Friday, October 01, 2004, Lakeland Highlands Scrub
Another hurricane is now gone. We were in the eye again and it was fierce. Lakeland took a drubbing from Jeanne. Drove by Circle B Bar today. It is still closed. The high water is very evident. Probably could not get around in there. I did walk the Lakeland Highlands Scrub. The short trail was dry with just a few trees blocking it. It was easy to get around them. The main trail had trees blocking the first part. At the first fork, a tree blocked the right hand trail. I walked to the railroad trail. It was dryer than it was on Sep 03. Walked about half way down it. I wadded the water from the railroad trail to the pond. It was too wet to continue around the pond. The osprey nest that had been south of the pond is gone. It had been an active nest. I watched some cardinals, bluejays and a scrub jay. I was able to photograph a flycatcher. I returned to the first fork and got around the fallen tree. The trail was very wet. I walked a short distance and it got wetter. I returned to the entrance and sat at the table watching the butterflys and lizzards a while. A suprise was that with all the water present, there were very few mosquitos. I did had to battle a small biting fly. The scrub should be the first of the 3 Lakeland Environmental Lands Sites to dry out. It was warm this morn, but it felt good. About 90 with a cool breeze. ............................. Herman

Sunday, October 03, 2004, Lakeland Highlands Scrub
I returned to the Scrub today as I had not gotten to the back section on Friday. I knew that the railroad trail was dry, so I did not take my boots. The hiking shoes are much more comfortable. I got around the first two trees blocking the trail and walked toward the pond. Once you get to the railroad trail, there is very little shade and it was a very sunny day. Took photos of several flowers. There were many yellow flowers present. Watched some cardinals at the intersection of the railroad trail and the main trail. The pond was still very wet, but it was dryer than on Friday. Walked the railroad trail and the main back trail. Where the mail trail makes a sharpe turn east toward the pond there was a lot of erosion from running water. I watched a mother raccoon with a small one fishing in a small pond of standing water. Got a few photos. Walked on toward the pond, and spooked a covey of quail. It started to get wet. I took a side trail that goes back to the mail trail near the houses. When I arrived at the main trail I sat in the shade of a small tree. Two Scrub Jays landed in the tree and hopped around for about ten minutes. One got within a foot. I got several photos. It was a warm, sunny day, but not very humid. Had a cool breeze most of the time. The Scrub is drying out fairly fast. .............. Herman

Wednesday, October 06, 2004, Gator Creek
Arrived at about 0915 and surveyed the entry for standing water. The trail looked wet, but passable. A cool breeze was blowing. I was able to get past the fork on the Gator Creek Loop, but was stopped by a large pool of water. I went back to the fork and got about 2/3 rds of the way to the Tourtoise Trail before being stopped by water. I then walked back to the entry. I photographed several spiders and some flowers, but it was quite today. There were numerous trees down and I had to detour around several that were blocking the trail. Hurricane Jeanne did a number on Gator Creek. ............... Herman

Wednesday, October 13, 2004, Lakeland Highlands Scrub
Arrived about 0900 amd started the walk. The trees have been cleared from the trail. I walked to the pond and was able to get to the southeast corner before being blocked by water. I walked the railroad trail to the mail trail and then south on it. I was able to get back to the west side of the pond. Only about 50 feet of the trail at the southeast corner of the pond is blocked by water. I had left my rubber boots at home and the water was about 6 inches deep. My hiking boots can handle about 3 inches of water. I backtracked and took a side trail that I took on Oct 06. I photographed some yellow and some purple flowers, bees, and a few birds. I saw a Scrub Jay, but did not get a photo. It was a bit warm today, sunny and dry. .............. Herman

Saturday, October 16, 2004, Circle B Bar
I arrived at the parking area at 0815 and found that it was open. It was dryer that I had ezpected. I walked to the marsh and found that the trail was difficult to follow after taking the right fork toward the marsh. There were many small birds in the trees. I was able to photo some of them. The marsh trail was still wet and I backtracked to the main trail and continued to the lake. There was just a few wet spots, but they were passable. Flocks of Ibis were near the trail. I arrived at the lake and continued around the marsh. All the trees had been cleared. Hurricane Jeanne had taken out many trees. I met a man whom I found out had helped me to identify some of my bird photos via e-mail. I arrived at the trail across the marsh and it was blocked by a large fallen tree.I spotted a Belted Kingfisher and got a photo from a great distance. This is the first Kingfisher that I have seen at Circle B Bar. There were many small birds along the trail. I saw Pine Warbler's and Eastern Phoebe. Met another walker along the lake. Spotted a hawk as I neared the dock. Also saw and photo'ed several Pilated Woodpeckers. This was a very good day for a walk. It was cool, dry and sunny. ......................... Herman

