Manatee are those teddy bears of the sea. Rotund, gentle sea-cows that everyone loves to be around — an unfortunate thing, for the manatees. We’ve written about the plight of Florida’s manatees in the past — images from photographer Rebecca Jackrel show the beauty of the creatures as well as the dangers they face in […]
Tag: florida
POLL: Should the permits for the Florida bull run be stopped?
The Sunshine State is considering a new way to make headlines that are even more embarrassing than harassing children with lemonade stands. An event in Dade City, would actually allow people to pretend they’re in Spain running with bulls. Rob Dickens is the C.O.O. and organizer of The Great Bull Run, LLC, a Boston-based company. […]
Swallow-tailed Kites in Dade City, FL
This morning I drove out to Dade City to look for Mississippi Kites that were seen there yesterday. I got there around 8:30 am, and by around 9:30 am, the area was swarming with at least 40 Swallow-tailed Kites. Then off in the distance, I saw my first Mississippi Kite. It was very far away; […]
Markham Woods Tract of Wekiwa Springs SP, 5/15/2013
This morning I decided to try a new place. There’s a tract of the Wekiwa Springs State Park that is in Seminole County. It’s a very pretty park, and shortly after arriving, I heard a Summer Tanager greeting me to the park. I never did see it; it was pretty far off the trail. But […]
Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice)
Female Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice). Year round resident of peninsula Florida. This one seen in a grassy area, near a fresh water pond and marsh and also near a mangrove forest. Small and easily missed at 1.3 inches. Here’s a nice piece about their behavior from the “Northeast Naturalist,” and my friends at Eagle Hill […]
Giant snails on advance in Florida
South Florida is battling a growing infestation of the giant African land snail. The snail is considered one of the most destructive invasive species, feeding voraciously on more than 500 plant species. They can also eat through plaster walls, which provides the calcium content they need for their shells. Experts recently gathered at a science […]
Spiney Orb Weaver Spider
Spiney Orb Weaver Spider (Gasteracantha canciformis). Found here in Florida most often around citrus trees….both in groves and suburban yards. Known locally as the “crab spider”due to their crablike carapace, they belong to the family of orb weavers, Arneidae, and are quite harmless. The Spiney Orb Weaver spins a large and strong web (like the […]
Mangrove Skipper, Phocides pigmalion.
The Mangrove Skipper (Phocides pigmalion) is a member of the Spread Wing Skippers of the Hesperidae family of butterflies. Found in the Mangrove forests of Florida, this large (48-70mm wingspan) skipper is a strong flyer and is often seen perching upside down with spread wings. The iridescent blue markings are beautiful and, along with it’s […]