Indian River lagoon
—- From Sea to Shining Sea… —-
One of the best advantages of living in Florida is that, if we travel far enough in either a Westerly or Easterly direction, we will find…water! And, one really cool thing about that is when the water seems to glow, as if by magic.
On a summer evening in the Indian River Lagoon, a natural magic illuminates the wake of a boat, the splash from a paddle, or creates beautiful blue flashes of frenzied schools of mullet. If you run your fingers through the water, you can see it fall in gorgeous blue-green luminescent droplets… What is causing the lagoon to glow? Bioluminescence! Tiny dinoflagellates (Pyrodinium bahamense) – or bioluminescent plankton – create light through biochemical reactions. When excited or stimulated, these plankton become little flashlights in the water, much like fireflies do on land.
This evening, the plankton are lighting our way, as we kayak along the Indian River and into the lagoon. Originally named the “Rio de Ais,” after the Ais tribe of Native Americans who made their home along the East coast of Florida, the lagoon is, in actuality, a grouping of five lagoons, which comprise the most biodiverse lagoon ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere, with over 10,000 species of plants and animals – thirty-five of these threatened or endangered. The lagoon is rife with game fish, such as tarpon or snook, which grow to epic sizes because there are very few predators in the lagoon. It is also host to all three types of mangroves, which provide filtration and nutrition to the ecosystem. We are told by our guide that, due to development, the mangrove population has been reduced by 85%. In addition, the water level in the system is rising due to increased runoff from the city. And there is also the danger from algae blooms, which form as a result of deforestation, pollution and high temperatures. Surely, these things are serious indications of danger to our natural ecosystems. However, they do not detract from the magic we are witnessing this evening; the beautiful blue glow serving as a reminder of the uniqueness and intricacy of this environment, one we must cherish and protect.
If You Go…
If you are looking for an educational, but interesting and fun adventure to share with family or friends, consider taking a bioluminescence tour! BK Adventure offers environmentally-friendly guided eco-tours. For more information, they can be reached at: info@bkadventure.com | 
www.bkadventure.com | (407) 519-8711
To help ensure an enjoyable experience, we suggest wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed shoes, and taking along some mosquito repellent, as well as a change of clothes, as you will likely get wet – but, that’s part of the fun!
Submitted by IOF Advisor Arlene Cuellar
*Bioluminescence photos courtesy of BK Adventure*
John B. Sargeant Conservation Park
John B. Sargeant Conservation Park
Named after a member of the Hillsborough River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, John B. Sargeant Conservation Park is located in Thonotosassa.
Meander through a wetland forest on the quarter-mile boardwalk. Stop by the overlook to see the Flint Creek meet the Hillsborough River. Enjoy the flowing river from the rest area at the end of the boardwalk. For more adventurous hikers, the 6.7-mile Old King Trail winds from the trailhead at John B. Sargeant Park to the Model Dairy trailhead at Hillsborough River State Park.
Launch your boat at the John B. Sargeant boat ramp. Immerse yourself in the river life as you paddle the Hillsborough River. The Hillsborough River State Canoe Trail will take you on a journey through hardwood trees where lilies bloom and birds sing. Seventeen Runs offers the opportunity to explore a hardwood swamp, its unique plants, and the wildlife who thrive there.
Be prepared to get some wonderful photographs since John B. Sargeant Conservation Park is on the western section of Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Picnic tables, covered pavilions, and restrooms are provided for your convenience. Bring your dog. Just be sure she/he is on a six-foot leash.
For more information: https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreat…/john-b-sargeant-park
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Forked Bluecurls
Forked Bluecurls, Trichostema dichotomum, are native to Florida and a member of the mint family. Bees and other pollinators are attracted to their aromatic blue-violet flowers. They are often found in thickets and dry pinelands. Look for blooms in August and September.
Because they propagate easily from seeds, Forked Bluecurls will thrive in your wildflower garden and may need to be controlled to leave room for other wildflowers.
Paper Wasp
Wasps get a bad rap. They sting, and they not as glamorous as a bee that makes honey.
