Gopher Tortoise: Nature's Landlord

The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a member of a family (Testudinidae) of ancient North American land tortoises. 

Gopher Tortoise Facts 

The Gopher Tortoise is found throughout Florida, and in the southernmost portions of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina.

Gopher Tortoise Counsel...conservation proponents.

Of medium size, about 9-10 pounds, individuals live about 50 years in the wild....and up to 100 years in captivity.

Listed as a "Threatened Species" on the Endangered Species List, the main enemies of this slow moving herbivore are cars and land developers.

Charlotte County Florida Review data sheet.

Polyphemus excavates and lives in burrows which extend from 6 to 50 feet underground.  These burrows are cohabited by over 300 other species....vertebrates, invertebrates....and often the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Resource

 

Thus, when a Gopher Tortoise burrow is destroyed, the effect is devastating not only to the tortoise, but to many onther species as well.

Why Polyphemus????  Doesn't look like the One-eyed Cyclops from Homer's Odyssey!

The Odyssey...Part 9, The Voyage Home

Here's an oil on canvas, "Ulysses in the Cave of Polyphemus."  Jakob Jordaens, 1630.

My guess is that the binomial name comes from the Greek, "cave dwelling."  What do you think?

Brown Pelican

 

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)  diving for small fish in the Gulf of Mexico.  Boca Grande Beach State Park.  Gasparilla Island, Florida.

Polka-dot Wasp Moth

Polka-dot Wasp Moth (Syntomeida epilais).  Taken in our backyard here in Punta Gorda, FL by wife Olivia.  Kaufman's Field Guide says they are common, but it's the first one we've noticed.

Polka-dot Wasp Moth

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Ponce de Leon Park: A Gem in Punta Gorda, Florida

A small park in Punta Gorda, Florida.  Situated on Charlotte Harbor's shorefront.  There is a beach, a boat ramp, picnic area, rest rooms, playground and a boardwalk through the mangroves.  It is also the home of the Peace River Wildlife Center (bird and animal rescue and rehabilitation).

Perfect for some relaxed birding.  Here's a Night Heron in the mangroves.

An oasis of nature amid suburbia.

The group picnic area can be reserved for special events.

There always seems to be a Great Blue Heron around the boat launch and fishing pier....waiting for a handout.

A nice little beach looking out over the harbor toward Cayo Costa and Boca Grande.

A Great White Heron

An "arty" B&W shot of the fishing pier.

If you look closely, you can find some Mangrove Tree Crabs.

A path follows the shoreline through the mangroves.

Overhead is an Osprey with this catch.

 

A Little Blue Heron.

Eastern Pondhawk.

Mangrove Buckeye.

 

The Peace River Wildlife Center.  You can visit and see the good work that they do.

Red Shouldered Hawk.

Lubber Grasshopper.

Hooded Merganser.

 

A plaque honoring Florida's first game warden, Columbus G McCleod.....killed by plume hunters.

White Ibis.

Spanish Bayonet.

 

Playground for the kids.

Little Green Heron.

Anole.

Kayak fishing in the shallows.

The snook are hiding way back in the mangroves.

 

Fishermen wade, powerboat....or just sail by and watch.

Brown Pelican.

Always watching too are the everpresent vultures.

And Doves.

Weather watchers will love the storm clouds over Charlotte Harbor.

And in the evening you can see the most beautiful sunsets.

You won't see all of this in one visit to Ponce de Leon Park.  Come back often....there is always more to see.

Great Southern White Butterfly

Great Southern White (Ascia monuste).  Note the distinctive blue antennae tips.  Taken at Gilchrist Park, Punta Gorda, Florida.

Hooded Merganser at Celery Fields

Hooded Merganser (male) (Lophodytes cucullatus).

Merganser link

Hooded Merganser pair with Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) in foreground.

Blue-winged Teal link

Seen at Celery Fields Audubon Preserve in Sarasota, Florida.

Celery Fields link