BAD BEES!

I was in Lake Mary, FL when I came across this hand written sign on the side of the road that read BAD BEES.

There was an arrow pointing across the street to a small wooded area, and although I think the sign may have been a warning, I was intrigued. I took a look around where the arrow was pointing and saw no bees. It was kind of disappointing that I didn't get to see these Bad Bees for myself.

I bet there is a good story that goes with this sign...

Miniature Train @ the Central Florida Zoo

The Central Florida Zoo in Sanford, FL has a miniature train that loops around the wooded area surrounding the parking lot. It's a cramped ride for adults, but I always enjoy taking the ride around anyway. Here are some pictures from my last visit to the zoo in 2006:

Backyard Turtle

I was outside the other day in my yard, and this turtle wandered by. I got my camera and took these pictures:





It was a little hard to tell since I'm not a turtle expert and his shell was covered in algae, but I am going to assume that this was a Florida Redbelly Cooter. Luckily, this turtle didn't end up in any swimming pools, and I didn't see it squished on any nearby roads, so hopefully it got to wherever it was going.

Speaking of turtles and other reptiles, check out this website. I probably spent at least an hour reading about many of Florida's reptiles that I've never come across.

American Bison in Florida

A few years ago, I came across this herd of American Bison on a farm somewhere northwest of Gainesville, FL. This particular herd was definitely domesticated, and I'm assuming these 'Buffalo' were being raised for meat.



I never knew this, but apparently there are some wild herds of bison living in Paynes Prairie State Park which were introduced from the American Midwest in the 1970s. That's even better than farm animals, but only without the barbed wire fence that might deter a bison from trampling you.
More about the wild bison.

Armadillo

I came across this armadillo searching for food in the grass along the Cross Seminole Trail in the Spring Hammock Preserve while going for a bike ride. Armadillos are very weird products of evolution with their furry feet and leathery shells...

Frogs After Fay...

As Tropical Storm Fay drenched Central Florida for hours and hours, many more frogs than usual started appearing all around thanks to all of the rain that the storm provided. This green frog found his way into a swimming pool...

This tiny tree frog took shelter from the storm in a garage, picking up all sorts of dust on it's moist skin.

And then there is this Cuban Tree Frog that found his way into my house during the storm. This one was a bit difficult to get back outside...

Hungry Squrrel...

Mayfair Fox Squirrel

Fox Squirrels are North America's largest tree dwelling squirrel. The first time I saw one, I questioned if it was really a squirrel and not another type of rodent due to it's large size. This picture was my first sighting of a Fox Squirrel at the Mayfair Golf Course in Sanford, FL. I've since seen several more of these animals, all within the same golf course.

Red-Tailed Hawk

I spotted this red-tailed hawk was sitting on a fence searching for food. It must have seen something because it swooped down into a grassy area before flying up into some trees with empty talons...

Hammerhead

I came across this shark carcass that washed up on shore at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida. This was the first wild hammerhead shark that I've seen, dead or alive. It looks like some kind of scavenger was nibbling on the dead shark around it's gills and stomach. The shark wasn't that big, but I suppose it's better to have something nibbling on on the dead shark rather than having the shark nibbling on your ankles while swimming...

Black Bear In the Ocala National Forest

Black Bear In the Ocala National Forest...

Florida's Wild Parrots

Florida has flocks of wild parrots flying in it's skys. These parrots aren't native to North America, and were most likely escaped pets that easily adapted to Florida's warm climate.

The parrots are black hooded parakeets...



For more, please follow this link:

LINK: Florida's Wild Parrots

Osprey Thunderbird?

Identify this bird! It looks like an osprey to me, only it is way too big! The picture was taken on from the temporary Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida. The bird was no more than ten feet away and stood at least three feet tall. Any clues?



Could large birds like this be the source of the thunderbird legends?

Storm Bats...

Several bats were flying around yesterday evening as a big storm was approaching. I'm not sure what type of bats they were. I don't really know how to identify bats by their silhouettes as they swoop by eating mosquitoes...