The Ridge (3)
Header Image: Great Crested Flycatcher
We had been spotted by a gang and were soon surrounded. Either side of the path was covered with dense Saw Palmetto as far as the eye could see. Our only choice was to forge ahead and hope we would not be assaulted.
Late summer in Florida. Some of our smaller avian citizens begin to form in mixed groups as they prepare for long migratory flights to Central and South America. This morning, after our brunch by the lake, we struck out to explore. A loud group made up of Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Parula, Downy Woodpecker and Great Crested Flycatcher let us know we had been detected. Truth be told, they were already in the area scouring for insects and they simply squawked a bit to let the rest of the forest know we were out and about.
This tract of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest consists of one dirt road which runs straight for about five miles. Most of the time, we must turn around at a locked gate and return the same way we came. Which is fine with us. There are several parking spots and multiple trails to explore. Taking a path in one direction will lead to the shore of large Lake Arbuckle. An alternate trail sends you through upland pine forest. Choose differently to explore low-growing scrub oak and saw palmetto terrain. Follow a creek among large hardwood trees such as oak, hickory, sweetgum and magnolia.
This diverse habitat is a magnet for an incredible variety of flora and fauna. It’s why we are here.
We only spent about four hours in the forest on this day. I know we have shared quite a few images and there will be one more segment before we move along to another area. We hope you don’t mind how much we have shared. Hopefully, you understand why.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Our Natural Places 
I could have easily mistaken your Sandweed for our Common St. Johnswort save for the lack of marginal spots. I am uneducated on Saw Palmetto and how it might have assaulted you, unless you simply meant that crashing through it might be difficult. I know that it is supposed to be some magic cure for that ailment many of us older gentleman suffer from. Although I am familiar with Opuntias Devil’s Tongue was a new name to me.
LikeLike
The “saw” part of the palmetto can be wicked if you try to get through the stuff in a hurry.
Turns out there are several names for what I’ve always called Prickly Pear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can see so much when you spend time in natural areas here in Florida. We saw lots of dragonflies yesterday but didn’t get any good photos. They were too busy flying around eating insects. We still took a ‘few’ photos of other things though! haha! Enjoy your afternoon!
LikeLike
It is probably a good thing we can’t photograph everything we see or else we would never have time to get out and see the things we want to see.
See?
LikeLike
The beeflies on the blackroot were a nice surprise, hidden details that made me smile. And your Great Crested Flycatcher was wonderful – what a treat to see such a beautiful bird. Like your other readers, I always look forward to heading down the trails with you and Ginni, and hope you never quit. More is better!
LikeLike
I only wish I could learn to spot those bug “surprises” in the field instead of during post-processing.
We both appreciate your very kind remarks. No quitting happening here any time soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your header image is fabulous, Wally – that Great Crested Flycatcher is gorgeous!
I have always thought that ‘Prickly Pear’ was a very generalised term which embraced a whole raft of Opuntia species. Have I mentioned before that, many moons ago, I used to grow cacti for a hobby? I remember one particular Opuntia species (I can’t remember the specific name) that I grew. It hade very large heart-shaped pads which were powder-blue going to purple at the edges. It also sported fine orange glochids. As this particular one was rather beautiful, it was kept in a window in the house. It lost favour with Lindsay one day when she leaned too close to it and ended up with a stomach full of glochids. I had the job of removing them.
“mind how many images” – you have to be joking! You have just about shown enough to leave me dangling there, anxious for more!
I’m pleased to report that Lindsay is doing well, and all looks positive here.
Best wishes to you and Gini – – – Richard
LikeLike
Your very kind remarks help keep our staff motivated, Richard. Thank you.
Having been on the receiving end of more cacti spines than I can count, I totally empathize with Lindsay. Cactus out. Harmless plant in.
Gini and I are very pleased to hear the positive report on your Chief Executive Officer’s health. May you both have a wonderful new week.
Must dash now to batten down our hatches, Hurricane Idalia approacheth.
LikeLike
Keeping fingers crossed for you with Idalia. Stay safe – – – Richard
LikeLike
Thank you for your positive thoughts, Richard. They apparently worked. All is good this morning.
