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We needed a “Nature Fix”.
(About a month ago, Gini was advised to have a pacemaker/defibrilator implanted to improve the quality and duration of her life. No long discussion needed. The procedure was done on July 1 and she’s recovering nicely. Thank you for all the well-wishes. We both very sincerely appreciate it.)
A couple of weeks before heading to the operating room, Gini asked if we could go for a ride. Of course.
Early on a Tuesday, we waited for the gate to open at Colt Creek State Park. This is one of our favorite haunts due to all that it has to offer and the fact that it’s only a 20 minute drive from the house.
It was a typical Florida morning. Bright blue skies, sunshine doing its job of drying dew-laden plants, deer and rabbits foraging along the edges of the forest, insects beginning their daily routine of feeding/mating/surviving, birds singing. The chorus of cicadas rose and fell like a wave rolling onto a beach. Hammering woodpeckers reminded us of an army of carpenters busily building new houses. Red-shouldered Hawks called from the sky and our breeding season Swallow-tailed Kites soared gracefully just above the treetops. Softshell Turtles and alligators at the lake, wading birds in the wetlands, Pig Frogs grunting from the creek and – the flowers.
A table under a pine tree was a perfect spot to enjoy our breakfast as we held hands and reflected on a life well-lived. We are blessed.
The Florida humidity and rising temperature were rapidly reaching the uncomfortable level. A cool breeze was almost startling as it refreshed our perspiring faces. With the wind were whispers of all we had experienced during the morning and promises of even more to come.
A Blue Grosbeak belted out his morning song to all who would listen. We did.
There are so many things to like about the fascinating Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). Lovely colors, intricate bloom pattern, host to butterfly larvae of fritillaries and longwings. And, if you are a predator, not a bad place to lurk for prey.
Beautiful, blue and small, the Canadian Toadflax (Nuttallanthus canadensis) is easy to overlook. Earlier in the spring, they can be found en masse where they provide a lavender haze to a field.
Many birds are very busy at this time of year raising chicks, feeding them, teaching them to fly and generally being good parents. This Tufted Titmouse checked us out to make certain we weren’t a threat.
These small lovely flowers may be Florida Bluehearts (Buchnera floridana), based upon location, plant height, leaf blade appearance and relative size of calyx and corolla. They are very similar to American Bluehearts (B. americana).
Standing almost three feet tall with the tops covered in bright yellow blooms, it’s easy to see why all sorts of insects love the Butterweed (Packera glabella). So do we!
Snake! Brakes! Jump out! Lay down on the road! Snap a picture! Stand up to change to a better position – learn (again) why it’s called “r-a-c-e-r”. To be specific, the North American Racer (Coluber constrictor). Beautiful!
A lovely white flower. Which isn’t a flower. A painful stinging nettle. Which isn’t a nettle. Botany is frustrating. Enjoying pretty things is pleasant. I choose the latter. This pretty “flower”, which we grew up calling “Stinging Nettle” (along with really bad words when we touched one), is more gently named Tread-softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus). The white petals are actually sepals. It is not an actual nettle but a member of the Euphorbia family. I have read this bad plant has an edible root. Yeah, hard pass.
Seldom growing over 18 inches tall, Clasping Venus’s Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata) produces gorgeous bluish-purple tubular flowers.The common name appears to come from the seeds, which have a slightly flattened look to them resembling a hand mirror.
As we headed for the park exit, a Swallow-tailed Kite escorted us toward the gate. Okay, so it was actually just following the road where it often finds tasty treats resting or crossing or racing.
We enjoyed a very pleasant morning. Flora, fauna, good company. We can still close our eyes, feel the cool breeze on our faces and hear the whispers of nature. Live your best life today.
We hope you enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
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This year has been a bit different than others.
“Getting old“, my bride says, “is not for sissies.” Indeed. Hindsight indicates we should have purchased one of those extended service warranties for our bodies. Our appointment calendar sure has been filled with visits to all sorts of medical practioners, laboratories, imaging services and we are now on a first-name basis with the local pharmacist.
