Header Image: Florida Scrub Jay
Wisps of fog hugged the pastures. Still just below the horizon, the sun was turning the eastern sky pink as we drove past the fields of drowsy cattle and moved through several miles of orange groves. Big Lake Reedy loomed to the north as we turned eastward toward the even larger Lake Arbuckle. We slowed to scan the wetlands on either side of the road and made the turn south onto Rucks Dairy Road. In another mile, we would enter the Arbuckle Tract of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest.
But first, an impossibly blue White-mouthed Dayflower demanded our attention.
Millions of years in the past, what is now called the state of Florida was covered by water. Tectonic shifting eventually pushed land masses around and the southeastern peninsula of North America began to form. As ancient seas receded, sands were deposited and formed a ridge along the north-south axis of the state. The largest remnant of this activity is now called the Lake Wales Ridge as it extends about 50 miles north and south of the community of the same name.
Over the past 20 million years, this spine of sand dunes became a haven for all sorts of land life forms as the surrounding area was still under water. Eventually, the oceans uncovered the remaining part of Florida just in time for the tourists to arrive. In the meantime, a plethora of unique flora and fauna flourished among the groves of scrub oak trees, upland pine forests, saw palmetto, white sand and many fresh-water ponds of The Ridge.
Human beings went about developing the area for agriculture, cattle ranching, housing and, of course, that most important of commodities, huge venues to keep us entertained. A few radical thinkers looked around and said: “Hey, what about the Sand Skink?” Naturally, they were shouted down. In time, more radical thinkers discovered the Florida Scrub Jays were living in ever more crowded conditions and someone decided to set aside a bit of land where bugs, birds and blooms which couldn’t survive anywhere else could eke out an existence.
On this day, Gini and I spent a wonderful morning along the Lake Wales Ridge.
Join us.
So much to see. This is one of our favorite areas for exploring nature. At any time of year, we find something unique, something beautiful, something to talk about. Stick around. There is more to come.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Additional Information
State Forest ( https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Lake-Wales-Ridge-State-Forest)
Header Image: Common Ground Dove
“It’s orange!”
The mistress of understatement flung her index finger toward the top of a small tree. I followed the track and located the indicated insect. It was, as described, orange. Not only that, it was something new, to us. The bright bug was a Clay-colored Leaf Beetle (Anomoea laticlavia), in the Family Chrysomelidae. There are over 1700 species in that Family, many of which have not yet been named.
Another day of enjoyment and discovery was in progress.
There has been discussion here and there about how similar some species in one area may be to those in a completely different geographical region. Flowers we see in Florida we are certain we encountered in Texas. Except, there are differences. The Black-capped Chickadees we enjoyed in upstate New York certainly appear similar to Florida’s Carolina Chickadees. But, that song?
Nature teaches us about survival. Along the way, if we remain open to learning, she also teaches us that knowing the differences among species may not be our most important task. Observe, instead, the similarities. That may be the key to our own survival.
Incredible variety in our exploration keeps Gini and I returning to field, forest, swamp, coast – outside – not only to discover a new, colorful beetle. We relish the familiar with the same amount of excitement and wonder.
Imitation being the ultimate form of flattery, a beautiful Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) apparently likes the looks of a Monarch (Danaus plexippus) and really hopes you don’t want to eat one!
Sneaking around in the woods is not really possible with the local Neighborhood Watch on duty. A Red-bellied Woodpecker wasted no time alerting the locals to our presence.
It’s a Dragonfly! It’s a Butterfly! Nope. Another new creature for us: it’s an Owlfly (Ululodes spp.)! They are efficient hunters of little insects such as mosquitoes – I really love our new discovery!
Feay’s Palafox (Palafoxia feayi) is a unique plant in the Aster family. Endemic to Florida, it’s found only in the central and southern part of the peninsula.
One of those “familiar” individuals we talked about earlier, a small Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) survives by emulating the flight of a wasp. Who would want to eat a wasp?
Orange was prevalent throughout the morning. One of the most commonly encountered butterflies in this area is the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae). Many were active today and we even chanced upon a larva, hiding under a twig.
In the “not as bright orange” category, is the Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia). Upper wing color can vary from orange to almost brown. With its wings folded up it can look like a dead leaf. Who would want to eat a dead leaf?
Another plant found only in Florida is the Florida Alicia (Chapmannia floridana). It’s buttery blooms are favored by many pollinators, especially the Southern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa micans).