The storm remained offshore just enough to provide rain but not much wind, both of which we are still enjoying with our coffee.
All the best to you both.
LikeLike
I smiled at your comment about reaching the gate and being forced to turn around and retrace your steps. I often do that by choice, looking on one side as I travel “out” and on the other side as I return. Looking back and forth almost certainly guarantees that I’ll miss even more than I usually do.
There sure is a lot to like in these photos. Is that a little bee heading for the false buttonweed, or a hoverfly? I knew the St. John’s Wort, and its genus, but when I looked at the map, I discovered we don’t have this one. We do have a dozen or so Hypericumspecies, but this one stops at the Louisiana border. The way the stamens turn red with age is attractive. The Blackroot’s genus name, Pterocaulon caught my eye, and reminded me of pterodactyls. I wondered about the prefix, so I looked it up and discovered ‘Ptero-‘ means ‘winged. I took another look, and sure enough, the plant has winged stems. Voila!
LikeLike
Isn’t that an interesting phenomenon? We just passed that way, yet, we see so much more on the return trip.
I saw that photo-bomber during processing but couldn’t come up with a good guess. Seems too small for a sweat bee but I don’t know.
The Sandweed typically grows taller than our other Hypericum species, often reaching 5-6 feet. Also, it’s other common name, Peelbark, is often seen in the red bark of some branches peeling back a bit.
Nice work on the Blackroot. I forgot to mention the small Bee Flies hard at work on the flowers. I believe they are some form of Poecilognathus species.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Opuntia austrina is a new one for me. How nice that you still have prickly pear flowers so far into the year. Do you know what makes this species more of a Devil’s tongue than any other?
Your mention of “large Lake Arbuckle” reminds me of the silent film star Fatty Arbuckle, whose career was ended by a scandal. I trust nothing threatens to put an end to Lake Arbuckle.
LikeLike
Taxonomists seem to have decided to enure I remain confused. Prickly Pear and Devil’s Tongue seem to be synonyms for some species of Opuntia.
O. austrina and O. humifusa are referred to as the same species by some state botanical data bases and as separate by others.
I used the USDA nomenclature.
But my confusion remains.
A prickly topic.
LikeLike
Just don’t let botanists needle you too much.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing the lovely details and scientific names. Nice to see this beautiful nature.
LikeLike
We like seeing it, too!
Thank you for visiting with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mind you much you have shared? Hell no. I am grateful. And rejoice in the beauty and the wonder that I might not see for myself.
Nature is the perfect antidote for the worries that beset me and our world.
LikeLike
We’ll just keep sharing in that case!
Rejoice – Spring is right around the bend.
LikeLike
Sorry to hear about your downs Wally and Gini.
Ups and downs come with the territory of being boomers like Sue and I. However there are many ups and not too many downs, the negatives being always about health, the positives around being together after 50+ years and having had the best of the mostly optimistic world of those same years. We worry about our kids and grand-kids growing up in the current world that is not at all nice.
Two weeks and a bit and Sue has already started packing my clothes, ticking off the list for Greece and assigning each evening to a particular favourite restaurant. I may get a look in soon with a chance to pack essentials like spare batteries, a laptop, bins and my medication but don’t hold your breath.
Seventy nine people and more arrested in Greece for arson (thankfully not in Skiathos but mainland) – they clearly haven’t been taking any notice of their politicians and climate “scientists”. All they had to do was wait for spontaneous combustion and The End of The World. Any day now.
LikeLike
We are definitely in the category of more ups than downs. I just whine a lot when I go more that a couple of days without visiting the great outdoors.
It’s gratifying to hear about one other pair who has weathered over 50+ years and remained optimistic. We are an endangered species.
Hopefully, the Greeks will make examples of the firebugs. Also hopefully, Skiathos will remain unscorched.
Number One Grandson is visiting so we’ll be having a grand Taco Party to celebrate. He lives in a Big City and loves it. We plan electro-shock therapy for dessert.
Here’s to The End of The World. Imminent.
LikeLike