This hectic attempt to maintain some semblance of reasonable health has severely crimped our exploration life-style. Long trips have been few and far between. We therefore have been relegated to visiting mostly nearby venues repeatedly. That has not been a bad thing.
Repeat visits have allowed us to find previously undiscovered (by us) spots and to watch the same areas change as the seasons progress. Yes, we record the same species of flora and fauna much of the time. Somehow, we have yet to grow tired of doing so.
We have passed a group of sunflowers before, photographed several of the blooms before, enjoyed their bright sunshine-yellow color before – but, today, we found a Leafcutter Bee in the center of a big sunflower. That is something we have NOT seen before.
At this time of year, sighting a Gulf Fritillary butterfly is very common. But, today, we found a larva which had nearly formed a chrysalis of that butterfly for the first time at this place. We saw more than a dozen flower species today, all of which we have encountered previously here. But, today, we found a type of orchid we have never seen here.
Our lifestyle may be changing as are we, but our lives continue to be on a journey which offers marvels for us to behold. Familiar or new, we plan to absorb it all!
Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and Carpenter-mimic Leafcutter Bee (Megachile xylocopoides). This bee carries pollen on hairs on the abdomen instead of baskets on their legs like other bees.
We came across a larva about to be a chrysalis for the Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae) butterfly. Adults were plentiful this morning.
Spiny thistle-like leaves of the Mexican Pricklypoppy (Argemone mexicana) protect the large lovely flowers. It can be found in most states of the eastern U.S.
An abundance of blooms attracts an abundance of insects. That is quite satisfactory for the Bar-winged Skimmer (Libellula axilena). This large dragonfly happens to enjoy a bug buffet.
Nothing like a bit of bright red to offer some highlights to the edge of the forest. Today, Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea) seemed especially abundant.
Something new for us here was finding several Spring Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes vernalis). These are terrestrial orchids and can sometimes grow to 24 inches in height.
The lovely butter-colored blossoms of Four-petal St. Johnswort (Hypericum tetrapetalum) are a welcome sight in the pine forest. Blue-green oval leaves which clasp the woody stems add to the unique nature of this plant which only occurs in Florida and southern Georgia.
Its unique appearance belies the fact that Blackroot (Pterocaulon pycnostachyum) is a member of the Aster family, although, it is the only member of its genus within Florida. No, I have not dug one up to verify the roots are black. (And don’t recommend anyone else should, either.)
With flowers seldom wider than about one-quarter inch, Annual Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium rosulatum) could easily be overlooked. That would be a mistake. The white and often yellow blossoms are exceedingly beautiful. (In my not-so-humble opinion.)
We came across a flower which, although common, we don’t recall seeing before. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is abundant across the country and throughout most of the world. It is not native to North America and may have originated in the Mediterranean. The species name, intybus, is derived from the Egyptian word for January.
From the real thing to a pretender. Not chicory. Not exclusively from Carolina. Not a desert plant. Other than that, the Carolina Desert-Chicory (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus), also known as a Texas Dandelion, is one of my favorite flowers.
Due to necessity, we have been exploring many nearby places over and over again. Each trip offers us something new as well as much which has become quite familiar. We are content.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
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A symphony during breakfast is a great way to simultaneously relax and be filled with anticipation at what other treasures Nature will reveal as our quest continues. The musical richness provided by this morning’s performers was simply incredible. Loud and declarative, the White-eyed Vireo kept telling us “I’m a Vireo. I’m a Vireo.”. Clear chirps in sets of two and three notes were from a Northern Cardinal in the soprano section. Supporting the Cardinal was an incessant Tufted Titmouse who announced this performance was all about “Peter, Peter, Peter“. Comic relief came from just off stage where a gang of mischievous Brown-headed Nuthatches burst into occasional “rubber-ducky” squeaks. Overhead, the brass section regally sounded the trumpets as a pair of Sandhill Cranes passed by. Rhythm was not necessarily steady but was certainly attention-getting as a big Pileated Woodpecker whacked on a hollow pine branch.
