Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Nature Man and his wife Alma (Grandpa and Grandma) had the wonderful experience of exploring Washington Oaks Gardens State Park with their grandchildren, Josie and Noah, and their Mom (our daughter) Melissa on a beautiful sunny 75 degree December day, the Monday after Christmas. You got to love living in our wonderful sunny NE Florida paradise.

Melissa, Josie and Noah

Extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Matanzas River, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park preserves 425 acres of Florida's original coastal scenery. Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, Washington Oaks is also famous for the shoreline of  coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic Beach.

Coquina Rock

Location
Follow I95 south from Jacksonville and take exit 305 (FL-206) east to State Road A1A South. Washington Oaks is located two miles south of Marineland on State Road A1A. Visitors can learn about the park's natural and cultural resources in the visitor center behind and between the gardens and the Matanzas River.




History
Washington Oaks land is part of the Bella Vista Plantation once owned by General Joseph Hernandez, a Floridian of Minorcan descent. Hernandez was a militia general who commanded troops in this part of Florida during the Second Seminole War. A surveyor named George Washington, a relative of the first President of the United States, married Hernandez's daughter in 1845.

Matanzas River

In 1818, Jose Mariano Hernandez, a St. Augustine native, bought the land, and named it "Bella Vista". On his many land holdings, Hernandez raised cotton, sugar and crops to feed the family, workers and slaves. Bella Vista adjoined his cotton plantation to the south, but was apparently never developed as a separate farm itself.

Much of what you see in the park today was left by Mr. Owen D. Young and his wife Louise. Mr. Young bought the property in 1937 and they enjoyed it for many years as a winter retreat.  Mr. Young helped found the RCA Corporation and became Chairman of the Board of The General Electric Company in 1922. Mrs. Young donated the property to the State of Florida in 1964 following the death of Mr. Young.

On September 30, 2009 approximately 21 acres of Washington Oaks was designated on the National Register of Historic Places highlighting 8 significant structures throughout the park.

Hiking/Nature Trails

Washington Oaks provides trails for both hiking and biking.  The Bella Vista trails include the Timucuan hiking trail, Jungle Road hike and bike trail and the Old A-1-A hike and bike trail. This 1.7 mile trail system explores a mature coastal maritime hammock and ventures into the edge of a dense canopied coastal scrub. The Mala Compra hiking trail is a half mile loop that explores the ecozone between the coastal maritime hammock and the estuarine tidal marsh along the Matanzas River. The trails are maintained by Florida Trail Association volunteers.

Picnicking
Washington Oaks provides a beautiful picnic facility beneath large majestic oaks. There is a covered pavilion that is equipped with 10 picnic tables and 3 charcoal grills.  Picnic tables are plentiful  throughout the designated grounds. The pavilion can be reserved for a special function by calling the Park Office at 386-446-6783. Clean restrooms are available. A children's playground is found next to the picnic area.


Formal Gardens
The formal gardens are the centerpiece of Washington Oaks. A portion of the hammock contains a formal garden where many species of exotic Plants from around the world are displayed along footpaths and around reflecting ponds. The gardens are well known for their azaleas, camellias and roses.

Birding
The park is on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Birding can be enjoyed in a variety of habitats including the beach, Matanzas River and throughout the formal gardens. A Birding Checklist is available in kiosks located throughout the park and on the official  Florida State Parks website under the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park information link.

Nature Man Photography is pleased to bring you the following:

 

 

 

 

We Love Hiking with Grandpa and Grandma

 

Rainbow Bridge

As I explained in my last post our Brittany Bridget passed away. What I did not explain is that she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure a few months ago and with medication we were able to extend her life a few extra months. However, on Saturday when we returned home from the Will McLean Folk Festival it was clear that she was in pain and having a very difficult time breathing. Not wanting to watch her suffer I decided it was time to have her humanely put to sleep.  Since it was 7:30 in the evening on a Saturday our Veterinarian's answering service referred me to the all night Affiliated Veterinary Emergency Center on Southside Blvd. at Beach Blvd. I quickly transported her to the Emergency Center but God had a different idea for the end of Bridget's life. He took her humanely by stopping her heart just as I arrived at the Emergency Center.  The technicians took her in only to immediately pronounce to me that Bridget's heart had stopped.  Their services were not needed so they helped me prepare her for the ride home so I could bury her next to our first dog Murphy.  Today, I received a very nice card from the staff at Atlantic Veterinary Emergency Center.  On the front of the card is a very touching story about pets entitled Rainbow Bridge. So for all you NatureIsReal followers here are the very special words of Rainbow Bridge. I recommend a tissue in your hand before you start reading the following words.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven lies the Rainbow Bridge.

