Jays, whistling Tufted Titmice, Carolina Wrens with a theme similar to the Towhee’s as they repeated seemingly non-stop “teakettle, teakettle, teakettle …“, a Red-shouldered Hawk screams overhead, Northern Bob-Whites calling out their name, the pure whistling of Cardinals.
One song we were hoping to hear materialized just after breakfast by the lake. “Heeeeere kitty kitty kitty.” The uncommon Bachman’s Sparrow is picky about where it lives. Pine forests with open palmetto and/or wiregrass as the only understory and where fire cleanses the area every few years. Icing on our morning cake!
Throw in a few buzzy insects and the forest can be downright noisy! The difference from our daily sounds of “civilization” is stark. Rather than the “silence” of the forest, perhaps we experience “stillness” which one definition describes as “freedom from agitation”. Although, that posing Bachman’s Sparrow created significant agitation as I fussed with camera settings and focusing and trying not to breathe or step on a dry twig or ………
Come on! What’s that over there?
There was no mistaking the pure song of an Eastern Meadowlark. Although we are more accustomed to seeing them in open fields, a bit of gold among the tall grass and pines was just as satisfying.
Fairly abundant in spring and summer, Smallfruit Beggarticks (Bidens mitis) provides terrific splashes of yellow along the edges of the forest.
Gray Catbirds are numerous from late fall through spring. As it becomes time to return to their northern breeding grounds, they form into groups as large as two dozen. This one had no interest in joining a group or worrying about us as it was intent on turning over every leaf in its pursuit of brunch.
Sometimes called hatpins, Flattened Pipewort (Eriocaulon compressum) was a bit of a surprise as it’s usually found near water. Perhaps there was some bit of moisture under the soil which made this dry-looking spot acceptable.
Palamedes Swallowtails (Pterourus palamedes) were busy throughout the woods.
Lots of white flowers waved at us on tall stalks as we enjoyed the beauty of Netted Pawpaw (Asimina reticulata). Soon, the plants will bear plenty of fruit for wildlife to nibble.
Although I took about a hundred photographs of this subject, I’ll be kind and only post one. A singing male Bachman’s Sparrow was the highlight of the day.
Gini thought this Pricklypear looked like a rabbit. Who am I to argue? (Opuntia species.) Looks like a Gopher Tortoise took a bite of the spiny bunny.
The Great Crested Flycatcher breeds throughout our area. And we are happy about that!
Near-endemic to Florida, the bright Florida Scrub Frostweed (Crocanthemum nashii) snuggles up to the Saw Palmetto, where rattlesnakes also like to snuggle.
Today, the woods rang out with the songs of Northern Parula warblers. They tend to be scarce during winter and our “local” birds may migrate to the southern part of the state. It’s wonderful to find so many returning to the area!
Another Florida near-endemic, Four-petal St. John’s Wort (Hypericum tetrapetalum) is a woody shrub which can grow to about three feet tall.
No visit to the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest would be complete without enjoying the antics of the Florida Scrub Jay. They did not disappoint.
Life offers challenges to us all. How we handle the challenges can make all the difference in our overall well-being. Our own hurdles with surgeries and infirmities definitely interrupted our lifestyle routine. We are healing. We are getting “Back On Track”.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Click on images to enlarge, click again to zoom.)
Thistles!
Thrilling!
I know. We’re easily excitable. Following a marathon of medical adventures, we needed to absorb as much fresh air as possible to recharge our souls. Today was a good step toward that goal.
A refresher on central Florida’s Green Swamp region. Over 560,000 acres of wetlands, flatlands and low ridges are bounded by prominent sandy ridgelines. The region forms a sort of plateau above a large portion of the peninsula’s aquifer system, which is an important source of drinking water for a large part of the state’s population. Rainwater drains across the surface to create the headwaters of four major rivers: the Withlacoochee, the Ocklawaha, the Hillsborough and the Peace. Habitat in the area includes sandhills, flatwoods, oak hammocks, river swamp and cypress ponds. An incredible diversity of life exists here.
(This morning’s adventure took place about a month ago, eight weeks after Gini’s second knee replacement surgery. She celebrated by doing her daily exercises on an old logging road.)
