A Walk in the Woods

[mikecat adjuster]

Okay, I'm at it again, taking a stroll through the Piney Woods of Florida along Hwy 30-A. Lately, I've been in the picturesque cypress swamps, collecting photos and video of some mighty impressive Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth). But today I wanted to venture into Point Washington State Forest and the surrounding area, including Grayton Beach State Park. I wanted to get out of the swamp and see about finding other species of snake and other sights to behold.

The diversity of this area of Florida is astounding and makes for some enjoyable hiking. And my hikes aren't all about snakes. Sure, you'll still see pictures and video of some of the snake encounters I had today, but you'll see more.

Out there, on the trails and in the woods, I see pitcher plants, Osprey, Owl, Coyote, Deer, interesting artifacts, Cactus and more. And I've put together a video that will show you what a walk through these woods can entail.

I truely hope you enjoy our walks together. Next time, who knows where we will travel and what we will see. I can't wait

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zccdBbVLK60"]YouTube - A Walk in the Woods[/ame]

 

[aggieb]

how did you get your camera back? that really is funny, though.
do you know okefenokee joe?

 

[mikecat adjuster]

No, I don't think I know Okefenokee Joe but I've been to the swamp there when I was younger. Btw, to answer your question, I got my camera back by dragging it away with a stick.

Even funnier, well, for the viewer, would have been if I'd posted the video of me falling as I rode my bike down a trail. I landed on the handle bar and it penetrated deep in the recesses of my abdomon. I feel deep tissue soreness to be sure. I was going to include that to demonstrate that you can bike through the trails as well. But holding a camera and trying to avoid the roots etc. is not wise. The snakes didn't get me but my bike handle bar did

Is Okefenokee Joe a nice fella with some interesting tid bits for me? I'd sure like to know. My grandfather, who is 93 or 94 was a biology professor at Georgia Univeristy and studied various things in the Okefenokee. He has great stories about catching Gator and snakes with his bare hands there. I don't do much of that. I'm really kind of a scaredy cat, I guess. Actually, I could be catching and handling these for the camera but I'd rather not mess with them too much. I have enjoyed just catching them with the camera in their natural environment.

I get asked all the time, "Why"?

Well, I often explain it to people but do I really need to? Since I was a kid I've enjoyed being in the woods. It's a great big house out there. A wild, pure house. And the things that live out there have to make it happen, or else. And I love to watch it unfold. I love to claim witness to it all.

I probably get 10% of the salient stuff captured on film, and even that doesn't fully capture what I see with the naked eye. But that has been fun to me, putting it together in a little film. (I just recently realized I had video capability with my camera)

You know, at Grayton Beach today 3 kids ran up to the area where I'd seen that Moccasin. I showed them the video on the display screen of my camera. They were so eager to see what I saw. The thing is, that snake was so obvious, right there next to the road in the middle of the water. But I watched several bikes and cars pass before I got up to it and no one had noticed it. But when they saw me going in for a closer look... anyway, I like to share these experiences with others. I am fascinated by wildlife and so are many others. And this is the special time of year for it.

As always, if anyone knows where common sightings of Easterns are, let me know.

 

[ASH]

Awesone stuff! Thanks Mike. I am jealous of your findings.

 

[Grayton Girl]

Another Jewel!

Thank you, Mike, for yet another fabulous video!

I am taking my niece and nephew (10 & 8) for a nature hike this weekend, and we will be "on the lookout" for all this flora and fauna! We love the Cassine trails because of all the variety (piney woods, oaks, cypress swamp, babbling creek, lake), and I bet the water is high and rushing in the creek back there. I am really looking forward to it and will bring my camera!

Keep the videos coming....

 

[30abob]

No, I don't think I know Okefenokee Joe...

...Is Okefenokee Joe a nice fella with some interesting tid bits for me? I'd sure like to know.