When a beloved pet dies, it goes to the Rainbow Bridge. It makes friends with other animals and frolics over rolling hills and peaceful, lush meadows of green.

Our pets do not thirst or hunger. The old and sick are made young once more; the maimed and the ill become healed and strong. They are as healthy and playful as we remember them in days gone by.

Though happy and content, they still miss someone very special, someone they had to leave behind.

Together, the animals chase and play, but the day comes when a pet will suddenly stop and look into the distance...bright eyes intent, eager body quivering. Suddenly recognizing you, your pet bounds quickly across the green fields and into your embrace. You celebrate in joyous reunion. You will never again separate. Happy tears and kisses are warm and plenty; your hands caress the face you missed.  You look once more into the loving eyes of your pet and know you never really parted. You realize that though out of sight, your love had been remembered.

And now you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

Written by M. A. Preston

Thank you to the staff of the Affiliated Veterinary Emergency Center, your card is very special to me.

Dogs

God blessed our Family for almost 13 years with a devoted, loyal, loving dog, Bridget, our Brittany Spaniel, who passed yesterday to heaven to wait on us with her tail wagging. With tears, smiles and fond memories of the joy she brought our family it reminds me of the Gene Hill quotes about dogs my brother emailed me several months ago after his dog Kate passed. Thanks David! For those of you who don't know about Gene he is the author of several books about life with dogs. So join me in tears, smiles and fond memories of past dogs in your lives as you read the following quotes from Gene Hill. My favorite is in bold print.

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever—in case I need him. And I expect I will—as I always have. He is just my dog.

I can't imagine living in a house without a couple of dogs. If I ever got out of bed at night and didn't have to step over a Labrador or two or three, or move one off the covers so I could turn over, my nights would be more restless and the demons that wait in the dark for me would be less easily fended.

I can't think of anything that brings me closer to tears than when my old dog—completely exhausted after a hard day in the field—limps away from her nice spot in front of the fire and comes over to where I'm sitting and puts her head in my lap, a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes, and goes back to sleep. I don't know what I've done to deserve that kind of friend.

I like them all—pointers, setters, retrievers, spaniels—what have you. I've had good ones and bad of several kinds. Most of the bad ones were my fault and most of the good ones would have been good under any circumstances.

It's not really important that Tip was a good dog to hunt over, but it is important to me that she was a good dog to be with. She was my pal. We enjoyed being with each other. I don't know that you can ask for much more.

No one can fully understand the meaning of love unless he's owned a dog. A dog can show you more honest affection with a flick of his tail than a man can gather through a lifetime of handshakes.

We never really own a dog as much as he owns us.

Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies.

Thank you God for bringing us Bridget, she was a special part of our lives we will never forget.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia is our second oldest national park.  Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are located in south-central California, in the Sierra Nevada.







Topographic Features
To the north lies the Giant Forest plateau where sequoias rise above their forest neighbors. In cathedral-like Giant Forest stands the 275-foot General Sherman giant sequoia tree, whose trunk weighs an estimated 1,385 tons and whose circumference at the ground is nearly 103 feet. To the west, in contrast to these gargantuan conifers, are the dry foothills with their oak trees and chaparral vegetation descending toward the San Joaquin Valley. To the south, and down over 5,000 vertical feet, the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River threads its rugged canyon. To the east snowcapped peaks of the Great Western Divide and the Kaweah Peaks top out on Mount Kaweah at 13,802 feet. Just out of sight beyond the divide the highest mountain in the contiguous 48 states, Mount Whitney, reaches 14,494 feet of elevation.

John Muir
Pioneering conservationist John Muir explored and named the Giant Forest. "When I entered the sublime wilderness the day was nearly done", he observed, "the trees with rosy, glowing countenances seemed to be hushed and thoughtful, as if waiting in conscious religious dependence on the sun, and one naturally walked softly and awestricken among them." With our friends Walt and Mary, Alma and I, spent 4 glorious days in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in June 2013. We had the same feeling that John Muir had walking through the beautiful Sequoia trees, gazing at the magnificent mountain peaks, fly-fishing the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River and enjoying the abundant wildlife.