Our winter has been drier than normal and many of our favorite spots were filled with dust. Some low spots had a bit of dampness just below the surface and it was obvious that Spring was rapidly approaching. Those thistles were one indication, along with a host of nectar-loving insects on almost every bloom. Another hint of the coming seasonal change was the blue welcome flags hoisted atop dozens of Prairie (Savanna) Irises.
As winter wanes, avian visitors gather in small groups to fuel up for their return northward where they will begin seeking mates and building nests. The woods were filled with songs, chattering and scolding. Music to our ears.
We shall try to catch up on all of your blogs as we will be attempting to visit familiar patches and discover new venues.
(Insert rain dance music here >>>>)
A resident in this area is the Wood Stork. Although their overall population has been stable for several years, they are considered a threatened species due to their vulnerability to dry years and habitat loss.
One year, we will beat the wildlife to the small and delicious fruit of the Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). (Don’t bet too much on our success.)
Busy and noisy, the trees were bustiling with the small vacuum-cleaning efforts of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. The species breeds here, but seasonal migrants by the dozens really like our bugs. (And we appreciate their efforts to eat ’em all!)
It is all-too-easy to overlook nearby beauty when our eyes are affixed on distant beauty. While tromping toward the Highbush Blueberry blooms, I almost crushed several lovely White Bog Violets (Viola lanceolata) under my feet. Another refreshing sign of Spring.
Calling, hammering, calling. Red-bellied Woodpeckers were numerous and quite consumed with staking out territories, seeking willing mates and yelling at intruders into their domain. (That would be – us.)
Bumble Bee (Sp. Bombus) on Purple Thistle (Cirsium horridulum). There were plenty of flowers today, but based on the incredible number of new stalks we saw, this may soon become The Purple Swamp!
More screaming gang-bangers. Tufted Titmice, like many small birds, project an attitude several times their actual size. Don’t let them know, but we think they are just so stinkin’ cute!
Florida has over a dozen members of the Tillandsia genus hanging around in various habitats. By far, (with the exception of Spanish Moss/T. usneoides) the most common in our area is the Southern Needleleaf (Tillandsia setacea). It usually looks quite unkempt but makes up for it with a really beautiful bloom.
Beginning to bloom in late winter, the Netted Pawpaw (Asimina reticulata) can grow to over four feet tall and produces an edible fruit. Again, just try and find a ripe one before a ‘possum does!
We were happily relieved to see a sign that the area did actually have moist soil in several places. Morning sunlight showcased new blooms and there were many plants which should be in flower in the coming weeks. The light blue-to purple Prairie/Savanna Iris (Iris savannarum) was just what Doctor Nature ordered.
One of our favorites squeaked at us from a tall long-leaf pine tree. Soon, we counted six Brown-headed Nuthatches overhead doing their patented rubber-ducky impression. These little birds are among the earliest nesting songbirds in Florida, usually beginning to breed as early as the second week in February.
More thistles. More pollinators. Purple Thistle (Cirsium horridulum) with Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes). These were by far the most abundant butterfly species of the day.
Rounding out our survey of dampness evidence were many spreading tufts of bright blue created by the small flowers of Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium).
We remember things in certain ways. In discussing the Green Swamp, Gini and I tend to think of our visits during the wet season. Multiple shades of green and abundant flowers. The reality of near-drought conditions provided a different perspective, but one tinged with optimism fueled by more new growth than we anticipated. Can’t wait for the rains to work some magic!
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Click to enlarge images, click again to zoom.)
Sunrise. It happens every day. Many of us are still in bed or busy rushing to jobs or getting the kids ready for school and don’t notice our sun coming up right on schedule. Then – there are other days.
Our trip to the forest had already been an adventure. Some of those rushing to that job were so excited about getting there the dense fog didn’t slow them down one bit. Ghost vehicles suddenly appeared behind us only to zoom around, swerving back just in time to avoid becoming a grill decoration for an oncoming 18-wheeler.
Relief. We left the main highway, made a couple of turns on rural roads and just at “official sunrise time” arrived at the welcome red clay road which runs straight for ten miles through the heart of a portion of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. Today we could scarcely see a few dozen yards ahead, much less the sun. Perfect!
Longleaf pines on either side of us faded into gray apparitions before disappearing altogether. The air was damp and normal sounds of the forest were absent. No birds or insects at all. Standing still, the silence was ethereal and quite pleasant.