You may be tired of hearing this, but – we found another new bug! This Thick-headed Fly (Physoconops species) is striking in its beautiful appearance as well as its initial resemblance to a wasp. And who would want to eat — you know.
One day, no white butterflies. The next day and they seem to be all over the joint! It’s okay. We’ll look at as many Great Southern White (Ascia monuste) butterflies as Nature will allow. The female is a bit darker than the male.
We already introduced this superstar, so we won’t put you through that “new bug” thing again. At least this Clay-colored Leaf Beetle (Anomoea laticlavia) was a cooperative model. Appearing pure orange at a distance, closer inspection revealed some stylish striped underthings.
To answer the burning question you all have: “Who would want to eat THAT??” – we give you that daring diminutive damsel — Rambur’s Forktail (Ischnura ramburii)!
“Nature is an endless combination and repetition of a very few laws. She hums the old well-known air through innumerable variations.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our morning was filled with Nature’s variations on a theme. We know the melody. We’re familiar with the rhythm. The words change with the season and the location. We truly hope you each find your very own special combination and repetition of a song Nature intends you to hear.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Header Image: Leavenworth’s Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii)
It is hot.
It is humid.
It is summer.
It is Florida, a sub-tropical location.
We tend to arise early in order to be at our destination near sunrise. After a couple of hours, we return home.
It is hot.
Our pace during the summer is slower than in cooler months. This has advantages. Take our walk last week, for example. We spent about an hour-and-a-half along the trail but only traveled about a half-mile. Every few steps seemed to reveal something interesting. A bit of color in the distance required investigating beyond the marked trail. The rainy season has provided a wonderful diversity of life in the forest!
My resident math expert advises that if I would quit talking we could all realize a savings of over 30,000 words. Who am I to argue with arithmetic (not to mention SWMBO)?
(Yes, there are a lot of pictures. Not sorry.)
Along the path, we met a Fun-gi who introduced us to a few of his friends.
It is hot. Find a place that’s comfortable to walk and go early. Whether you stroll, saunter or (do as we do in the Deep South) sashay – slow down. You might be amazed at what you find!
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(UPDATED Site Note: By popular demand — images have reverted to a large size. Clicking on the images will still provide a detailed view from which one can zoom in. Other small site changes have been made and others are in the works. Please let us know if you have any issues or suggestions which will make your experience a better one.)
In the early mornings of our summer we celebrate the drops of dew as they shine like so many jewels scattered among the leaves of grass, clinging to flower petals and resting atop floating lily pads. Insects take awhile to become sufficiently dry before they can scurry or fly around to attend to their daily chore of survival. Humidity is like a blanket made of woolen steam and we wish for a whisper of a breeze to provide relief.
The good news is that all of our rainy season moisture infuses Nature with the properties necessary to generate and sustain life. Birds are now busy raising new families. The insect population is at its peak, which coincides with those new young birds learning how to feed themselves. Flower production is in overdrive in order to support the burgeoning bug crowd. The circle of life is in full swing.
We love it!
My alarm clock is named Gini. She gently nudges me in bed and lovingly whispers “want to go for a ride?”. Granola bars and fruit are tossed into a bag. Water tumblers are jammed with ice. We race the sun to our patch. Another glorious day has begun.
Bird activity is nothing like it will be when fall migration begins. Many birds remain quiet and inconspicuous as they may have young ones close at hand or may have begun their annual molt, during which time they are not as agile as normal and may be vulnerable to predators. We understand and don’t mind turning our attention to other natural subjects.
The morning was a bit shortened by an early thunderstorm. Our enjoyment had no limit.
An Anhinga found a handy perch from which to wait patiently for breakfast to swim along.
We enjoyed a bumper crop of American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea).
A well-camouflaged nest has done its job for this year as it provided a comfortable home for a new family of White-eyed Vireos.
Hiding among the lotus blooms was a deep purple Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata). A favorite of pollinators everywhere.
Bright daisy-like flowers adjacent to the pine woods turned out to be Prairie Fleabane (Erigeron strigosus). Many of the plants were over three feet tall.
During their first year, Little Blue Herons are white, turning into a combination of blue/gray/white as the year progresses and eventually into the slate blue of an adult as they begin their second year.
Florida lists 29 species of plants in the genus Ipomoea, which includes the Morning Glory. This one is known as Man-of-the-Earth (Ipomoea pandurata) and is also called Wild Potato, Wild Sweet Potato and Manroot. By any name, a beautiful flower!