Deep Canyons and High Peaks
Both Sequoia and Kings Canyon encompass the most rugged portions of the Sierra Nevada. From the highest peaks in the lower 48 states, Ice Age glaciers descended to carve some of the country's deepest canyons. In their upper reaches these gorges show the U-shaped profile characteristic of glacial gouging. At the lower elevations they resume V-shape of water-carved canyons. In Sequoia the Generals Highway climbs the stream-cut walls of the Kaweah canyon. Kings Canyon Scenic Byway passes through both geologic profiles; where it ends, you can stand on canyon floor scoured flat by glaciers and stare up at canyon walls rising thousands of feet. Extreme elevation change--from 1,500 to 14,494 feet--creates a great variety of habitats. Plants and animals inhabit life zones that range from desert heat to Arctic cold. This rich diversity stands as one of the values Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks preserve for the world.

Visiting the Parks
Flights into Fresno or Bakersfield are most convenient departure points for visiting the parks.Vehicle access is by CA 180 into Kings Canyon or CA 198 into Sequoia. The Generals Highway connects both, making loop trips possible. On our visit we used Generals Highway from our overnight accommodations at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia to drive to and through Kings Canyon.  This drive is spectacular and highly recommended on your visit to the Parks. 

Moro Rock Trail

Moro Rock
When visiting the must see Giant Forest of Sequoias, Moro Rock is another must see quick side trip. Moro Rock is a dome-shaped granite monolith. Moro Rock parking area is 1.5 miles from Giant Forest Museum. A strenuous .25-mile trail climbs 300 vertical feet between the parking area and Moro Rock's summit. The ultimate elevation is 6,725 feet. Guardrails enclose the narrow, level area at the top of Moro Rock, and interpretive signs identify landmarks. To the north Mount Silliman and Alta Peak are visible, and to the east is the Great Western Divide with the Castle Rocks in the foreground. To the west you can see the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River winding down the canyon toward the town of Three Rivers and the hazy San Joaquin Valley. Mount Whitney,  at 14,494 feet, also rises up to the west. Bring a good camera because believe me you will want to snap many pictures while at the top of Moro, especially the beautiful Mount Whitney.

Brown "Black Bear"

Wildlife
Mule deer, yellow-bellied marmots, black bears were all seen and photographed by our party when we visited the two parks.  Our first major encounter was right at dusk while enjoying an adult beverage on our way to the Lodge restaurant a few yards from our rooms. During this short stroll we managed to casually walk up on three black bears.  We photographed for several minutes a large brown Black Bear (yes, there are brown Black Bears) and two black Black Bears feeding on berries hanging from the young bushy conifer looking trees. We had managed to see the large brown bear on our first day entering the Wuksachi Lodge area and Mary snapped a great picture of it standing on its two hind legs eating berries off a tree. We were in no hurry to leave the safe confines of our SUV. The bear must have stood 6 to 8 feet tall. What was strange about this second encounter was that Mary seemed to instantly loose her fear of bears.  I had to remind her to keep her distance before they decided she was a little too close to their main course meal.



Mule Deer Bucks

Our second major wildlife encounter occurred on our last full day before leaving the park.  Just off the main road near our overnight accommodations at Wuksachi Lodge were two very well racked mule deer bucks nosing each other.  We  carefully parked off the shoulder of the road and for about 10 minutes and were able to take photographs and videos of the two very large buck mule deer.  We commented over dinner that evening that the two deer must be brothers or father and son because you would never expect two large racked bucks to get along so well.

In addition to the large mammal sitings we saw many varieties of squirrel and chipmunk and an abundance of birds. Other wildlife not encountered by our party, but who live in the park, include Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, skunks and rabbits.  The most elusive creatures in Sequoia and Kings Canyon are the mountain lion and the wolverine.

Hiking
The main hiking season in Sequoia and Kings Canyon is early summer, the time we visited the park, through fall. Hikes in the foothills and South Fork areas, are best in the fall and spring. Trails tend to be more crowded on weekends and holidays, and throughout the summer vacation period.  We hiked many of the meadow trails that were covered in beautiful wildflowers in full colorful bloom and song birds filled your ears with their joyous tunes. On one of these trails we encountered two mule deer does frolicking the trail and a white headed woodpecker. Walt was successful in snapping a great picture with his new 50 times zoom camera of the woodpecker

It is highly suggested that you be prepared for all kinds of weather because it can turn at any time. A sunny day can turn into a cold and rainy one without much warning at higher elevations. Fortunately for us the weather was perfect every day on our tour of both of these parks. I also recommend that everyone treat wildlife with respect and keep a safe distance.

Nature Man Photography is pleased to bring you the following:

Happy Sequoia Hikers

Wildflower

Roaring River Falls

Crescent Meadow

White Headed Woodpecker

Thank-you Mary McNair for the brown Black Bear picture and Walt McNair for the White Headed Woodpecker picture.





