Fall Wildflower Walk Showcases More Than Flowers

Bobcats & Jaeger & Deer, Oh My!
​(Wait—did you say "Jaeger"?)

Photo by Stephen Worthington: "It was wet and wonderful!"

The 2nd Annual Fall Wildflower Walk with Roger Hammer and Craig Huegel was held October 3rd in perfect weather conditions, and by all accounts was a big success. Naturally the flowers and blooming grasses were a hit, but event participants experienced so much more as they walked— sometimes waded—in the Florida prairie.
Enjoy some of the photos, experiences and comments shared with us - beyond the flowers: 
(Most images enlarge by clicking on them, and look for links!)

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Ann Wiley, Ft. Lauderdale: “Walking in the prairie was awesome, such a brilliant ecosystem.The buggy ride was fascinating. I learned so much about your burn practices which I am very interested in. It was really a great day. It refreshes the soul.”

Photo by Stephen Worthington, Crayfish

Stephen Worthington, Okeechobee: “This was the first creature to meet me on the day of the wildflower walk. Well, it was more like a challenge than a greeting.”

Photo by Stephen Worthington

Jan Allyn, Largo: “It was wonderful! Love the Prairie! The buggy ride was great, the grasses and wildflowers beautiful. Dr. Paul Gray's intro was very informative. Craig and Roger were great guides, very personable. Providing everybody a checklist of wildflower species was a great idea. I cannot wait for the spring walk! Wildlife we saw: black snake, kestrel, loggerhead shrike, white-tailed deer, turkeys, caracaras, lynx spider, red-shouldered hawk, white ibis, common egret.”

Photo by Jan Allyn
Lopsided Indiangrass

Photo by Jan Allyn (click on it!)
​Green Lynx Spider

Barbara and Jim Dina, Dunedin: The lucky Dinas saw a bobcat on the road as they drove into Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, and Barb captured photos of it with her cell phone! They also saw an otter. Barb shared this fascinating image of a nearly complete snake skeleton found during their stay in the Preserve for the Wildflower Walks.

Paul Strauss, Stuart: “As an IFAS Master Naturalist and long-time Florida Park Service volunteer, there are only a few can't-miss events for me during the year. Roger & Craig's Wildflower Walks at KPPSP is one. These two are not stiff ivy-league professors, but passionate & colorful advocates for the amazing array of wildflowers & natural communities found in Florida. Whether a seasoned naturalist or first-time visitor, everyone walks away well-informed and entertained. Don't miss the next opportunity to spend a morning or afternoon walking among vibrant red pine lilies, magenta blazing stars, purple drum-heads and delicate marsh pinks. You'll come back—and back again.”

Photo of Roger Hammer at Kissimmee Prairie by Paul Strauss

Roger Hammer, Walk Co-leader: "That was a swell time at the prairie. I got this picture (below) with my 105mm macro lens!"

Photo by Roger Hammer
​Crested Caracara

What was that about a Jaeger? Isn't that a pelagic bird? Why, yes it is. Strong winds and stormy weather the night before the Wildflower Walks blew a Parasitic Jaeger off course and right into the prairie. The exhausted bird was found along the road by Florida Audubon scientist and Friends' board member, Dr. Paul Gray, as he drove in that morning. The 9:30 a.m. Wildflower Walk participants were able to get a peek at this rare bird during Paul's introduction, before Preserve staff transported it to Arnold's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Okeechobee (where it was able to recover and fly away). You never know what you might see at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve!

Photo by Paul Gray

Photo by Stephen Worthington

Stay tuned for the date of our Spring Wildflower Walk event!
And if you aren't a member yet, please join us!