 This is the trailhead where I connected with the Florida Trail  The intersection with the Rattlesnake Lake Blue Blazed trail  K.C. with his backpack  Taking off a load…Home Sweet Home  Home sweet home and Friday p.m. twilight As I was going to bear bag on Friday evening a full mature bald eagle took off from a roosting spot along the lake and flew off into the twilight. The FTA site is secluded and rarely used. It sets on a ridge between Rattlesnake Lake and I believe the pond's name is Grassy Pond. The site is a thing of beauty beneath the Spanish moss along the oak ridge. There was a noisy group across the lake but they were very distant but their voices and music occasionally carried across the water. Linda, from the trail association joined me at the site around 9:00pm on Friday. I had almost given up on her when I noticed her LED light across the water to my East. I could tell it was a backpacker's light and not one of the group from the group camp from a distance.  Bears have not traditionally been much of a problem to hikers in Florida. Many hikers do not bother with bear precautions in Florida. Rattlesnake Lake is black bear habitat. Regardless of bears or not I make a habit of bear bagging religiously as I find it also protects me from raccoons, mice, possums and any little critter trying to get to my smellies… I thought this limb was plenty sturdy to hold my bear bag but during the night it broke off dumping my goods (Next Photo) on the ground. Luckily nothing bothered them.  I love the Spanish moss laden oaks in the previous photo  Along the Florida Trail   This appears to be a Cope’s Tree Frog  Bird Nest  Yaupon Berries  Maiden Hair Ferns…This stream made for an excellent lunch stop on Saturday.  This appears to be a gopher tortoise hole. The tortoise(endangered) will dig these burrows and they provide habitat for numerous animals including the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. Due to the popularity of rattlesnake rodeos and the products made from the skins of these snakes and the bad reputation of the animal they are disappearing from their habitat. I have not seen a wild one in about ten years. Snake hunters will pour gas down the holes to force the snakes out for capture. The process destroys the habitat as no animal can then reside in the burrow.  Sunday Morning Sunrise on Rattlesnake Lake  A photo of a bend along beautiful Econfina Creek from atop a bluff. Notice the Cypress tree in the center on the far bank.  I am not sure what kind of nest this had been. There are remnants of eggs around the hole. I found several of these nests today some much shallower. This nest appears to have been robbed by possibly a racoon.  Snake ahead on the trail   Some of you have never seen a black racer move. They move with incredible speed grace and beauty and effienciency of motion. They are a beautiful snake. --------------------------------------------------------
Friends are the best collectibles
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