A New Resident at Myakka River State Park

Spring is truly a time of renewal. As the days warm and lengthen and the rain splashes upon the ground there is new life in the park. Flowers begin to bloom with the promise of summer fruit and the next generation of critters are born.

Spring Iris

Mid-morning Friday two visitors alerted both Bill and I to a motherless newborn fawn near the road. This must have been important as Bill and I monitor different areas of the park so they repeated their story at least twice. Bill was at the popular 'alligator bridge' 

Alligator swimming away from the bridge

and I at the famous 'Canopy Walkway' and nature walk.

View from the Canopy Tower

There are no coincidences in life and this day Bill and I 'happened' to cycle towards the Weir at the same time which was exactly when the couple who spotted the fawn chose to cycle our way. Yes, you guessed it, we all met and they shared the latest location for the fawn.

Newborn safe in the brush

Graciously, they guided us to it's last know location. Of course, the fawn had moved but a short search revealed it's hiding place. Now the fawn lay only feet from the road, it was a newborn and probably too weak to cross the asphalt road after birth.

Admit, it is hard to see in the brush

We called a ranger for a specific plan and were told “Keep a watch on the area but leave the fawn alone. The mother will remember where she left it and return.” Everyone left the area in hopes the mother would soon return. Two hours later I rechecked the area only to find the fawn still resting on a palm frond. To my uneducated eye, the fawn appeared scared and tired of resting near the roadside. Perhaps I misread the expression and it was one of impatience because on the next stop the fawn was no longer in the hiding place. An absence of disturbed area and fur indicated the mother did return to usher her newborn to a safer place.

Limpkin on the marsh
near the fawn's last hiding place

Rangers know of what they speak.

A bit of information on new born deer...

Females usually give birth to a single fawn, but if food is plentiful they will often have twins. Fawns are spotted and weigh about 3-4 kg (7-9 lb) at birth. The mother leaves them hidden in the vegetation for a week or two, but returns to nurse them several times a day. In this hiding phase, it is important not to approach or handle fawns. If you find a fawn lying down and it doesn’t run away, please leave it alone. The fawn has NOT been abandoned; the mother is watching from somewhere close by.http://www.wildflorida.com/wildlife/mammals/White_tailed_Deer.php

Baby Owls, Picnics, Friends: Reasons to volunteer at Myakka River State Park

I had heard there was a large Barred Owl hanging out in an oak tree at the Clay Gully picnic area.  The announcement came from Anne, a volunteer, who announced it's presence for the benefit of anyone wanting to see an owl. Later that day, Tom, another volunteer, bicycled by to show me his treasure photos.  I could only marvel as the owls had eluded me this year. Figuring the owls would leave before I arrived, I skipped the (bicycle) pedal to Clay Gully. But, the following day a park guest shared the news that the owl was still in the area.  OK, three notices in 24 hours, time to cycle up for a look. 

Air Plant Blooming
At Clay Gully

Sure enough, I could not find the owl.  Not to worry, Clay Gully has a magic peacefulness.  And the trees and air plants always make this a worthwhile trip.  

A few days later, Sunday, the early morning mist promises this will be an unforgettable day.  It was also to be an owl day, from a nature walk just after sunrise to sunset. Being free today, I opted for an early morning walk. 

A favorite walk

It was a symphony of bird calls and appropriate for my last Sunday in the park. It seemed the owls were calling from every branch but they still eluded my view.  Ah yes, I did see and hear many song birds but my quest was an owl.  No visible owl.

Immature Cardinal

Later in the day we attended the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at the Clay Gully picnic area. You know, that magically peaceful area.

Picnic Attendees

This annual event is graciously hosted by the Friends of Myakka RiverState Park. Sunday afternoon was perfect from the weather to the food and 'family'. Now, entertainment is often provided at a 'company' picnic but what do you present at a State Park event? Nature of course... and she delivered with the required short picnic shower, a few flying insects, song birds and a baby owl.

The STAR

That huge owl residing in a Clay Gully oak tree was a mom!  Earlier in the day one of the owlets wanted out of the nest and hopped out on a palm frond. By picnic time there are several photographers with huge lens cameras trained on the tree. You can't help but see the baby owl. 

The acrobat

The little owl was a clown and acrobat as it teetered out on the palm frond.  It accepted a lift from a rescuer back into it's nest but promptly jumped back out of the hole (nest) and onto the palm. A naturalist said to me, “I doubted it would stay in the nest.” 
Well, it continued it's acrobatics and eventually lost grip on the palm stem and floated to the ground.  Undaunted, it righted itself and started exploring.  Ranger Lisa decided it was time to intervene so she placed the owl on the trunk of the oak tree.  Yes it crawled towards home and mom owl who observed the entire show. Yes, rangers know of what they speak, nature can be quite entertaining.

