Author Archives: makielb

This preserve was supposed to have lots of interesting plants – and it didn’t disappoint us. Plant diversity would peak in the boggy areas, with some great surprises. Initially we were on a board walk looking down on a tremendous number of pitcher plants, sundews and bladderworts. The white-topped pitcher plant was an amazing tallContinue reading “A day full of interesting plants before heading off to Alabama”

Our day started heading to Torreya State Park in search of a rare tree. But I thought that we should stop at a rest area on I-10 just in case a few moths came to the lights before (or after) last nights thunderstorms. Well, starting with this Giant Leopard Moth was a good sign. AContinue reading “Moths and plants in Florida’s panhandle”

Our day started our photographing roadside plants like this atamasco lily. Then got better. At the Ecopassage Boardwalk on the south side of Gainesville we had eight Snail Kites. Unfortunately none we perched close enough for a photo, but several flew close enough for a decent shot. The next “good bird” I should have hadContinue reading “Two photos and a miss”

Our day started at Fort Island Gulf Beach. Finally, a lot of Black Skimmers. Susan wandered down the boardwalk and found a Great Horned Owl. A female Boat-tailed Grackle. Then we went over to Goethe National Forest where we spent the rest of the morning. This Swollen bladderwort was abundant. Carolina Satyrs were the mostContinue reading “Levy County, Florida”

Here’s where Susan and I started our day with our friend Tom. We were searching for Bachman’s Sparrows and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. We soon found ourselves in Middle Earth. Where one of the residents was… Cousin Itt! OK, it was just a young long-leaf pine. But this is the habitat where we found the birds thatContinue reading “A “B” day in Florida”

Not quite true, but in the past we put a lot of planning into taking a photo. Some day, Milly and Oscar will be my IT assistants. Nope, I’m keeping my locked away. I envision a trap door opening and the hunter being culled. Somehow, I envision having the same response. Been around long enoughContinue reading “Rainy day Monday humor”

Our day started with us searching for Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, which we did not find, and settling for a delightful puffer fish. Carolina Saddlebags were our most numerous dragonflies today. The Little Yellow was one of many butterflies that we found today. Finding a perched Barred Owl next to the road that we were on wasContinue reading “A day full of predators”

We spent the day at Orlando Wetlands with Roger, Dawn, Don and others. W=hile we have been here before, it was our first time on the new boardwalk. A day can be bad when it starts off with Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. Having a Purple Gallinule at your feet is always a treat. With the newContinue reading “Orlando Wetlands”

Our first morning with Roger and Dawn started with seeing Painted Buntings. Both the male and female were quite cooperative. Susan, Roger and Dawn bunting watching. Two spider species in the genus Leucauge. L. argerobapta on the left and L. venusta on the right. Trichonephila clavipes, a large orb-weaver that had many insects trapped inContinue reading “A day with birds, spiders and more”

Our day started with excellent looks at most of the large waders, including this stork. I was pleased with how many good looks we had of Belted Kingfishers. I can never get enough of Roseate Spoonbills. A great variety of insects were on thistle flowers. Here’s a skipper that I am still working on idnetifying.Continue reading “A fun day in Florida”