Biologists Rescue Panther Kitten In Collier County

I received this article from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and thought you NatureIsReal lovers would enjoy and appreciate the fine work our FWC biologists perform for all of us. I have been impressed with their work ethic and dedication for many years.

A team of panther biologists rescued an approximately week-old Florida panther kitten at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge in Collier County in mid-January. Biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida discovered the kitten while conducting research. The 1-pound male kitten had a dangerously low body temperature and was nonresponsive. “We want to give any panther kitten the best opportunity to survive in the wild,” said FWC veterinarian Dr. Mark Cunningham. “But clearly this kitten was in poor condition and almost certainly would have died without intervention.”

Biologists transported the kitten to the Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida in Naples, where veterinarians and staff performed life-saving measures. Although his condition improved quickly, he still required 24-hour care. Once the kitten was strong enough to travel, biologists transported him to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. The young male is the fourth kitten and eighth panther to receive rehabilitation at the zoo. Because this kitten was so young at the time of rescue, he will not learn survival skills from his mother and therefore cannot be released into the wild. Although he will not return to the wild population, this panther will help to raise awareness and aid with potential research efforts. Initially the kitten will not be on public display but, once old enough, he will be transported to the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where park visitors may observe him.

“This kitten exemplifies how joint efforts of the FWC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and our partners are helping recover imperiled species in Florida,” said Kevin Godsea, manager of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge for the USFWS. “We are certainly pulling for him and hope he leads a long, healthy life.” The rehabilitation of this kitten would not be possible without the help of the Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo and the Department of Environmental Protection’s Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

Florida residents can support conservation efforts like the rescue of this kitten by purchasing a "Protect the Panther" license plate at BuyaPlate.com. Fees from license plate sales are the primary funding source for the FWC’s research and management of Florida panthers.

For more information on Florida panthers, visit www.floridapanthernet.org.

 

Jennings State Forest

Jennings State Forest Headquarters

On a rainy Saturday February 8th Nature Man had the pleasure of accomplishing two life changing events. I graduated the second Module of the UF IFAS Master Naturalist Program Freshwater Wetlands Module and  I joined my Florida Master Naturalist Freshwater Wetlands classmates for a field trip to Jennings State Forest, which is just west of Middleburg off highway 218.  If you have never had the pleasure of hiking in Jennings State Forest I highly recommend you make it your next outdoor destination.



Acquisition of Property and Management
Jennings, a 25,301 acre State Forest, was purchased by the State of Florida's Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL), Preservation 2000, and Save Our Rivers programs. Just a reminder, Guana property was purchased by CARL funds back in the 90's. I had the pleasure of speaking at three public hearings in favor of the purchase  of Guana from Gate Petroleum. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission, and the St. Johns River Water Management District are responsible for the management of Jennings State Forest.



Prescribed Burn Area

Natural Communities
Jennings State Forest has more than 15 different natural communities, each with unique plants, animals and physical characteristics.  A few examples are sandhills, slope forests, flatwoods, seepage slopes, dome swamps, blackwater streams and seepage streams. The variety of natural communities accounts for the abundant wildlife that occur in the forest. Gopher frogs, otter, alligator and wading birds can be seen along North Fork Black Creek and other streams. White-tailed deer, turkey, kestrel and other birds are found in the uplands. Rare plants like Bartram's Ixia, and St. Johns Susan can be observed in the forest, as well as many uncommon herb bog plants growing in the seepage slope communities. Several steephead ravines can be found in the forest. These ravines  are located along the seepage streams leading to North Fork Black Creek.  Gopher tortoise, pine snake, gopher frog, southeastern American kestrel, indigo snake and Sherman's fox squirrel are some of the rare sandhill species protected in Jennings State Forest.

Master Naturalist Class Field Trip

Cottonmouth Water Moccasin

Today our class was led by our instructors Carol, Allan, Amy, Beth and David in a wetland area just off the North Fork Black Creek.  We were rewarded very quickly for hiking in a light cold rain by finding a beautiful, coiled, Cotton Mouth Water Moccasin who lay nearly motionless due to the conditions.  Alan got a little too close to suit the snake to take its picture and it quickly turned its head his direction. Alan immediately moved back a little to give the snake a little more breathing room. I snapped a great picture from a safe distance using my zoom lens pocket Cannon camera.   On this hike we found American Holly, Cypress Trees, Native Bamboo and Neverwet (part of the Arum Family) which is a shallow stream or pond floating water plant.

