Deep Hole is best known for its quantity of alligators, and I have seen over 200 on its shores in the past. Last Sunday was a quieter day, overcast and cool, and only a few of our reptilian friends were on the shores, between 20 and 40. But the pot continues to be beautiful and […]
Newsletter Posts
Sandhill St. John’s-Wort (Hypericum tenuifolium)
Commonly known as Sandhill St. John’s-Wort or Low St. John’s-Wort, this species is a testament to the evolutionary brilliance of Florida’s upland flora. While many members of the Hypericum genus prefer the soggy margins of cypress domes or wet prairies, H. tenuifolium has carved out a niche in the most well-drained, sun-scorched soils the Sunshine […]
Patrick at Deep Hole
Sword Fern (Nephrolepis)
The genus Nephrolepis, commonly known as the sword fern or Boston fern, is a staple of Florida’s landscape. Yet, within this single genus lies a dramatic contrast: a beloved native species providing critical habitat, and an aggressive, “tuberous” imposter that is systematically dismantling local ecosystems. Understanding the Sword Fern in Florida requires peeling back the […]
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
While the “Sunshine State” is often associated with coastal herons and swamp-dwelling egrets, the Eastern Meadowlark represents a different side of Florida: the vast, open interior. From the historical “Florida Dry Prairie” to modern-day sod farms, this striking icterid—a member of the blackbird family—has carved out a niche in a state rapidly losing its open […]
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
The Snowy Egret is a medium-sized heron, easily recognized by its pure white feathers and contrasting black bill and legs. Their yellow eyes and feet add a splash of color, making them one of the most visually striking birds in Florida. Measuring about 24 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 41 inches, […]
Rita at the Big Pool
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
The Great Egret, also known as the Common Egret or Great White Heron, is a large, stately bird that is easily recognizable by its pristine white feathers, long black legs, and yellow bill. Measuring about 39 inches in height with a wingspan that can exceed 51 inches, the Great Egret exudes an air of grandeur […]
Rita on Anastasia Beach Image
A wonderful hard-sand, flat beach in St. Augustine where you can ride bikes for miles.
Royal Terns (Thalasseus maximus)
Standing on the quartz-white sands of Siesta Key or watching the sunset over Sarasota Bay, one cannot miss the loud, rhythmic “keary-keary” calls of the Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus). With their shaggy black crests and dagger-like orange bills, these birds are as much a fixture of the Sarasota landscape as the palm trees and the […]
Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a place where time seems to have folded in on itself. As the largest and southernmost of Georgia’s Golden Isles, it offers a rare glimpse into a coastal wilderness that has largely escaped the high-rise sprawl characterizing much of the American Atlantic seaboard. Accessible only by boat, the island is a […]
Steve’s McCurdy’s Comedy Debut
Nerve-wracking, but fun… https://youtu.be/NVjIUodJYIU?si=0ITBdJ7OJGKJS7Id
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
The Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a small songbird that, at first glance, doesn’t seem to fit the typical mold of a Florida resident. With its distinctive black and white plumage, golden nape, and unique “bubbling” song, the Bobolink is more commonly associated with the lush meadows and prairies of the Midwest and Northeast. Yet, every […]
Okefenokee Swamp
The Okefenokee Swamp is a truly remarkable and enigmatic natural wonder. Spanning over 400,000 acres, it is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in the United States, and it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its outstanding natural and cultural significance. As I’ve explored this captivating landscape over the years, I’ve been […]
The Alligator Farm in St. Augustine
The Alligator Farm, as it’s affectionately known by locals, has been a beloved institution in St. Augustine for well over a century. Established in 1893, it is one of the oldest continuously operating alligator farms in the United States, and it has evolved over the decades to become a premier zoological and educational facility, attracting […]
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)
The Sandhill Crane is a large, statuesque bird, standing nearly four feet tall with a wingspan that can exceed six feet. Their grayish plumage, often tinged with a rusty hue from preening with iron-rich mud, is complemented by a striking red crown and a long, slender neck. These cranes possess an air of grace and […]
Bird Mandala Show at Sarasota Audubon Nature Center
Please go visit Sarasota Audubon’s Nature Center at Celery Fields and see my bird mandalas — they will be up until the end of February (2026).
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
There are birds that announce themselves with song, birds that dazzle with color, and birds that move through the world like quiet auditors, taking careful stock of conditions before rendering judgment. The wood stork belongs firmly in the last category. It is not a bird of melody or flamboyance. It is a bird of thresholds—of […]
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)
Haven’t seen a limpkin? Surely you’ve heard her…In the middle of the day, she cries bloody murder! The Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is a bird that weaves an enchanting tale of natural history and cultural significance. With its haunting call, distinctive appearance, and unique behaviors, the Limpkin stands out as a symbol of the delicate interplay […]
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)
If you spend any amount of time in Florida with your eyes open and your ears unguarded, you will eventually encounter the boat-tailed grackle. You may first notice it as a sound rather than a sight—a metallic skree, a liquid creak, or what can only be described as a rusty gate being opened by a […]