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Alligators Paynes Prairie

Wildlife Encounters

Articles about our personal encounters with Florida wildlife.

Alligators Everywhere

La Chua gators

April 6, 2018    Sandra Friend

In spring, alligators become more active as the days warm up. It’s also mating season, so alligators are on the move. Expect to see them anywhere and everywhere along Florida’s trails.

Adding to the Life List

John photographs a liguus tree snail in Everglades National Park

July 21, 2015    John Keatley

Although John is a native Floridian, our research trip to South Florida became an opportunity for him to see many natural “firsts” in Florida that most people have on their life lists.

Summer at Corkscrew

Entering Corkscrew Strand on the boardwalk

June 21, 2015    Sandra Friend

There is a special magic surrounding a summer hike through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, where ghost orchids dance high above in the soft green canopy created by the ancient cypress protected here

Sea Turtle Walks in Florida

Green sea turtle nesting (FWC)

June 6, 2014    Sandra Friend

Watching a sea turtle come ashore to lay its eggs is an incredible experience. Here are some of the places where you can join sea turtle walks in Florida.

Eagle Eye View

Face-to-face with an eagle from the top of the Cape San Blas Lighthouse

May 25, 2014    Sandra Friend

An unexpected eye-to-eye encounter with a bald eagle from the top of the Cape San Blas Lighthouse in 2011, before it closed due to hurricane damage.

Do not feed the bears

Bear in a trash can (Florida Fish & Wildlife)

April 23, 2014    Sandra Friend

“A fed bear is a dead bear,” says Florida Fish & Wildlife. It’s time to make homeowners responsible for keeping trash and food out of reach when they live in bear territory.

Bear, There!

July 1, 2013    John Keatley

Last Monday, we decided to visit an area behind a familiar trailhead. Sandy had noticed the unlocked gate before, so we decided to check it out. The gate led us to a slightly worn path and then an old sugar sand road. Walking along I noticed small bear prints in the white sand. They were …

Seminole Reflections

November 30, 2012    Sandra Friend

Returning to the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation for the first time in a decade, I remember my visits of the past and celebrate the present with John with a panther sighting.

Bear encounter at Black Bear Wilderness

Three bears at Black Bear Wilderness

October 20, 2012    Sandra Friend

Visiting this Seminole County preserve for the first time, a string of excellent wildlife sightings culminates in seeing three bears at the trailhead.

Hiker Safety Around Wild Hogs

wild hog piglet

How-To in Florida      ( Feature Articles )      

One of the more fearless creatures you’ll encounter in Florida’s wilds is the wild hog. Here is advice from Florida Fish & Wildlife on how to cope with hogs.

Bear Safety in Florida

Florida Black Bear

How-To in Florida      ( Feature Articles )      

Tips from Florida Fish & Wildlife on how best to manage encounters with Florida black bears, which are becoming more common in certain parts of Florida.

Just Bearly

Florida black bear at Kelly Park

July 21, 2011    Sandra Friend

As I discovered later, bear sightings are common at Kelly Park. But this bear certainly surprised me at the end of my research hike for Five Star Trails Orlando.

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