We hope you had a good breakfast and are ready to trek down to the lake. The surface of Lake Godwin is strewn with blooming American White Lilies and bright yellow blooms of Spatterdock. An Anhinga grunts at us disturbing his fishing and flaps away to find another spot. A couple of alligators peek from under the lily pads. Pig Frogs grunt from the shoreline.
As we head back toward the main forest road, a pair of Sherman’s Fox Squirrels chatter at us from a nearby snag. We are always a bit startled at how large these mammals appear compared to their much more common Gray cousins.
Riches abound along The Ridge. Geologically unique, there are species of flora and fauna within this section of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest which are found nowhere else on the planet. The forest serves as a habitat for 33 plants and 36 animals that currently have federal or state status as threatened or endangered. All of this potential treasure to seek and today you are the only other visitors we have encountered.
As we enjoy a particularly profuse growth of blooming Prickly Pear, Gini once again states the obvious. “The flowers, the trees, all these birds and insects, the fresh air, aroma of the pines – all of this – any time we want to enjoy it. We really are blessed, aren’t we?“. Yes, my love. We really are.
Look what y’all found today!
The intricate beauty of an American White Waterlily (Nymphaea odorata) not only attracts human flower-lovers, but also an incredible variety of nectar-seekers. Portions of Lake Godwin were blanketed in white this morning.
Interspersed with the lovely white lilies are delightfully bright yellow round blooms of Spatterdock (Nuphar advena). The six sepals of these flowers form a cup shape and even when in full bloom appear to be only half-opened. A prominent stigma is usually yellow but we found one with a nice orange glow.
Poking through the lily pads, a stem of Smallfruit Beggarticks (Bidens mitis) displays its own yellow blossom.
Large and in charge. This appears to be a young Sherman’s Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger ssp. shermani). As it matures, the mask on its face will become darker.
Endemic to Florida, the Florida Scrub Roseling (Callisia ornata) is related to dayflowers and spiderworts. Typically growing less than 12 inches tall, the pink flowers only bloom for one day. Our timing was good!
More good timing. The petals of Coastal Plain Hawkweed (Hieracium megacephalon) only remain open in the morning. A near Florida endemic, it has been reported in a couple of counties in Georgia.
Although it is common in much of the eastern United States, Maryland or Pale Meadowbeauty (Rhexia mariana) is uncommonly beautiful wherever it may be encountered.
A gorgeous Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) has no problem navigating the spines of a thistle to reach the nectar it seeks.
Endemic to Florida, Scrubland Goldenaster (Chrysopsis subulata) is one of 11 species in its genus in Florida. Six of those are found only in Florida. A unique leaf and flower petal structure, habitat and early bloom time help identify this particular species. Besides all its “uniqueness”, a bunch of them sure look pretty.
Endemic to Florida, a Florida Scrub Jay may be taking this fresh morsel to a young one. Normally, it will devour its prey soon after it catches it. I think this bird was suspicious of our presence and may not have wanted to reveal a nest location.
Endemic to Florida, the Bigflower Pawpaw (Asimina obovata) can grow to over six feet tall. Host plant for the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly, the fruit is supposedly edible. We’ve never been able to beat the animals to it to find out.
Brunch! A White-eyed Vireo came away from the buffet with a fresh Cicada.
Various forms of Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) received that common name for a good reason. Several species of butterfly depend on the plant to host future generations. We found a sub-species called Rolfs’ Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa ssp. rolfsii), which can be identified by its wavy leaf margins and it is usually significantly less bushy than other members of the species. (I’ll try for a better image showing those features next time. Remind me.)
As we prepared to head home at midday, a Northern Parula sang a nice farewell tune. Okay, so the tune was for a nearby lady-love, but we enjoyed it all the same.
The Lake Wales Ridge. Filled with riches waiting to be discovered. Thank you for being there with us. Let’s do it again.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
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Our timing was good.
Driving through the fringe of the city limits in the dark of pre-dawn is sometimes a harrowing experience. Drivers tail-gating, anxious to pass at the first opportunity, or in many cases, making their own (dangerous) opportunity. They either love their jobs so much they just can’t wait to get there, or they overslept again. We suspect the latter.
