(Formerly) Traveling the Country in a Converted Camper Van. Now living and exploring in Tampa Bay, Florida.
A little bit of Cold War history right here in St Pete. The Tampa Bay area has always been associated with war and the military. It was subject to a blockade and naval bombardment during the Civil War, it was the primary shipping point for American troops in the Spanish-American War, and it was the More Florida History: The Pinellas Plant Nuclear Facility
It s the heart of the Florida rainy season, so it s been thunderbooming every afternoon for the past two weeks. But I ve been able to dash out for a quick walk every once in a while, so here are some Florida critters seen and photo d recently. Swallowtail Kite. There s a nesting pair of these that return More Some Critters
Like most other zoos, the Zoo Tampa offers behind-the-scenes animal encounters as an upgrade. I ve already done several of them: tortoises, penguins, elephants. Recently I did the Clouded Leopard encounter. We get taken backstage to the off-exhibit leopard areas, where we are given a short talk about conservation and then help make a series of More Zoo Tampa Clouded Leopard Encounter
As some of you may remember, I have kept a wide variety of critters over the years I used to have a Florida Permit to Exhibit and did live animal shows for school classes and scout troops, so I have kept well over 100 different species of snake, lizard, turtle, frog, salamander, scorpion, cockroach, and spider. More My New Pet
Originally set up as a farm in 1700, this plot of land became an arboretum for the Peirce family. In 1906, Pierre du Pont purchased it and converted it into a summer retreat and garden. Today Longwood Gardens has over 1000 acres and a million visitors per year. Some photos from a visit.
We ve had an awful lot of rain here lately. We really needed it we ve been under drought conditions for a while now but I sure do hate being cooped up inside for days at a time. But I managed to get out in between thunderboomies and get a couple of shots. Great Egret Sunshine Mimosa Tilapia A More Some Florida Critters
This amusement park has rides and food. The park opened in 1926 and is celebrating its 200th year. It s one of the few remaining parks with free admission (you pay for each ride you take). I m not really a ride person, but I like the bison burgers and the gator nuggets. Some photos from a More Kenobles Amusement Park, PA
A few Florida birds and beasts seen lately. A juvie Little Blue Heron. The youngsters are white and turn blue as adults. Mom Limpkin and Junior Google puts this as a Four-Spotted Pennant dragonfly This squirrel wanted some of my lunch The Brown Anole lizards here are a genetic mishmash of five or six different More Some Critters Seen Recently
This limestone cavern was discovered in 1871 by some miners who were blasting in the area. The property was bought by Samuel Kohler, who began organized tours inside the cave. Since then, it has been modified by adding walkways, electric lights, a cement floor, and a new entrance-way. Today it is one of the oldest More Crystal Cave, PA
Busch Gardens is an odd cross between a zoo and an amusement park. But the local Florida wildlife also likes the naturalistic landscape, and a lot of the locals have moved in and made themselves at home. Some photos. The favorite spot for the wildlife is this pond in the African plains exhibit. The local More Some Florida Natives at Busch Gardens