Sunday, June 12, 2011

Cape Haze Walkabout

Cape Haze is a beautiful spot along Florida's Gulf Coast.
I went there today to shoot some landscapes and this is what I saw.


Coral Creek on one side and the intra-coastal waterway on the other.









Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Landscapes at Sleeping Turtles Preserve

Hot, hazy afternoon here on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  Took a walk along the Myakka River in Sleeping Turtles Preserve. 


The trails are flat, easy and very well marked.  There is a nice picnic site and a canoe/kayak launch.



Rainy season hasn't arrived yet, but lots of bromeliads blooming.



A great book about riverscapes,

Cabbage Palm Fern (Phlebodium aureum)

Come see the Myakka River when you get a chance.  You will love it too.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Limpkin at Deer Prairie Creek

A short afternoon visit to Deer Prairie Creek Preserve in Venice, Florida.  Nice day, beautiful landscapes and a photogenic and cooperative Limpkin (Aramus guarauna).

This preserve is another very large, multi-use area owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Located on the eastern banks of the Myakka River, it protects the watershed of the river and into Charlotte Harbor.

Feeding Limpkin.

The field guides say that Limpkins feed on Apple Snails, but this one had other ideas.

I think these are Asian Clams (Corbicula flumenea).



The newly opened South Entrance is closest to the kayak launch, small lake, picnic area, and is handicap accessable.


Thistles


Cattails and Water Hemlock.

One of several covered picnic tables.

Trails are well marked and maintained.

Equestrian use is allowed in the northern end of the preserve.

Water Hyancinth (Eichhoria crassipes).

Live oak (Quercus virginana) with Spanish Moss (Tillandsai usenoides).


Looking for that perfect landscape shot!