Wasps matter a lot because they play an important role in a healthy environment. Paper Wasps (Polistes dominulus), also known as Umbrella Wasps, are predatory and are at the top of the invertebrate food chain. Along with other wasps, Paper Wasps protect lower invertebrate species and plants. They work as generalist pollinators, like bees, to move pollen from one plant to another.
Paper wasps are social and will create a nest each year. The queen will emerge from the ground where she spends the winter and will build a nest using chewed wood pulp. The first generation of wasps she produces consists of worker wasps who feed on nectar. She will then concentrate on laying more eggs. The worker wasps feed the larva masticated caterpillars, flies, and other residential and agricultural pests. Vegetable gardeners love these flying predator Paper Wasps since they provide free and natural pest control. Like a bee or spider, the sting can be life-threatening to those who are allergic. However, Paper Wasps usually do not attack unless they are provoked or feel threatened. Unlike the honey bee, the Paper Wasp’s stingers are smooth and can sting more than once. Running and quick movements can be mistaken as an attack on the wasp. When you encounter a Paper Wasp, raise your hands slowly to protect your face, and walk away slowly.
According to Seirian Sumner, a senior lecturer in Behavioral Biology at the University of Bristol, ‘They may be a nuisance on a sunny day – but a world without wasps would be an ecological and economic disaster.’
Photo Credit: Dan Kon
Crandon Park – Key Biscayne
Located on the barrier island of Key Biscayne, Crandon Park is a hidden gem just waiting to be explored. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, Crandon Park was acquired by Miami-Dade County from the heirs of Commodore William John Matheson in 1940. The gift came with the stipulation that the land must be used as a public park, and in 1947, Crandon Park was ready to receive its first guests.
Crandon Park is a nature lover’s paradise. Its unique fossilized mangrove reef, two and a half miles of state historic highway, protected wetlands, estuaries, coastal hammocks, Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trails, and spectacular shoreline provide countless opportunities to be engulfed in nature.
The earliest known inhabitants of Crandon Park were the Tequesta Indians. Hurricane Andrew exposed three archaeological sites, one of which appears to indicate the sites of poles used by the Tequesta as supports needed for their thatched homes. In 1513, Juan Ponce de León included Key Biscayne in his chart of The New World.
Commodore William John Matheson purchased 1700 acres of land in Key Biscayne in 1908, which later became Crandon Park. He used the land to build a coconut plantation and introduced the Malay Dwarf coconut, now the most common coconut in Florida. In 1948, the Zoological Gardens were established on the southern 53 acres of Crandon Park. By 1967, Crandon Park was renowned worldwide for the first successful birth of an Aardvark. The Park also successfully watched over the birth of two Indian elephants and, in 1973, the hatching of two Southern Bald Eagles.
Today, Crandon Park is a Nature Lover’s delight. Wildlife freely roams in and out of the doorless zoo structures. Saunter on one of the nature trails and visit the Nature Center. Look for shorebirds, songbirds, hawks, butterflies, wild plants, coontie, and beach peanut. Bike through the Key Biscayne Archaeological Zone on a designated path. Immerse yourself in an EcoAdventure where you can bike, hike, or learn about Sea Turtles.
Soak up the sun at the two-mile beach, bring your snorkel, and explore the underwater living world. Launch your boat, kayak, paddleboard, wakeboard, or kiteboard. The internationally known Crandon Marina offers a dive boat operation. Enjoy a round of golf or a game of tennis. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in a Pavillion, eat at one of the restaurants or concession areas, or rent a cabana for a family get-together. A boardwalk to the fossilized reef and wheelchair beach accessibility is provided.
For more information: http://www.miamidade.gov/parks/crandon.asp
Photo Credit: Ileana Rodriguez-Ramirez
Flamingo (American)
American Flamingo
The American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) stands 3-5 feet tall with a wingspan of up to 50 inches. The bright pink color comes from a diet of snails, crustaceans, crabs, and algae. Without this specific diet, they would turn gray.
The most unusual thing about Flamingos is their tongues. The tongue is encased in the lower jaw and does not move. It squeezes mud through structures in the bill called lamellae. Lamellae act as a strainer to extract insects, brine shrimp, algae, and other small prey.
