Les Harrison is a longtime resident of north Florida, having attended public schools in three counties. He has a Bachelor Degree from the University of Florida in Journalism and a Master’s of Science from Auburn University in Agricultural Economics. He is the author of more than 2000 newspaper and magazine stories and journal articles. During his career, he held positions in private, government and educational (university level) sectors. He holds the title of Extension Agent Emeritus. He can be reached at harrison.gl@gmail.com.
Many of the native wildflowers in north Florida are a reflection of the season’s changing light levels, no matter what the thermometer reads. They are providing numerous fall colors and hues. One of the most common in panhandle Florida is Bidens alba. It is known by an assortment of common names including Spanish needles, Beggar’s-tick…Read more
The opportunity to see something truly rare and in relative proximity cannot be passed up. The October 14, 2023 annular eclipse was just such an event. This type of eclipse produces the “ring of fire”, not the midnight darkness of a total eclipse. The reason is the moon is at or very near its apogee…Read more
Despite the many negative statements about the 2023 hurricane season, at least it provided ample rain. Even this late in the year the moisture supports growth, but in late autumn the development usually takes place unseen below ground. That is not the case with native fungi species. The local mushrooms and toadstools appear overnight in…Read more
“Oh gracious, why wasn’t I born old and ugly,” said a Charles Dickens character in the 1841 serialized novel Barnaby Rudge. This is not an often-heard sentiment in the 21st century which is focused on youth and beauty. While this pronouncement is the complete opposite of contemporary culture, the statement does apply to some in…Read more
October brings the prospect of relief from the heat and humidity of a panhandle Florida summer. The temperatures have moderated, albeit slightly, alleviating some of the oppressive qualities of the daylight hours. The sun’s progression into the southern sky has lengthened the nights to the point where they have a majority of the minutes, and…Read more
“Gone to seed” is a distinctly American agricultural saying from the time when most of America’s population was living on a farm. This adage usually denotes very negative connotations when applied to people, places and many objects. The implication is the subject of the remark has reached terminal depreciation after delivering all they are capable…Read more
Now that temperatures outside are beginning to moderate in early autumn, there is more incentive to work in the landscape. There are plenty of tasks to engage in this time of year. There are leaves and pine straw to rake, the collection of pinecones and branches which have fallen, the removal of dying weeds which…Read more
As the days begin to shorten and cool, a few insects remain just as active as they did six months ago. All spend their days searching for the diminishing food supplies in preparation for the inevitable. Chief among these hardy six-legged creatures is European Honeybees. The social insects with a matriarchal home life are still…Read more
As the year progresses to its terminal date in about three months the landscape, in areas both domestic and wild, is beginning to take on subdued tones. Native wildflowers and flowering trees will soon begin their season of repose. The artificial holiday decorations which irradiate panhandle Florida with colors not found in nature are already…Read more
In literature and religion, colors have an implicit meaning. This allows the theme to be communicated subliminally to the well-read and visually to those who see the iconography. There are, of course, differences between cultures. White in the western world indicates purity, but it represents death in the far east. Green has been associated with…Read more