It is now early evening and Mother Nature has not wrapped up shop for the day.  As we pedaled home the cry of a baby owl was heard so we stopped. 

Owl Pair awaiting dinner

There in the top of dead palm tree at the Bird Walk (how appropriate) were two baby owls. Across the road was a parent, another Barred Owl with a snake in it's talons. Unfortunately, the adult was easily spooked so their dinner would be delayed a bit.

Yes it was a beautiful day filled with our park family, nature, baby owls, and the hooting call, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”.

Home Sweet Swamp... er Home

It is true that much of Florida is a swamp regardless what the land developers tell you. 

Cypress, Iris, and Palmettos
Good indicators of a swamp

Even natives and long-time residents forget this fact until a good rain then the coastal residents gloat at their wisdom of home site selection.

Road several hours after a day of rain

Myakka River State Park is no exception. The park is about 20 miles east of the Florida gulf coast with sandy areas, lakes, rivers, and muck that quickly becomes swamp in a good rain.

Lush undergrowth after a rain
Cypress 'home swamp'

The volunteer village, the place where resident volunteers live during their stay, appears to be high and dry. The site is dry and tolerates gentle rains without any change but let it rain for an hour or so and it is a different story. The rain channels off your trailer and sits near the front door so soon every item left out is damp. 

Home several hours after a long rain

 After several hours of steady rain a river appears on the sand/gravel road and one can hear the cypress trees across the road breathe a sigh of thanks.

Cypress 'home swamp' when dry

Yes, cypress loves damp feet. So walking across the road from our site one drops down a foot or so onto a muck area filled with cypress and bright green small plants, moss, and air plants. I have become familiar with the swamp as it is the closest place to walk the cat. 

When we go out, 95% of the time she heads across the street to the dry swamp. 
But when it rains and the ground gets very wet

Do I look happy in this mess?

it is best to stay home... high and dry.

Yes, indoors today

Hike to Mossy Hammock at Myakka River State Park

Sunday morning and we have the day off. What to do?

Well, there are 39+ miles of official trails in this park and the Mossy Hammock trail was yet unconquered.

Small insect along the trail
And was I ever glad it was small!

And, it had been a week or so since the last hike into the back country at Myakka River State Park and this was a perfect morning for a walk.   Well, in truth, I had walked a small section but not to the Mossy Hammock campground.  Yes, this was the walk for today.

Mossy Hammock Trail

Having only a few hours we set off at Fox High Road, one of my favorite roads in the park, and were quickly on the foot trail. Sorry, bicyclists this trail is reserved for hiking.

Through the wooded canopy

In this area the trail passes through a heavy canopy of leaves and rambles along a stream that eventually feeds into the Upper Myakka Lake. Being spring the birds were chirping while butterflies and insects darted through the brush. From this trail head, the walk to Mossy Hammock trail is relatively short and with the beautiful trail we arrived almost before we started.

Interesting fungus along the trail
Note the algae(?) on the white mushroom

After a brief stop at the back-packcamping area we continued along the trail. After a bit the terrain changes and the trail enters the Florida dry prairie, an area of scrub palmetto and short oaks. 

The Florida Dry Prairie
on the trail

 Here the Red Shouldered Hawks, Eagles, and Kites soared overhead while the Black and White Sparrow, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Mockingbird, and other song birds entertained us at eye level.  Showy small flowers dotted the ground along with a few larger prairie offerings.

Bell-like flowers in the palmettos

Fetterbush(?) in Bloom
on the Dry Prairie

Not wanting a long walk we opted to return on the broader service roads which offer less shade but equally interesting views. It is amazing that we returned on my favorite roads Fox Low which meets Fox High at sharp angles (better slow down for the turn).

Fox Low Road

 Better yet, return to Fox High from Fox Low on the hiking trail that joins the two roads nearer the park road.  The narrower trail provides opportunity for additional photos and a relaxed return to 'society'.

Along the return trail that joins
Fox Low and Fox High roads

Early Spring at Myakka River State Park

Last week marked the second week of March and an excellent time for another visit to Alligator Point (pdf map) in Myakka River State Park.  The route starts on the park boundary road where we encountered a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers making a  home in a power pole.

