Wednesday, June 02, 2004, Lakeland Highlands Scrub

Polk County Environmental Lands had posted a notice that the Lakeland Highlands Scrub would be closed during May. I had missed the scrub, and we decided to walk it. A friend walked with me. First thing we saw was a small brown rabbit that hopped towards us as we got started. It seemed not to see us, but when it did, it took to the woods. We walked toward the pond which is about half dry. An osprey was sitting the the nest south of the pond. We continued on and spotted three black vulture's (buzzards) roosting in a tree. Our next view was of an eagle in a tree west of the trail. It was being harrassed by small birds and they chased it futher away. Did not see any scrub jays today. We were resting at the table after completing the walk and saw a black snake come out of a hole in the ground and crawl away. It was hot today and we were both tuckered...................Herman

Friday, June 04, 2004, Green Swamp Trail, Rockridge Road Entrance, Lakeland

Today a friend and I walked the Green Swamp Trail. We entered on the Rockridge Road entrance north of Lakeland. This full trail runs from Rockridge Road to SR 471 ((about 7 miles). We walked a couple of miles from the entry. As we arrived a medium sized dog joined us and stayed with us during the walk. The trail is a wide, open packed dirt and gravel road. There is no shade. We took a short detour on a side trail. The side trail was much better as it had shade. We did not get to the Withlacoochee River, which crosses the trail, but a ranger had informed us that it was mostly dry. Saw very little this date, but sweat. It was hot and humid.........................Herman

Monday, June 07, 2004, Circle B Bar

Today I walked Circle B Bar. Arrived at the parking area at about 7:30 AM and started walking. I took the trail to cross the marsh. At the start of the marsh, I spotted an eagle in a tree toward the lake. It was at a good distance. As I continued around the marsh, I saw many red-winged blackbirds, and crows. There were three sandhill cranes in the marsh. One landed as I approached, it's cry was very loud. The young osprey was standing on the top of the nest. It is developing well. The young hawk was also on the limb beside it's nest. I watched the hawk as it moved about, but it stayed near the nest. Not a bad day with eagle, sandhill crane, young osprey and young hawk. Hope that I can continue to get out.The heat was getting to me as I finished the walk........................Herman

Saturday, June 12, 2004, Circle B Bar

Today I arrived at Circle B Bar about 0730 and started the trail. Near the first fork in the trail I spotted two pileated woodpeckers and was able to photograph them. I continued on across the marsh, which had a bit more water due to the recent rains. There were some black-bellied whistling ducks in the marsh, also photographed a great blue heron that was near the trail. As I neared the lake, a large tree limb blocked the trail. Several other walkers approached from the lake side and we cleared the trail. I continued on to the osprey nest. It was empty. Two osprey were in a tree far out into the marsh. At the hawk nest, the young hawk was perched on a limb. Got several good photos of it. Walked out without futher incident.......................Herman

Monday, June 14 2004, Van Fleet State Trail

Last week I got a used bicycle. I put a new tire on it and today, I biked the Van Fleet State Trail. I started at the trailhead on Green Pond Road north of Polk City. Rode north from there for an hour and then returned. I did well. Have not ridden a bike for about 25 years and I did not fall off. First thing I saw was turkey. It was in a field beside the trail. Also, saw a lot of pileated woodpeckers. On the return trip I saw 5 gophers and a small box turtle and several black snakes. Today was a good outing, the trail was shaded by the trees alongside and when the sun got high, clouds provided shade. It was not too hot and the trail was level. ......Herman

Wednesday, June 16, 2004, Gator Creek

I had to give blood for a lab test today, so I got up early. After getting a needle stuck in my arm I went to Gator Creek, since I was half way there. I arrived a little after 8 AM and started the walk. It was already hot and muggy. This walk could be called a swim. I had gotten past the first two forks in the trail when I met a man walking a large black dog. We stopped and talked a bit. I found that he had once owned the Gator Creek property. He stilled lived adjacent and entered via a gate on the back side. We walked and talked as we went to the Otter Pond. He was very interesting. As we were walking the trail beside Gator Creek Canal, the dog alerted to something on the side of the trail. It was a Ground Rattlesnake (Pygmy Rattler). It was large for a ground rattler. I photographed the snake and we continued to the pond. I sat at the pond for a bit and he continued home. There was one 3 foot gator floating in the center of the pond and several very small gators in the grass near the edge. Near the entrance, I observed several tufted titmice flitting about in the trees and raising a racuous. I had promised my wife a Buger King hamburger for lunch so I had a short walk today. .................Herman

