I’ve been really fortunate to have captured several bee swarms lately. Swarming is normal bee behavior, and if the bees can be collected they can be moved into a hive box and used to expand a beekeeper’s bee yard. Here’s a two-minute video of my latest capture, a super-easy job because the bees had thoughtfully […]
In 2019, Steve and I had a glorious plan for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner Picnic. We were going to start the day with a hike at Crystal River Preserve and follow that with our picnic at Crystal River Archeological State Park. But then there was that pesky triple bypass and our Thanksgiving plans changed to […]
Kayaks, paddles, and safety gear? Check Paddling companions? Check 24-7 Boat Ramp at Kiwanis Island? Check New moon? Close enough Every summer, Steve and I look forward to introducing new people to the wonders of bioluminescent waters. We usually go to the the waters of Sykes Creek or 1000 Islands, both in Brevard County and […]
Springheads are beautiful places that appear almost timeless. I am always awed by the thought of an apparently infinite supply of living water pouring forth from the earth. . .but even when the spring is emerging from a rocky cave, the immediate area is a fragile ecosystem. When faced with a beautiful pool of icy […]
What a lovely hike Buck Island Pond Trail offers. We are just beginning to learn about State Forests, and Goethe State Forest is a spot we definitely want to explore. On our first visit, we went to a trail recommended by my friend Sharol because she was able to find a small stand of pitcher […]
Another of the Lake County Water Authority preserves, Sawgrass Island is not far away but feels remote. Steve and I recently hiked the North Loop Trail and enjoyed a pleasant hour or so on a mostly shaded trail through an upland forest of mostly slash pine with some oaks for variety. The North Loop is […]
Sabal Bluff Preserve is a nice surprise, tucked in between two communities of manufactured homes and with a lovely trail along Lake Griffin. A property of the Lake County Water Authority, the 55-acre preserve is located at 2582 Lakeside Dr, Leesburg, FL 34788-8260. A series of trails create short loops and ensure that you can […]
When you’re in remote and wild areas, the right equipment can be the difference between a day of jubilant discovery and miserable slogging with wet feet and welts from biting insects. I was exposed to two new pieces of gear on this trip and I want to quickly mention them. Neither is necessary on every […]
On a recent trip to the Apalachicola National Forest, my friend Sharol and I were determined to find blooming pitcher plants. These carnivorous beauties are part of what make the panhandle region of our state special, and the 2020 spring bloom did not disappoint! The pitcher plants are the showiest of the carnivorous plants, and […]
Our friends, Kathy and Kim, invited us kayaking on the Suwannee River. We stopped for lunch on a sandy bank, and after a bit of exploring found this spring. Spend a minute or two listening to the water flowing…aaah. You’re welcome.
On my recent trip to visit pitcher plants in the Apalachicola State Forest, I took a side trip into Tate’s Hell State Forest to visit Cash Creek and the Kendrick Boardwalk. The Kendrick Boardwalk overlooks a bowl-shaped depression where, for some unknown reason, the cypress trees do not exceed 20′ in height. These bald cypress […]
This year’s Bioblitz, an annual citizen science project where participants record their wildlife sightings in the iNaturalist app for cataloging by Conservation Florida, has been moved from Rock Springs Run State Reserve to your very own backyard! If you’d like to take part, just download the iNaturalist app to your smartphone. This app allows you […]
I recently mentioned on Facebook that I was in the Seminole State Forest, and a friend responded that they thought State Parks were closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions. She was absolutely correct: State Parks are closed — BUT the State Forest is still open. It got me thinking, what is the difference between State […]
These are not pleasant times for a Florida adventurer. COVID-19, a novel coronavirus, has necessitated the closure of all Florida State Parks, many activity areas within our National Forests, and even some local county and city parks. While I understand the need for social distancing, I do believe it is important to get out of […]