On this morning, however, we seem to have caught the leading edge of the commuting wave. The streets were not empty, but they were not nerve-wracking to navigate. City lights soon faded in the rearview mirror. It was dark enough that we could not yet make out the fields and pastures we knew from experience were now on either side.
More city lights ahead. The small town was not nearly the same congested experience of our own larger municipality. We turned eastward, crossed the river and left the village as the sky began to lighten.
Pastures were now replaced with citrus groves. After an hour-and-a-half of driving, the sun was just breaking the horizon as we turned onto the access road to our destination. Lake Wales Ridge State Forest.
This particular section of the State Forest is our favorite both because it is the nearest to us and due to the incredible diversity of natural treasure it contains. The 26,000 acre Arbuckle Tract is adjacent to the western shoreline of large Lake Arbuckle and runs along the ancient geological ridge of mid-Florida. Unique flora and fauna abound here.
Sounds of city traffic have been replaced by early summer Cicadas, calling Barred Owls, hammering woodeckers, songbirds belting out spring courting melodies and the wake-up screech of several Limpkins. As the sun begins to dry the drops of dew from leaves and flower petals, insects begin their day of trying to survive. Active insects signal predators its time for them to begin their day of trying to survive. All of the above indicates our day will be filled with adventure!
Come with us and let’s see what we can discover.
A small member of the pea family, Elliott’s Milkpea (Galactia elliottii), appears in several spots at the edge of the forest. It is the only native Florida pea to have white flowers.
The unique foliage and flower of Blackroot (Pterocaulon pycnostachyum) make this a very intersting plant. Several species of butterfly and other pollinators agree.
Characteristically perched horizontally atop a bare twig, the Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) is hoping for an early breakfast treat to appear. We hope it finds plenty of mosquitoes this morning.
As happens when exploring, we found a new flower species as we were heading to photograph something else we had spotted. We’ve been looking for these lovely spiraling orchids for quite some time. Today was the day for finding Grass-leaved Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes praecox)!
Thistles attract quite a variety of pollinators. Here, a Palamedes Swallowtail (Pterourus palamedes) enjoys the nectar the spiny plant offers.
One of the most prevalent bird calls we heard all morning long was the song of the White-eyed Vireo. They are quick to investigate trespassers in their forest and loudly announced our presence to all within earshot.
We like the symmetry of the tall (36+ inches) Pinebarren Aster (Oclemena reticulata). Although most of the blooms were past their prime, they still made an attractive display among the palmetto and pine tree setting.
They may be small, but it would be difficult to overlook the very bright blue flowers of the Whitemouth Dayflower (Commelina erecta). We were happy to find them sprinkled liberally along our route.
We love the simple beauty of Rose-rush (Lygodesmia aphylla). A tall (2-3 feet) stem usually only produces one flower at a time. The plant we found as a couple of buds waiting their turn. This species is nearly endemic to Florida, having been reported in only two counties in Georgia.
The prevalent sandy conditions of the Lake Wales Ridge provides a welcome environment for plenty of Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.). Outstanding flowers could almost tempt one to pick a few for the dining room table. Almost – then you notice why it’s called “prickly”.
“Heeeeeere kitty kitty kitty.” The clear whistle and trill from the understory of the pine woods advertised the presence of a Bachman’s Sparrow. This fairly nondescript bird builds a cup-shaped nest on the ground in this type of habitat. The female will often weave a bit of grass to form a dome overhead. We were fortunate to have one pose as they are normally one of those “heard but not seen” species.
I like this scraggly plant. Grassleaf Lettuce (Lactuca graminifolia) often appears to be “dead” but then you find a few of the lovely lavender blooms on a branch. The billowy seed heads remind one of Dandelions.
Time for breakfast. Hope you brought something good. Next up: More Ridge Riches.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Additional Information
https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Lake-Wales-Ridge-State-Forest
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We continued our slow, stop-and-go travel along the old logging road. It seems we were behaving like the insects who land on a flower, enjoy it, flit away to another bloom and continue on their merry way in the same fashion. Our progress through the forest was slow. But ever-so-enjoyable.