There has been some debate on whether or not Flamingos are native to Florida. If they are spotted, they are usually considered escapees from captive flocks. During the 1800s, flamingos were considered native to Florida. John James Audubon came explicitly to see Flamingos on his 1830 visit to Florida. By the 1900s, Flamingos had almost completely vanished. They were hunted for food, skin, and feathers.
Flamingos are wading birds and can be found around a water source. They have very long, thin necks and legs. Their heads are small, and their bills are large, heavy, and have a crook. Young flamingos have straight bills, but the crook develops as they age.
The Flamingo stands on one leg to conserve heat as their legs have no feathers. Conserving heat is also why they bury their heads in their feathers. It also makes it easier to stand on one leg and reach down into the water with their bills to catch prey.
American Flamingos are monogamous. The flock will mate simultaneously so the eggs will hatch collectively. The flock protects the young from predators. The mated pair will make a mound of mud, and the female will lay one egg, which is between 3 to 3 1/2 inches long. It hatches in 27 to 31 days. Hatchlings are born white and turn pink within two years. Both parents produce a crop of milk in their upper digestive tract, which they feed to the young until they begin to eat solid food.
Florida has removed Flamingos from the non-native list. Hopefully, flamingos will regain their native species’ status and become subject to federal and state protections.
Conservation efforts to protect Flamingos will be necessary to ensure these birds continue to survive even as they face increasing threats from habitat loss, pollution, and invasive predators. This historical population is in the very beginnings of a recovery. When we work together, we will ensure American Flamingos will not become extinct.
Photo Credit: Paul Waller Natureboy Photography and Lynn Marie
Florida National Scenic Trail
The Florida National Scenic Trail is a congressionally designated National Scenic Trail. The USDA Forest Service is the administrator of the Florida Trail, charged with planning routes, overseeing the development, and establishing partnerships to complete the trail. The trail is approximately 1,500-miles long and is intended to offer a continuous, permanent non-motorized recreation opportunity for hiking and other compatible activities. Over its length, it showcases the incredible biodiversity, history, and rich culture of Florida. Its termini lie in Gulf Islands National Seashore to the North and Big Cypress National Preserve in the South.” ~ Florida Trail Association
Images of Florida Trail in Oviedo courtesy of IOF contributor Jonathan Holmes
Find a Florida National Scenic Trail near you: https://www.floridatrail.org/florida-national-scenic-tra…/…/
Twoleaf Nightshade
The FLEPPC, (Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council), considers Twoleaf Nightshade to be a category II invasive exotic plant. FLEPPC defines Category II invasive exotics as those that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities. It is recommended that you remove Twoleaf Nightshade when you discover it in your yard.
Twoleaf Nightshade, (Solanum diphyllum), attracts bees, butterflies, and birds. It is an upright shrub that grows 3-6′ tall and has alternating leaves with one larger than the other on mature plants. White to lavender fragrant flowers produce fruit that is orange when ripe.
Native to Mexico and Central America, the Twoleaf Nightshade is an exotic that relies on birds to play an important role in seed dispersal. These shrubs can be found in disturbed areas, flood plains, roadsides, hardwood forests, hammocks, and a shady spot in your yard.
Ocala National Forest
There are plenty of wild spaces to explore in the 387,000 acres that make up Ocala National Forest. More than 600 lakes, springs, and rivers make it a water lover’s paradise. As the southernmost forest in the continental United States, it is home to the world’s largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest.
Middens left behind by the earliest inhabitants of the Ocala National Forest are proof of the Timucuan making their homes in the forest. From 1890 – 1920, timber and turpentine from the Ocala forest supported the local communities. However, the land was not managed well, and deforestation, overburning, and other practices led to the demise of the industry and loss of property values.
President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the Ocala Forest the first National Forest east of the Mississippi in 1908. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps was created as part of the New Deal. People happy to return to work constructed a dining hall, campgrounds, a mill, cabins, swimming areas, and monuments. These structures still exist today.
When the sea retreated 25 million years ago, it left behind Big Scrub. The plants and animals who live in the sand pine scrub depend on fire to thrive. Look for gopher tortoises and scrub jays. Backpackers will enjoy the 72-mile section of the Florida Trail, complete with designated campsites along the way. There are multiple shorter trails throughout the forest and equestrian trails. Watch for wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, alligators, and bald eagles. Many iconic Florida Black Bears live in the Ocala National Forest, along with threatened Eastern Indigo Snakes and endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.
