Friday, September 03, 2004, Lakeland Highlands Scrub Reserve
I nearly did not walk today. Hurricane Francis was supposed to hit Saturday, but it has slowed down and it will now be Sunday before it gets here and I can pick up my loose stuff Saturday. Got to Circle B Bar about 0815, but the entry was boarded up. There was no note advising why it was closed. I drove to the Highlands Scrub and it was open. I took the main trail to the railroad trail and the pond. The trail to the pond at the railroad trail was flooded so I took the railroad one. It was wet, but passable. I went to the end and then south on the back trail. Had a good breeze today with some clouds. It was hot but nice. I was looking for Scrub Jay, but did not see any. Photographed some egret, ibis and mockingbird. When I got to the place where the back trail turns back toward the pond, I retraced my path as I knew that the pond was flooded. The northern part of the main trail also floods so I did not try it. The weather seemed to be building so I hurried back to the truck. I saw a hawk and an eagle at great distance. Also saw one of the little yellowish-green birds. Had not been to the scrub since June 25. Have to start getting here more often.At the parking area, I met a man who had just planted a varigated yucca aloifolia ( spanish baynoet - the varigated version is rare). I took a photo of it. ........Herman

Wednesday, September 15, 2004, Home
After Charley and Francis it is very wet on the trails. Circle B Bar is still closed and will probably be closed for a while. I have also been busy with some family business. Hope to get back on a trail next week. Probably will be Gator Creek or the Highlands Scrub. I've also been thinking about biking the Van Fleet again. I have taken a few photos of insects and lizards around the house and had to cut out a door jam that had some dry wood termites. Need to get the house treated. Them little buggers eat fast. ..................... Herman

Monday, September 20, 2004, Gator Creek
Finally got back on a trail today. I arrived at about 0830 and started the walk. The area between the main trail and the paved entry was very wet so I walked the Cypress Dome paved trail first. The trail was blocked by fallen trees in several places, but it was easy to get around them. Got a photo of a Flycatcher and a Downey Woodpecker on this trail. Then I put on the rubber boots and waded to the main trail. The main trail was dry with just a few wet spots. However, heavy flooding blocked the access to the Gator Creek Loop. The water was deeper than my knee boots and it was flowing fairly fast across the trail. I then tried the other part of the main trail and was blocked by a deep and wide creek. Got a photo of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a Gulf Fritillary Butterfly. Saw a very large hawk, but could not get a photo of it. Except for the high water and mosquitos it was a very pleasant walk. I had about a quarter inch of deet on my skin and I had sprayed my pants and shirt before putting them on and the mosquitos still got through it. It was fairly cool (mid 80's) and low humidity. .......... Herman