Somehow, the above image of two Christmas lichens merging into one seemed an appropriate find for Valentine’s Day.
We spent the morning on a trail at Spruce Creek Preserve. The trails were easy walking, although sometimes muddy. But we managed to get in a nice walk.
One of the little canals that drains to Spruce Creek.
Here’s Spruce Creek.
Tilandsia recurvata, ball moss is an attractive epiphytic plant related to Spanish moss.
The “pretty” berries are from Brazilian pepper, a weedy invasive species that has taken over every trail that we have hiked. Animals like the fruits and distribute the seeds.
Here is a close-up of the fruits and one of the Cedar Waxwings that was feasting on them, along with a large flock of robins and some Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Walking along a boardwalk we saw this rather boring plant. In reality it was the fertile frond of Giant leather fern. This fern 6-7 feet in height.
We ended our walk here with a Tiger cranefly.
More tomorrow as we pack and leave the New Smyrna Beach area heading off to Dunnellon.
Until then…
Michael's Place 