It was the third week of February. Cold weather had taken a break and the day began a bit cool and became comfortably warm by 10:00. The forest understory was littered with small white decorations Gini declared fairies had created during the night. Close. Little sheetweaver spiders could be considered fairies. Right?
Imperceptibly, the low ground-hugging cloud layers disappeared to reveal bright blue skies dotted with a few pure white clouds. Bird calls and songs seemed to be all around us. Insects scattered with each footfall. A fox squirrel scolded loudly at our intrusion into its domain. Flowers. In February.
See for yourself……
Fairies. Worldwide there are nearly 5,000 species of sheetweaver and dwarf spiders (Family Linyphiidae). I don’t think we saw that many webs, but we didn’t actually count them all.
One of the members of this large family is called a Bowl and Doily Weaver Spider (Frontinella communis). Pretty distinctive web.
This looks like there may have been a web-building contest between a sheetweaver and an orbweaver.
The sun began making an effort to burn through the fog at our favorite breakfast spot on the shore of a small lake.
The support structure of a boat dock made a fine spot for an orbweaver to showcase her talents. Morning dew added a few jewels to her creation.
As the fog lifted, the woods and scrub became active and loud. A Northern Mockingbird stopped singing long enough to glance our way just to be sure we were no threat.
Some areas were littered with Florida Pricklypear (Opuntia austrina) and Deer Moss Lichen (Cladonia spp.).
A small female Downy Woodpecker busily probed for breakfast.
Slightly larger than its cousin, the Downy, a Hairy Woodpecker has a noticeably larger bill. This species is not very common throughout Florida.
We did not expect to see much in the way of blooming flora at this time of year, and we didn’t. A nice surprise were several patches of Florida Lupine (Lupinus floridanus). Different from other Lupine species by less intensely-colored blooms, this plant is endemic to Florida and only occurs in a few counties.
Another unexpected pleasure was finding several butterfly species searching for something with nectar. (“Hey – over there – Lupine juice!”) This small Barred Yellow (Eurema daira) is in its winter form and as summer approaches the underside will turn satiny white.
Found only in scrub areas in Florida, the Florida Scrub Jay remains in loose family groups throughout the year. As breeding season kicks in, first-year birds from the previous season will help take care of newly hatched jays this year. Typical of jays, once one spotted us, he raised the alarm and a half-dozen soon surrounded us yelling and pointing.
From thick fog-soaked forest to sunny skies and singing birds, our morning in the pine woods was incredibly enjoyable. We can’t wait to get back. Gini is itching to get her feet in that red clay and dance, dance, dance.
We hope you enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Click on images to enlarge, click again to zoom.)
A few very cold mornings are uncomfortable events for these native Floridians. Ever the optimist, Gini opined that the below freezing temperatures will help “set” the sweetness for our local strawberry farmers who run sprinklers all night to provide a frozen blanket to protect the little red bundles of pleasure.
Today, the thermometer rose sufficiently for us to venture out and explore what used to be our local “patch”, which once was a ten minute drive. Our new home is over 30 minutes away but we braved the onslaught of morning commuters to see how things are at Tenoroc Fish Management Area.
Gini is not up to hiking yet so our sights and sounds were enjoyed mostly from the car. Even so, we found plenty to make us happy.
“If it is your nature
to be happy
you will swim away along the soft trails for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.”
(From Morning Poem by Mary Oliver.)
Trumpeting from the skies, a group of Sandhill Cranes headed northeast. They all appeared to be adults which means they are likely winter migrants. Florida has a resident subspecies but it is rare to see more than three or four individuals (family group) together.
Another winter visitor, an Eastern Phoebe. These little flycatchers are fairly abundant at this time of year.
Florida’s state bird is the Northern Mockingbird. They are so common it is easy to pass them by without taking their picture. I’m trying to rectify that sad habit. Those eyes!
Butcher Bird! The Loggerhead Shrike will use any sharp object to impale its prey thus making it easier to eat. They have been known to store prey in a convenient crook of a branch for eating later when food might be scarce.
Lovely to look at, especially with bright green pine needles as a backdrop, the Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) has bright red seeds in a brown pod. Pretty lavender flowers will begin blooming in a few weeks. Caution. Those shiny seeds contain the deadly toxin abrin and can be fatal if swallowed. This is a non-native plant from India/Asia.