Birds continued their singing beyond our visual range. We anticipate seeing youngsters learning to fly and hunt on our next visit. For now, hearing the music is enough.
Once again, the accidental success of observation has been fascinating. I see a bit of color. Closer inspection reveals a flower and I attempt to record its image. Lowering the camera, another bit of color, within inches of that first bit of color, catches my eye and another photograph is called for. Kneeling down to inspect the second flower more closely brings my eyes to a different perspective and – imagine that – yet another flower a few feet away. Kid. Candy store.
Speaking of keen observation. Gini pointed: “The thistle stems are moving.” Almost. A half-dozen leaf-footed bugs are moving up and down the spiny stems as they go about their daily search for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Speaking of which, my nature-loving Love asks if we can stop at the BBQ place on the way home. Now, if we can just get to the main road without too many more stops to look for – “Look at that group of Coralbean plants!”.
A late lunch will be just fine.
Yellow Milkwort (Polygala rugelii) is fairly abundant in this upland pine forest habitat. It is endemic to Florida and the bright sunshine color brightens up the landscape. (Note: It seems many species in the Polygala genus have been moved to Senega. Most sources I’ve checked don’t reflect the change, so I’ll stick with the old until I’m threatened with offense against a milkwort.)
More bright color is provided by a very healthy crop of Purple Thistle (Cirsium horridulum). Whether it’s called Bristle, Bull, Horrible, Purple, Spiny or Yellow Thistle, this member of the Aster family is vital to a huge number of creatures.
Gini’s “moving stems” turned out to be busy Eastern Leaf-footed Bugs (Leptoglossus phyllopus).
Bees and butterflies like the beautiful blooms of the Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) almost as much as we do. For a different reason, though.
We’re pretty sure this diminutive flower is Browne’s Savory (Clinopodium brownei). It grows in wet areas and is a member of the Mint family.
A female Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) perched with her wings forward appears ready to dash away in pursuit of, we hope, a nasty little mosquito.
Since we grew up in central Florida and spent a lot of time on lakes fishing, we almost take the ubiquitous Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) for granted. Then we take time to look closely at its structure and colors and fall in love with it all over again.
I suppose some administrative adviser couldn’t figure out which exact species should be Florida’s state wildflower so they just chose the entire Coreopsis genus. The wiry-stemmed Leavenworth’s Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii) is one very lovely representative for the state.
Long nodding racemes packed with tiny white flowers sway in the breeze and invite us to come closer for a better look at the Lizard’s Tail (Saururus cernuus). A pleasant fragrance enhances the invitation. Unfortunately, the plant is usually growing in a very wet place likely filled with snarling snakes waiting for an unsuspecting victim. (Okay, yes, I waded out there and got a picture. No snakes. This time.)
We encountered quite a few patches of Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) this morning. The lavender, tube-shaped blooms attract a large variety of bees and butterflies. Despite their common name, these are not true Petunias (Solanaceae family) but are in the Acanthus family.
Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea). What an interesting plant. From the springtime bright red tubular flowers to the fall brown seed pods filled with scarlet seeds, these plants often grow to over six feet tall. Yet another flower with an adoring audience of nectar lovers.
Velcro. I have no doubt that the person who invented velcro came up with the idea after picking beggar lice (hitch-hikers) from their socks after a day in the field. Who knew the pesky little things had such a pretty flower? Panicled Ticktrefoil (Desmodium paniculatum), one of 22 species of that genus within Florida, can be forgiven its hitchiking seeds as long as it keeps displaying a bloom such as this.
In the unlikely event we had forgotten, a courting pair of small Phaon Crescents (Phyciodes phaon) reminded us – it’s Spring!
Any time we are able to be outside exploring Nature is a good thing. There is something quite special about Spring, though. A reawakening of the land, rekindling optimism about our lives, reaffirming relationships. For us, Spring is also a very special time to be – Among Flowers.
Enjoy your search for a special place and come back for a visit!
Our Natural Places 