Cool off when you dip in one of the four springs with a year-round temperature of 72*. Bring your snorkel to see what lies beneath the water. For a closer look, dive into one of three magnitude springs. Explore the wilderness by kayaking or canoeing through a waterway. Hike or bike through the scrub and discover the wildlife who make their homes there. Spend a night, a day, or a week when you camp at a primitive or developed campsite, in your RV, or in one of the cabins.
Plan your trip to the Ocala National Forest. For more information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ocala/home
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain, Dan Kon
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) are the most common hummingbirds found in Florida. Black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds occasionally visit Florida in the winter. You can observe Ruby-throated hummingbirds at the edges of woods and in city parks. They are common in flower gardens where they seek out their favorite tubular flowers. With their long bills and tongues, hummingbirds are equipped to reach the delicious nectar that lies deep within the flower.
Females produce 1-2 broods each year. After the male courtship, the female builds a nest surrounded by a leafy cover. Be sure to look for these tiny nests before trimming your shrubs. The incubation of two eggs takes 11-16 days. The busy mother hummingbird may begin to build a second nest while continuing to feed her young ones in the first nest. The babies take flight at 20-22 days old.
Take a few minutes to watch a Ruby-throated Hummingbird sip nectar from a flower in your garden. Their tiny wings beat more than 50 times per second as they hover while feeding. Can you spot a hummingbird snatching a tiny insect from the air or a leaf for dessert?
Source: Audubon, UF
Photo credit: Andy Waldo
Scarlet Rosemallow
Scarlet Rosemallow, Hibiscus coccineus, is native to Florida and can be found in swamps and wetlands along lakes and streams. Also known as Marsh Hibiscus, the scarlet flowers on this water-loving shrub appear in late spring and summer and only last for a day. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the beautiful crimson wildflowers.
Bonus: Scarlet Rosemallow can be grown in your home garden in an area that receives plenty of water.
Fred Howard Park
Fred Howard Park
There are 155 acres on the Gulf of Mexico in Tarpon Springs where you can revel in the beauty of white sandy beaches and breathtaking sunsets. Named for the former Mayor of Tarpon Springs, who set aside the property for the enjoyment of residents in 1966, Fred Howard Park delights nearly 2 million residents and visitors every year!
Explore pine flatwoods, sandhills, wetlands, mangrove estuaries, seagrass beds, and coastal scrub. Discover the wildlife who make their homes there. Watch for eagles, osprey, butterflies, gopher tortoises, fox squirrels, manatees, and dolphins.
Stop along the mile-long causeway to sunbathe, then cool off with a quick dip in the Gulf. Paddle your kayak or canoe in the Gulf or experience the thrill of windsurfing. Bring your lunch to enjoy in one of 9 picnic shelters and be sure to stop by the playground for a nostalgic ride on the swings.
For more information and a map of the park click here:
https://pinellas.gov/parks/fred-howard-park/
Photo Credit: Marc Goldberg
Eastern Cottontail
The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is best known for the white puffy fur on its tail’s underside. Cottontails grow to 14 – 17 inches in length and weigh two to four pounds. Their cotton-like tail is most noticeable when they hop.
Cottontails can be found in woodlands, fields, briar patches, bushy areas, and yards. They are herbivores often seen dining on clover, grasses, and other green vegetation. When greens are not available, Cottontails will seek out young woody shoots and bark. You will often see these solitary rabbits in the early morning or evening.
Breeding can occur any time during the year but happens most often in February through September. In about a month, the mother cottontail will give birth to a litter of 4 – 7 rabbit kittens. Female Cottontails can produce 3-4 litters each year.
Cottontails will stand on their hind feet to look for predators such as hawks, foxes, coyotes, or weasels. When one is spotted, these speedy rabbits can run up to 15 miles an hour and hop distances of up to 15 feet in a single leap.