Our early morning summer explorations continue to be absolutely fabulous! There is just so much to see and experience that our senses are easily overwhelmed. Yes, it’s hot. As long as we’re able, though, we shall continue to linger “in the golden gleam”*.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
*The title of today’s post is from a poem by Lewis Carroll. A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43907/a-boat-beneath-a-sunny-sky
Header Image: Coreopsis
I think Gini should have become a television meteorologist in Florida. She looks good, knows how to use her pointer finger (as a weapon, at times) and can enunciate “mostly cloudy” better than most. The ability to be correct 50% of the time is way below her lifetime average of 100%. Instead of all that fame, glory and untold wealth, she chose a life with – me.
I continue to be the luckiest man in the universe.
Summer in Florida can be like living within a steam room from which there is no escape. The rains come according to nature’s long-established schedule. Some years there is more rain than others. On average, the Sunshine State receives over 50 inches of rain each year. With all that watering of the landscape, our forests, fields and swamps become a lush paradise for living organisms of all sorts. As usual, some human organisms are not all that thrilled.
We really do appreciate the efforts of the New York born engineer who has been credited with inventing modern air-conditioning, Willis Carrier, even though a Floridian, Dr. John Gorrie, beat him to it by 50 years. (https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/gorrie/gorrie.htm)
At this time of year, we celebrate the fact we can escape nature’s steam room for the cool comfort of the living room, no matter who invented it!
Lush and diverse has been an understatement in our recent explorations. Each day I’m conflicted as to which equipment to carry down the trail. Long lens (a bird! a deer!); wide-angle lens (flowers! landscapes!); macro lens (small flowers! bugs!). Alas, I have learned the hard way that I can no longer carry it all. One lens and hope I guess right.
Today we visited nearby Colt Creek State Park. It sits on the edge of the vast Green Swamp and is filled with pine woods, cypress domes, open fields, creeks, lakes and, most of all – Nature!
Come on along! The air-conditioning will wait patiently for your return.
Three-fer! Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) and Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) on Nuttall’s Thistle (Cirsium nuttallii). Pretty sure the lovely Ms. Lynx was about to pounce but Mr. Carpenter had somewhere else to Bee and buzzed away unharmed. This time.
Forest edges are overflowing with flowers. One of the most abundant here is Leavenworth’s Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii). There are 15 species of Coreopsis listed for Florida and the group is so attractive the powers-that-be decided to make the whole genus our Sate Wildflower.
This group includes: Leavenworth’s Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii), Mock Bishop’s Weed (Ptilimnium capillaceum) and Oakleaf Fleabane (Erigeron quercifolius).
Sleepy Swallow-tailed Kites were just waking up and preening. They typically wait for the morning air to warm and create rising thermals which the sleek raptors use for soaring as they hunt for flying insects, frogs, lizards and snakes.
Two similar-looking butterflies of the Brushfoot family are equally attractive.
Almost as small as some damselflies, a Little Blue Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax minuscula) flew up in front of me or else I might have walked right past. This immature male has the same appearance as a female but will soon develop the overall powdery blue of an adult.
Two of my favorites in one photograph! Lovebug (Plecia nearctica) on Carolina Desert-chicory (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus). Okay, maybe one of these (hint, it’s the fly) is probably our least favorite summer resident. Scraping millions of them from the car, along with the paint, is not pleasant.
A female Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) enjoys a morning snack.
All-green helps young nymphs of the American Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca americana) blend in with green leaves so they have a chance of surviving the many would-be predators looking for them.
A post without an alligator is like a summer day without humidity.
Mid-morning and the thermals support the Swallow-tailed Kites as they begin their day of hunting. This one found a frog for brunch.
Big. Colorful. That sums up our Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, (Romalea microptera). On the way to becoming an adult, they are mostly black.
Even though they are fairly abundant, we love spotting the small and colorful Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis). As with many dragonflies, male and female are different in appearance.
All brown can be beautiful. And those eyes! Mischievous Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca damnifica).
‘Tis the rainy season in Florida. Big drops of water become torrents, rumbling dark clouds move across the peninsula right on Nature’s schedule, lightning illuminates even the mid-day skies – and we love it! Yes, we get hot and sticky and can’t wait to return to the comfort offered by modern air conditioning. But the diverse offerings of our natural world keep us coming back for more.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Our Natural Places 