Monday, October 18, 2004, Circle B Bar
Arrived at the parking area at about 0820 and started getting my stuff together. Watched a hawk fly from the oak trees to the ground several times. At the first clear marsh on the right side of the trail I saw a Belted Kingfisher flying around the edge. The Kingfisher call is very unique. As I was walking there were a lot of small birds in the trees alongside the trail. I unfolded my chair and sat a while. Was able to photo several of the small birds which were gnatcatchers and warblers. If I remained still, they would get very close.I continued on toward the lake, stopping several times to sit and watch. When I arrived at the lake, I looked very closely in the trees on the lake shore and boy, was I suprised. A full grown white tailed eagle was sitting in a tree with its back to me. It must have been napping. I was able to get several photos. I tried to move and get a side shot, but it noticed me and flew. Got a photo on the wing as it went behind a tree. I walked on out to the dock area and then south between the lake and the marsh. Saw a large gator in the lake. Must have been about ten feet. The undergrowth, shore grass and trees have been thinned out by the hurricanes and there is not much cover for the animals. Did not appear to be as many birds as there were Saturday. Met a biker. I had talked with him on Saturday also. After leaving the dock I met a man and woman. It was their first visit to Circle B. I talked with them an bit and told them about Gator Creek and the Highlands Scrub. During the walk back to the truck I photoed a large, red, fuzzy ant on the trail. It was very nice today, warm, but not hot, dry and breezy...... Herman

Friday, October 22, 2004, Circle B Bar
Walked with a friend today. We arrived at about 0830 and started the walk. I was using a Sigma 50-500mm lens on my Nikon D70. Hopefully I can get some larger image sizes with this lens. We walked in and took the right fork to the marsh. The trail is still cluttered and hard to follow. We saw two eagles flying around the west part of the marsh. I got several photos of them flying. The marsh is still wet on the north end and we backtracked to take the north trail. Some county workers were clearing some of the last trees from the horse trail. We sat observing the small birds several times and got some photos. There were some Ibis along the trail. Saw a small green snake which may be a Ribbon snake. It had a yellow stripe on top of its back with a darker stripe on either side of the yellow stripe and dark dots on its sides. The main color was light green. We got to the lake and walked along the lake and the marsh. Photo'ed a Cormorant and some spiders. Also photo'ed a Red-bellied Woodpecker and a Downey Woodpecker and some warblers and gnatcatchers. Saw an Eagle sitting in a tree no too far out in the marsh. It appeared to be feeding on something. The crows were giving it a fit. Got several photos of it and several when it flew. As we neared the turn back to the west, we photoed a Green Heron and a brown lizard. A Belted Kingfisher was spotted in a tree out in the marsh. I saw it dive once. Got a few photos. As we neared the turn back to the north over the marsh, the Kingfisher started circling and flying along the canal on the south side of the trail. I guess that we may have been near it's burrow. We crossed the marsh and were stopped by high water at the north end. Saw a Snapper Turtle on the side of the trail. Probably about 100 feet of impassable trail due to water. We backtracked all the way back out. Got a photo of two very good fishermen. An Enhinga and the Kingfisher in the same tree. On the walk out we saw and photo'ed Enhinga, Coromorant, Small Blue Heron, Ibis, Woodpeckers, Warblers and others. Had a good day. It was cool (low to mid 80-'s) and sunny. Had a good breeze on the lake side. ............................. Herman