Dark Flower Scarab Beetle
Dark Flower Scarab Beetles (Euphoria sepulcralis) have white markings on a black or dark brown body that reflects a metallic bronze or green color in the sunlight. They are daytime flyers and can often be found snacking on flowers in yards throughout Florida.
“The adults feed on tree sap, a wide variety of ripening fruits, corn, and the flowers of apple, thistle, mock orange, milkweed, dogwood, sumac, yarrow, daisies, and goldenrod.” Ratcliffe (1991). Occasionally, these common beetles are considered pests because they love to munch on the flowers of fruit trees, roses, and corn.
Dark Flower Scarab Beetles make tasty dinners for a variety of animals. Grubs, which hatch underground from eggs, are eaten by birds, moles, and skunks. Other animals such as frogs, bats, and birds eat adult beetles.
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Hillsborough River State Park
Hillsborough River State Park
Nature and history abound at Hillsborough River State Park located just outside of Tampa. Explore one of the 7.3 miles of trails, learn about the Seminole Indian Wars at Fort Foster, and find peace along the waters of the Hillsborough River.
Fort Foster was originally built in 1836 to defend the bridge which crossed the Hillsborough River on Fort King Military road. It served as a place to resupply soldiers during the Second Seminole War. In 1936, Civilian Conservation Corps realized the historic significance of Fort Foster and the allure of the Class II rapids located nearby.
The Corps opened Hillsborough River State Park to the public in 1938. Today, visitors are invited to explore within the reconstructed walls of Fort Foster complete with blockhouse stairs and cannons. Plan your trip in January to see reenactments at the Fort Foster Rendezvous or in December at the Candlelight Experience.
Hillsborough River State Park is designated a Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. There are 4 trails within the park that wind through pine flatwoods, a floodplain swamp, a hardwood and hydric hammock, and a cypress swamp.
Hike or bike along the 1.6-mile Wetlands Trail through cypress domes and Flatwoods where you may encounter bobcats, hawks, and a variety of rare plants. Saunter down the Rapids Trail to the swift, flowing Class II rapids on the Hillsborough River.
Paddle a kayak or canoe down the Hillsborough River or for the more adventurous, down the rapids. Cool off in the ADA accessible swimming pool.
Primitive campsites and 112 campsites for tents or RVs are located in the park. Playgrounds and picnic areas are waiting for you to enjoy. Pavilions are available to rent for reunions and other special events. A poolside cafe, camp store, and bike and canoe rental are located in the park for your convenience. Pets are welcome and must be on a 6′ leash.
For more information click here: https://www.floridastateparks.org/…/hillsborough-river-stat…
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Rock Springs Run State Reserve
Rock Springs Run State Reserve
Plan a trip to Rock Springs Run State Reserve in Sorrento. Explore the 14,000-acre reserve and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of swamps, bay heads, oak hammocks, pine Flatwoods, and sand pine scrub. Stop by the spring/run river system which runs along the perimeter of the park. Look for the many varieties of wildflowers in bloom, red-shouldered hawks, sandhill cranes, indigo snakes, gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jay, and bear tracks. Visit in the fall and you may see a black bear testing on the reserve’s acorn harvest.
Rock Springs Run State Reserve boasts 14 miles of hiking trails for hikers. For cyclists, there are 15 miles of multi-use trails. Equestrians appreciate the nine miles of trails for horse riding. Rock Springs Run Trail Rides offers guided horseback riding.
There are 2 primitive campsites accessible by kayak or canoe and Equestrian primitive campsites. The reserve has spots for RVs. The Hammock House, a log cabin with 4 bedrooms is located on the Wekiva River. Bring your family and enjoy a night on the deck and paddle the 2 provided canoes up the Wekiva River. Your pets are welcome by must be on a 6 ft leash.
For more information, fees, reservations, and more click here: https://www.floridastateparks.org/…/rock-springs-run-state-…
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo
Spiderwort
Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis, is a native Florida wildflower. It grows in wetlands, disturbed areas, and is commonly found in Florida yards.
Spiderwort, a clumping perennial, appears in the spring and flowers and produces seeds through mid-summer. Blue, purple or white flowers grow in clusters on stems with grass-like leaves. The flowers only last until mid-day.
Spiderwort attracts pollinators and is recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of native bees.
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