Okefenokee Joe has been around forever; he was the original "Crocodile Hunter" - maybe that should be "Gator Hunter".

He came to my middle school (Southwest GA) every year for a "show & tell" session on all manner of Swamp Critters. That was around 25 years ago, I don't know if he still visits schools. I grew up on a family farm that included 200+ acres of the finest swamp land you could ever want so I usually followed up his visit with a trip into the deepest parts of the swamp looking for interesting (code for dangerous) stuff. My mom hated it when he came because I ruined all my clothes and shoes during the next few weeks!

 

[mikecat adjuster]

Thanks Grayton girl. Walk slow on that boardwalk, be on the lookout, and you should be rewarded. And I'd love to be shooting some more film today and this weekend, but I'm headed for an even greater prize, my two kiddies

But even with my kids here for the week, I still plan on possibly collecting some footage, mostly of them, but I'm sure we'll venture out beyond the norm. Wow, neice and nephew 10 and 8? My two are 9 and 7. Kids love other kids.

Anyway, I have a idea for a neat video, we'll see if I can get it done soon.

30abob, that's good stuff. You make me want to explore that 200 plus acres. I have an uncle in Georgia, actually a good bit of family, but he lives in an area with a lot of Rattlers. I'd love to get over to see him and make some finds. If the weather cooperates I may get out in Mobile on my way to get my kids and see some gator with a friend.

I do miss that at this time of year. In Louisiana I'd paddle my kayak and on one day I stopped counting at 126 gator. They were basking on the banks and would jump in, some popping up only feet from my kayak. The larger ones would not be seen for long though once they spotted me. A few big ones, though, I saw building up speed and then thrusting into what looked like the bank but what was actually known (known to them) holes under water. It was some impressive sights in the bayou state. And yes, I was scared a few times.

I came upon a gator once that nearly covered the bayou from one side to the other. I called my brother from the water, telling him in case I didn't return. I spoke with another guy who frequented the area who came up with the exact estimate, a 15 footer. This gator was arching his back with its tail and head prominantly being dispalyed. I think it was a mating ritual. But that's the biggest, by far, gator I've ever seen, captive or otherwise.

Again, thanks for your kind words. I sure wish, among other wishes, that I owned a higher quality camera that could capture more clearly what I'm seeing out there. It's a shame to be so close and still not have a precise image. But, it'll have to do.

Happy Easter to all.

 

[Goddessgal]

Very cool video! Do you know what kind of owl it was that you photographed? Can't wait for the next nature walk-

 

[Everytime]

I do miss that at this time of year. In Louisiana I'd paddle my kayak and on one day I stopped counting at 126 gator. They were basking on the banks and would jump in, some popping up only feet from my kayak. The larger ones would not be seen for long though once they spotted me. A few big ones, though, I saw building up speed and then thrusting into what looked like the bank but what was actually known (known to them) holes under water. It was some impressive sights in the bayou state. And yes, I was scared a few times.

I came upon a gator once that nearly covered the bayou from one side to the other. I called my brother from the water, telling him in case I didn't return. I spoke with another guy who frequented the area who came up with the exact estimate, a 15 footer. This gator was arching his back with its tail and head prominantly being dispalyed. I think it was a mating ritual. But that's the biggest, by far, gator I've ever seen, captive or otherwise.

Do you ever see any gators on the coastal dune lakes? I took a kayak out on Eastern Lake Sunday evening, around 6:00 pm until 7:00, went back to the marshy shore on the north end but didn't see anything (not even a water moccasin). I feel like they are back there somewhere, but I haven't seen one yet.

 

[mikecat adjuster]

I've seen some gator in the dune lakes, but they are not prevalent there. I'm use to seeing them lining the banks.

My kids and I saw about 8 snakes today, in swampy areas. More water snakes than I was seeing. Before it was mostly moccasin. They caught some tadpoles in there too. We didn't see any snakes walking the trails, though.

I wished I'd done my taxes earlier!