Nest, look closely for the bird's head

After .8 miles you find Alligator Point, a peaceful and relaxing bend in the river.  From there we continued down the road to the first power line and followed an old trail

Powerline 'trail'

to the river where we could walk along the shore line.  

Myakka River, marsh view

Marsh flowers

Orange Blossoms from an old orchard

Following an occasional animal trail we traversed the marsh and back through the woods to the main road.  

Following the animal trails

But what I most wanted to share were the wonderful spring flowers.

But watch for the 

poison ivy in bloom

Jiggs Landing, a Manatee County Park

Always seeking a side trip we stopped by a Manatee County park named Jiggs Landing on our return from the Linger Lodge. Parks are always a delightful surprise whether you find a swing, boat ramp, or a waterfall. Jiggs Landing was no exception.

Jiggs Landing on the Braden River

Manatee County acquired the land as a water shed and restored (as much as possible) the area to the 1950 version of Jiggs Landing which teamed with fish and wildlife. 

Now Jiggs was Alphonso “Jiggs” Metcalf who with his wife, Agnes, developed this neck of the Braden River.  They acquired the land in 1944 to build a fishing camp with a dock, boat launch, store, cafe, and cabins. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jiggsmaggie.jpg 

They must have been characters as Al and Agnes adopted the nicknames for themselves, Jiggs and Maggie, from the "Bringing Up Father" comic strip popular in the 1940s.

Mallard enjoying Jiggs Landing

We spent an hour or so touring the park, reading the kiosks, and absorbing the views of the river, the boardwalk, and nature.  It was a peaceful time on the bend in the river viewing the water, water fowl, and songbirds. 

Yellow Rumped Warbler

The spot was so peaceful and memorable that it inspired a new song... which I believe relates Al (Jiggs) and Agnes (Maggie) and their dream.

Turtle at Jiggs Landing

Jiggs and Maggie 

(c) Marg Chauvin, 2014

(Chorus which repeats after each verse)

Jiggs and Maggie made a fish camp

In 1945

They preserved a bit of Florida

And kept their dreams alive

They explored Manatee County

For a place wild and free

A bend in the Branden River

Beckoned them to stay

So, they cleared seven acres

Then settled with the bank

Jiggs, he built a sturdy cabin

10 by 20 feet

This little cabin had a no kitchen

No bathroom too

By 1950 there was plumbing

Maggie had painted it blue

Now Jiggs built three more cabins

The porches were screened

Maggie made them pastel colors

For guests to rent

People came from all around

To this rustic camp

Snow birds, locals, families, fishers

Seeking a retreat

After 60 years it became

A Manatee County park

This little landmark known as

Jiggs Landing

Yes, Jiggs and Maggie built a fish camp

In 1945

They preserved a bit of Florida

And kept their dreams alive

Paddling the Braden River and Linger Lodge

In late February a several Myakka River State Park Volunteers took a paddle on the Braden River. Our launch point was the Linger Lodge which boasts a campground, RV park, canoe/kayak launch, and a fine restaurant. Every since arriving in the area we had heard, “You must visit the Linger Lodge.” Thus it took little persuasion from Ellen and Dave to make this trip. 

Five of us set in on a slightly overcast but warm day, the aforementioned Ellen and Dave along with Tom in kayaks and Bill and I in our trusty canoe. It was a nice 4-5 mile paddle along the gently moving river which revealed the typical southwest Florida scenery of oaks, marshes, wading birds, and a few homes.

From Linger Lodge website

At the conclusion of this trip we dined at the lodge. Luckily we returned around 11:15 AM and ready by 11:30 when they opened because the lodge was packed by 11:50 AM. The menu revealed the typicalsouthwest Florida selection and then some: local fish, gator stew, seafood gumbo, soup, salads, burgers, home-made potato chips, and sweet tea. Of course there were items created specifically for the lodge.  

I should mention the Road-Kill Menu which is presented with a straight face but upon reading the menu you quickly realize this is all in jest.  The menu was a result of the first owner's love of the unusual and the taxidermy collection.

From Linger Lodge website

A little history on the lodge: 

Linger Lodge began as a campground in 1945. Frank and Elaine Gamsky came down from Milwaukee, Wisconsin with their family and purchased Linger Lodge in 1968. The Lodge features a few rare and unusual "Florida Animals" among its collection. The Jackalope sits in its case not far from a Blue Billed Ortholock. The Alaskan Fur Fish is also on display. Frank was an avid animal lover, and promotes the protection of animals as one of our most important natural resources.

The ambiance matches the food and service... excellent. So take the advice we were given, “You must visit the Linger Lodge.”