Female Turkey Scat

We next visited a recent prescribed burn area next to a woodlands pond. In the area we saw the beneficial effect of fire on plant life and thus the positive impact on the wildlife. For some reason this was to be a very poopy day. We found rather large hog scat, male and female turkey scat (yes Allan said he was able to tell the difference due the shape (female curvy, male straighter).  I'm not kidding, Allan was serious.  We also found rabbit scat and whitetail deer scat.  In this area we saw numerous wood duck boxes installed for nesting, a hatched turkey egg shell, a hooded pitcher plant that was turned yellow from the fire and turkey needle palmetto burned in the fire to form an arrowhead shape at the end of the stalk.


It was back to the Jennings Forestry Office to dry out and warm up for lunch, project presentations and graduation proceedings. Our instructors were impressed with our projects. It was easy to tell everyone had fun developing their project and presentation.  I would like to thank each of our instructors for their wonderful expertise and excellent teaching skills.  This class was highly educational due to the excellent written material, presentations, videos and especially the very enjoyable hands on field trips. I can't wait for the Coastal Systems Module.  I hope you enjoy the pictures from the today's field trip.

Nature Man Photography is pleased to bring you the following:

Cypress Dome

Hooded Pitcher Plant

Master Naturalist Freshwater Wetlands Classmates and Instructors

Native Bamboo

Neverwet

Turkey Needle Palmetto "Arrowhead"

Whitetail Deer Scat

Wood Duck Nesting Box

 

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park

Gold Head Entrance Sign

Florida State Parks - America's Best

On foggy Saturday February  1^{s t}  I joined my Florida Master Naturalist Freshwater Wetlands Classmates for a field trip to Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park.  Before I begin to tell you about the things we learned on this field trip let me tell you about the Park. Gold Head Branch is one of Florida’s first state parks and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930’s and many of the original buildings remain. Located on rolling sandhills in North Central Florida, the park features a deep ravine where seepage springs from Gold Head Branch. Marshes, lakes and scrub provide diverse habitats for wildlife. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing along the park’s nature trails and a 5.5 mile stretch of the Florida Trail. A large picnic area, with tables and grills, overlooks Little Lake Johnson. Nestled under the trees is a full-facility campground. Group and primitive campsites are available. Fully equipped lakefront cabins, some of which were built by the CCC, are also available for rent. Camping or cabin reservations may be made by visiting ReserveAmerica.com or by calling ReserveAmerica at 800-326-3521. Gold Head Branch is located six miles northeast of Keystone Heights on State Road 21 (6239 State Road 21, Keystone Heights, Florida 32656 Phone Number 352-473-4701).

 

Gopher Tortoise Mound

Sheelar Lake Trail

Our first stop on this field trip was the Sheelar Lake Trail. Immediately our instructors Allan, Carol and Beth pointed out several Gopher Tortoise Mounds just off the park entrance road. On the trail we learned to identify British Soldier Lichen on the sandy soil.  Next we found a parasitic wasp cocoon on a plant leaf.  Allan opened the cocoon to show us the tiny parasitic wasp that was maturing in the shelter of the cocoon. Near the lake we saw deer tracks from a running deer which some of us had mistaken as hog tracks.  Allan quickly explained that the deer was running and that is why they looked very similar to hog tracks.  In and near the lake we saw a water turtle, a sand pine, identified by Beth, and a rosemary bush, identified by Carol, near the upper rim of the lake.

British Soldier Lichen

 

Fern Loop Trail

Next on our Saturday morning adventure was the Fern Loop Trail. On this trail we discovered the crystal clear spring fed Gold Head Branch Creek. In addition, we identified the Needle Palm, Yellow Bellied Sapsucker hole rings around a Sweet Gum Tree and some white Lichen on a Sweet Gum Tree.

 

Lake Johnson

Gold Head Branch

Next we traveled to Lake Johnson where we saw several ducks in flight far off into the distance, a great Blue Heron feeding along the lake shore.  In addition, our classmate Christian flushed a large covey of beautiful Quail that were hiding in a bush in the wetland prairie left by the receding Lake Johnson.




What's left of Lake Johnson

 

We ended the day at a picnic pavilion for lunch while each of the classmates presented their assigned interpretive discussion.  It was a very entertaining and enjoyable lunch. During the presentations we were all distracted by many birds in the trees including a Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow Rump Warbler and a Carolina Wren.  Nature Is Real and alive in Gold Head Branch State Park.

Nature Man Photography is pleased to bring you the following:
 

Allan Finding us a Bug

Great Blue Heron

Parasitic Wasp Cocoon

Rosemary Bush

Sand Pine

Yellow Belly Sapsucker Rows in a Sweet Gum