Friday, June 18, 2004, Circle B Bar

While driving to Circle B today, I encountered a rain shower which required the windshield wipers. Arrived at the parking area and entered the trail at 0740. It was hot and muggy, but clouds shielded the hot sun. During the walk I saw pileated woodpecker, redbelly woodpeckers, ibis, egret, little and great blue heron, green heron, wood duck, cardinals, redwinged blackbirds, woodstork, osprey, and a bird yet to be identified. At the hawks nest I saw the young hawk, but could not get a clear view. It disappeared while I was moving to get an unobstructed view. I was also able to photo a black water snake. The spiders had been very busy and had very tough web spun across the trail. I do not like walking into unseen spider web. I watched a great blue heron catch a large fish. It played with the fish for about 10 minutes and finally abandoned it. It must have been to large to swallow. Saw the woodstork in the marsh near the bridge. Had not seen a woodstork at Circle B befor today. When I completed the walk, it felt like I had been swimming in my clothes. ............... Herman

Monday, June 21, 2004, The first day of summer, Circle B Bar
A friend and I arrived at the parking area at 0750 and started the walk. We took the trail through the oak hammock to the lake. It was hot and humid. The grass was wet and our feet became soaked very quickly. A short into the trail we spotted two black-bellied whistling ducks perched in trees. We photographed them. We continued on the trail taking several rest breaks in the oak hammock. Two osprey were in the top of a tree on the lakeside. As we approached the area of the osprey nest, a hawk flew from a tree adjacent to the trail and perched on a limb of the tree containing the osprey nest. It appeared to be the young hawk. The osprey that was flying about and landing near the nest appeared to be the young osprey. We rested a bit in this area. We continued walking around the marsh and saw herons, egrets, ibis, cardinals and blackbirds. We finished the walk very tired,due to the heat and humidity. .................. Herman

Wednesday, June 23, 2004, General James Van Fleet Trail State Park
Today I biked the Van Fleet Trail. I arrived at the Polk City Trail Head at 0810 and started the ride. The trail was busy near Polk City. The sky was cloudless, but the trees on the side of the trail provided shade. Saw many rabbits and some towhee. Just before reaching the bend of the trail I saw two red-shoulder hawks on the west side of the trail. They were very loud. I got a few photos of them. I crossed Dean Still Rd and just before I reached Poyner Rd a great blue heron flew from alongside the trail and flew ahead of me for several minutes.I finally arrived at the Green Pond Rd Trail Head. This was 9.5 miles from the start. I then started the return trip. Saw a few gophers, a raccoon and many rabbits. This was my first long bike ride since getting the bike several weeks ago. I had not ridden for over 25 years. My legs did well, but my sitter got tired. ........Herman

Friday, June 25, 2004, Lakeland Highlands Scrub
I arrived at the parking area at 0745 and started the walk. I started on the short loop trail through the trees, but crossed over to the main trail. I took the route to the pond. The trail by the pond was flooded. A path had been mowed between the trail and the pond and it looked fairly dry. This was deceptive. I got my feet wet. Both ospreys were on the nest south of the pond. Photographed the ospreys and several red-bellied woodpeckers. Also photographed a great white egret and an enhinga in the pond. I continued walking and spotted an eagle in a tree. A little futher along, I saw several scrub jays. These are some of the first that I have seen in the scrub without leg bands. It was very hot and sunny, so I only went about a third of the trail and then returned. We need more shade on the scrub trails. ........................Herman

Monday, June 28, 2004, Circle B Bar
Got an early start today. Woke up at 5 and I was at the parking area at 0615. The sun rose at 0634. Walked to the marsh, stopping several times to photograph the sunrise. Not very spectacular today, but nice. As I arrived at the marsh, I saw two pileated woodpeckers in the trees, but they flew off. Two black-bellied ducks were sitting on the posts at the start of the marsh. I photographed them. I stopped several times to photograph the sunrise as I crossed the marsh and from the south side of the marsh. As I walked along the marsh toward the lake, I photographed more of the sunrise, but the sun was getting high in the clouds. Also observed were herons, ibis and osprey as well as the blackbirds. I also photographed several flowers. Saw one large alligator in the lake, but none in the marsh. After I passed the dock I saw an eagle in a tree beside the lake. A wide swath of grass had been mowed from the trail to the lake side and I walked to the edge of the water. Saw anothe large gator here. I sat a spell watching the gator and the eagle. This morning was a bit overcase, which was good. It was still very humid and hot. I had started early and I finished early before the heat had set in. ............... Herman