Monday, October 25, 2004, Gator Creek
Had an eye doc appt this morn so I was a bit late getting started. Arrived at the parking area about 0940 and started the walk. I had last been here on Oct 06 and the water was high then. The trail was dry today and I was able to get all the way to the pond. Water is still high, but off the trail. Sunny and cool today. Many small birds in the trees, but hard to see due to the foliage. On the walk to the pond, I photo'ed a butterfly, a flower and a spider. On arrival at the pond, I saw a Green Heron and photo'ed it. An eight foot gator was on the bank across the pond. A Wood Stork landed in the top of a tree and I got some photos of it. Also photo'ed some other small birds. Walking back to the parking area, I photo'ed a bug, flowers and small birds.I have a fit sometimes identifying the small birds as many are very similar. A good day for a walk, but I did not get around the north part of the trail. It could still have some water blocking it. ........................ Herman

Wednesday, October 27, 2004, Lakeland Highlands Scrub
Walked with a friend again today. We arrived at the parking area about 0830 and started the walk. Saw a red spider near the start of the trail and photo'ed it on the web. Walked on and tried the north fork of the trail, but it is still a little wet. Backtracked and went to the pond. The southeast corner is still wet. Went back to the railroad trail and walked it. Photoed a Red-bellied Woodpecker in a tree. Saw and photoed a Belted Kingfisher on a tree in the pond. Then saw an Eagle in a pine tree across the pond. While photoing the Eagle, another Eagle landed in the tree. At this stop we observed and photographed two Eagles, a Kingfisher and a Green Heron. Close-by we photoed a yellow flower and a White Peacock Butterfly. Got a second Red-bellied Woodpecker just a short way down the trail. Went all the way to where the trail turns back to the east and walked it. Photoed some flycatchers. Used a cut-through trail to return to the main trail near the northwest end. Sat under a small oak tree and two Scrub Jays landed in the tree. We were able to get many close photos of the Scrub Jay. My friend got a good photo of a buzzard (Black Vulture) flying overhead. My knees were hurting, so we walked out without stopping While we were stowing our gear in the trucks, some buzzards flew overhead and I got several photos of them on the wing. Another very pleasant day for a walk. Just a bit warm, clear and dry. ......... Herman

Friday, October 29, 2004, Circle B Bar
Arrived at about 0830 and started the walk. Walked out to the horse path and then to the marsh. Photo'ed an Eastern Phoebe on the trail. Arrived at the marsh and it was dry enough to cross. Photo'ed Ibis, Egret and Heron from the edge of the marsh. Observed and photo'ed an Eagle flying across the marsh. Looked over my shoulden and saw a juvenile Eagle sitting in a tree about 50 yards away. The sun was nearly directly behind it. Got a couple of photos. It took me nearly 30 minutes to cross the marsh. The marsh trailwas mostly dry, but the north end was a bit slick. Too much to look at today. Walking toward the lake, I saw many birds (Anhinga, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Heron, Egret, Blackbird, Cardinal and others). I photo'ed three of the best fishermen around in a tree ( Anhinga, Cormorant and Kingfisher). After I reached the lake I unfolded my chair and had a rest. While walking through some of the high grass, I was swarmed by green insects. It was like walking through a cloud of them. Walked toward the dock and photoed some warblers and a Green Heron. Also got some good photos of a Cardinal. This was another great day for a walk. Warm, but not hot with a cool breeze. ........... Herman

Sunday, October 31, 2004, Lakeland Highlands Scrub
My daughter was visting this weekend and she walked with me. We arrived about 0830 and started walking. Our first encounter was a red spider on a web across the trail. We walked out to the pond, but it was still too wet to pass. We walked the railroad trail. It was a bit quite today. There were a lot of frogs on the trail near the pond. We continued to the main trail and south to where it turns back toward the pond. We did not see much. About half way back to the railroad trail, two Scrub Jays landed in a tree near us. We stopped and photo'ed them for a while. Then they just flew off. There were a lot of very small toads on the trail. Just before reaching the railroad trail, we saw a bird in a tree top to the west. Could not tell what it was. Got a photo while it was flying and several while it was perched. It appeared to be a hawk. After getting home I was able to ID it as an American Kestrel (my first one). As we arrived at the pond, we saw a Great Egret, a Blue Heron and two buzzards. We arrived at the main trail and I saw a Gopher Tortoise to the south. It was coming toward us eating grass on the way. We stood still and it came within 20 feet. We were able to get several photos. It was another great day for a walk. Warm (mid 80's), cool breeze, and sunny. Hope I get to end this way a lot more. ...............Herman