Welcome Rain

I had been watching tensely as the dry days kept coming following our recent pine planting. I was cringing as the candles on the longleaf seedlings wilted in the heat. I was afraid we were going to lose significant numbers of trees. Fortunately, the recent rains have provided some much needed moisture and relief from the heat. Most of the pines are perky and happily soaking up every last drop the sky lets loose on them.

The wetlands are filled to capacity again and water is still overflowing Buttonbush pond to the sinkhole complex (pictured above). The frogs are in heaven. The cacophony of courting following the first really significant deluge was nearly deafening. I heard way too many non native Cuban tree frogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) and a few greenhouse frogs (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in the mix but, was pleased to hear competing choruses from southern toads (Bufo terrestris) and a few green tree frogs (Hyla cinerea). I really need to buff up on my frog calls to better determine the diversity our anuran residents. Check out the Frog Listening Network to beef up your own skills and take part in citizen science network of collecting data.

Find out more about Florida frogs and toads at this UF Wildlife Extension page

Pleasant Surprise

Retrieving a trash can lid tossed in the woods during the recent blow; I came across this little guy quite comfortable underneath. A first wild find for me, this is a pine woods snake Rhadinaea flavilata. Found in moist pinelands and hardwood wetlands (this one was in the wet Flatwoods near the sinkhole), they are common in central Florida. Smaller more isolated populations of this reptile, impacted by habitat destruction, are in imperiled status in other states. Although listed as non venomous, they are actually rear fanged and have what one site termed “slightly venomous saliva”. They are egg layers and the adults reach about 10-13 inches in length like the one pictured here. One more “made my day” moment courtesy the Back Woods.

MOSI Wildfire Video

Tampa Fire Rescue copy: On 3/14/09 about 1340 hrs TFR units responded to a brush fire in the wooded area behind the Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E Fowler Avenue. On scene fire crews reported smoke coming from the woods about 100 feet into the tree line, they estimated about 2 acres to be burning. It took about 90 minutes to bring the fire under control, no injuries were reported.

An Investigator from the Tampa Fire Marshals Office is on scene looking into the fire cause.

Fire crews worked quickly to make sure the flames did not interrupt the Renaissance Festival occurring at the edge of the woods. Some smoke went into the festival area, there was no interruption to the festival or MOSI.

After fire crews used brush trucks to access the burning area and knock down the fire a tractor from the Division of Forestry arrived on scene to cut a fire break around the burnt area. Nearly 3 acres burnt.

About 8 firefighting units from Tampa, Temple Terrace, the Division of Forestry and Hillsborough County were on scene.

Wildfire in the Back Woods

Got a call this afternoon around 2pm from my boss telling me there was a wildfire in the Back Woods. Local fire departments were already on scene and working to cut fence and get hose and people into the fire by the time I received the call. Dashing out to the woods as fast as the gator would carry me; I was able to capture a few photos of some active fire at the end of the event and before the local FD asked me to leave. The big palmetto is on the north side of the big sink hole.The composite shot is from the center of the big sink hole. The Division of Forestry was on hand at the end of the day to help with the mop up and put a plow line in around the fire to prevent it from spreading from the containment area from any flame-ups tonight or tomorrow. Needless to say we have some fairly significant damage from the plow lines. Volunteers will be needed to do some plow line restoration. Interested? Email me!