White-tailed deer are an integral part of Myakka’s ecosystems. But by the 1930s, unregulated hunting practically eliminated deer from Sarasota County. In fact, when Myakka River State Park was established in 1941, to protect the Myakka River valley from development, many species of wildlife, including deer, had been hunted to near extinction. To restore deer, […]
Tag: myakka river state park
Black-necked Stilt
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) seen in early November at Myakka River State Park, Florida Myakkka River State Park Lots to see on The Great Florida Birding Trail Yes, they are Long -billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus scolopaceus).
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Florida’s iconic wading bird.
Striking, beautiful, bizarre, fascinating – all are adjectives used to describe Florida’s iconic Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja). The pink color of it’s feathers is diet-derived, from carotinoid pigments. Spoonbills wade through the shallows, swishing their spoon shaped bills from side to side…feeding on crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, newts and small fish. Hunted almost to extinction […]
Gators and cavorting Stilts on a lazy Myakka River afternoon
If you want to see “Gators” in Florida, then visit Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. Albeit common everywhere in the Sunshine State, they are always intriguing and photogenic.Myakka River State Park website Hunted almost to extinction, the American Alligator (Alligator mississippienensis), has made an incredible recovery. Perhaps this is a good lesson for Conservation […]