“Look straight up!” I was getting out of the car to chase a warbler, but her shout revealed a huge flock of birds high overhead. From several photos I estimate there were 220-250 Laughing Gulls in the group. There was a mix of mature/immature birds in breeding and non-breeding plumage. Never seen a flock of gulls that large.
Speaking of that warbler. We found around three dozen Palm Warblers in various size groups throughout the morning.
This area consists of many lakes filled with fish. Naturally, Ospreys like the proximity to all those groceries and nests abound at this time of year.
Another very invasive plant, the Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia) is a native of South America and displaces native species if allowed to thrive. It is very difficult to eradicate. One reason it’s so hard to control is those darned birds love the juicy red fruit and spread the digested seeds far and wide. Although we were happy to find a group of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings busily consuming the energy-rich berries, we wished there were native plants for them to visit instead.
American Robin.
Cedar Waxwing.
This was our first outing of any length since Gini’s second knee operation. She is doing very will with rehab but is not quite ready for walking over uneven terrain. Soon.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Click on images to enlarge. Click again to zoom)
The recently plowed ground was unsettling in several ways. There had always been orange trees here. Across the road were ghosts of orange trees. Some dead and withering hulks of their former selves. Some were newly planted and wrapped in plastic giving them an ethereal appearance in the pre-dawn light. Two miles south, about 100 acres of former citrus grove is now filled with tents under which new trees are offered some protection from a devastating greening disease, likely insect borne. The tents are called CUPS (citrus under protective screening) and they are finding some success on a commercial scale.
Will this former citrus grove soon sprout groves under tents? Or new, exposed trees? Or some other crop? Or will we soon see the ominous (in my opinion) shadows of steel and plastic of the rapidly developing fields of solar arrays?
For the moment, we take heart in the fact our sun has decided to rise one more glorious day. Just for us.
As children, we were taught the importance of planning. Lay out our clothes for school tomorrow. Be sure our books and papers are next to the clothes. The complexity of our planning increased with each year. Eventually, we attended formal training on the significance of setting goals. Year-end seminars assessed how successful we were in fulfilling those goals.
Yup. Goal-setting is important. Teach your kids to do it.
However …
Teach them it is just as vital to do stuff that isn’t on their list of goals. Lead them gently outside the box of life as they know it and show them the wonders that might exist out there. Praise them for setting those goals, yes. Encourage them to follow that well-worn path through the forest. Be excited for the one who veers down the lesser beaten path. And should you have one who suddenly tries to claw her way through a bramble to get to a pretty flower – keep a very close eye on her. That rebellious streak is special and needs nurturing.
Gini and I wandered south one morning. We enjoyed that sunrise above, despite the misgivings about the plowed field. Bugs, blooms and birds littered the country roads. We didn’t make a list of anything. We held hands and made eye contact with a vulture.
It doesn’t get much better than that.
An abundance of fences in open spaces usually means an abundance of perchers. A winter visitor illustrates that premise. The Palm Warbler was part of a gang of a dozen feeding nearby.
Blooming flowers attract butterflies like those fences attract warblers. Here, a Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes) sipped breakfast nectar from a Caesarweed (Urena lobata) bloom. The plant is an invasive which crowds out native flora.
Gini heard the Killdeer calling and we eventually spotted one running across an open patch. If they don’t move, they can be tough to see.
The small Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) is one of our more common dragonflies. White face, blue abdomen, racing stripe thorax and those green eyes – identify the male.
As kids, we called the Loggerhead Shrike “Butcher Bird”. They impale their prey on a sharp object like a thorn or barb of a fence wire where it ripens until perfect for a late lunch.
This was only our second sighting of an Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola). Don’t tell it that flower is a nasty invasive species. It would just give you that typical butterfly retort: “Hey! Nectar is nectar!“.
Who couldn’t love that face? Other than the Turkey Vulture’s mother.
Large and in charge. Walking through the web of the Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) strung across the path in the morning seems obligatory for yours truly.
The unplanned morning drive was incredibly refreshing. No list of anything sighted. No disappointment of not fulfilling a goal. Just total relaxation and enjoyment. We may do it again next year.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Personal Note: Gini had a successful second total knee replacement recently and is recovering. She has scheduled dance lessons for us this spring. Fingers crossed.)
Our Natural Places 