Barnacles are one of those frequently overlooked creatures until the oblivious swimmer or fisherman contacts their sharp and jagged outer shell. Related to crabs and lobsters, these animals are commonly found in shallow waters which advance and retreat with the tides. Barnacles affix themselves permanently to hard, dense objects, thereby encrusting their surface. This includes…Read more
Tag: Native Species
Predators With Good Reasons to Be Jumpy
Hunger and deprivation are excellent motivators, especially for panhandle Florida’s smallest residents. One such member of these native arthropods is the jumping spider. This salticid, a member of the Saltididae family, defies many of the commonly held perceptions of spiders. Jumping spiders actively hunt prey during the day and are often seen moving vigorously in…Read more
An Invading Army That Is Happy to Take Over the Garden
Chief among the developing caterpillar pests is the southern armyworm. This insect is native to the warmer regions of both American continents. About 30 to 40 days on average are required for a complete generation, with environmental factors restraining even more reproduction. In northern Florida moths which produce this caterpillar can be found throughout the…Read more
Ancient Stars of the Sea
With the return of warmer weather, the focus of outdoor activities is shifting to pursuits where the partakers can maintain a personally comfortable temperature. So logically this means taking advantage of the local water resources. Panhandle Florida has a wealth of aquatic assets which can be enjoyed all year long, but spring and summer provide…Read more
A Tiny Pest With a Big Appetite
As contrite and well-worn as the statement is, springtime is truly the season of renewal and rebirth. The warming temperatures and ample rain have grass growing, birds singing, and shrubs blooming. Most area residents are leaving their homes and returning to the outside activities which make panhandle Florida so attractive to citizens and visitors alike….Read more
Cold Hardy Citrus in North Florida
Citrus has long been associated with Florida. A popular advertising slogan of the 1970s from the Florida Citrus Commission invited people to “come to the Florida sunshine tree…” because “breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.” The Florida citrus industry began in the northeastern region of the state along the St. Johns…Read more
Prickly Plant Pests Preventing Home Landscape Perfection
Given the warming weather, yardwork is a productive choice and provides the necessary space to stay safe. Keeping a well-groomed yard and home landscape requires regular clipping of the foliage, some of which voluntarily appeared. Unfortunately, some of the “volunteer greenery” which has recently emerged is quite difficult to control and nearly impossible to eradicate….Read more
A Plant That Loves to Just Hang Out
The basic needs, along with the luxuries, of contemporary living are accessed through a quick visit to local shops and big box retailers. Often forgotten is the frontier period with its more primitive life when, even here in panhandle Florida, human existence was not as pleasant as today. Rare is the modern person who takes…Read more
Another Sign of the Coming Warmer Days
The yo-yoing thermometer has many panhandle Florida residents in a state of seasonal confusion. Some want to know if we will have another visit from the dreaded Polar Vortex, the latest term for a dipping jet stream which will deliver colder temperatures. Others just want to know when warmer weather will be here to stay….Read more
Skydiving Fit for a King
Deer hunting techniques vary by preference of the hunter, along with state and federal regulations. The most frequently used method is still-hunting from a tree stand or elevated perch. Properly placed, the aerial platform provides a convenient and low exertion way to procure venison and a brag-worthy antler rack. While the tree stand may seem…Read more