Rain, Rain, Go Away!!

We moved from Alabama to northern Florida just in time for a big line of storms to sweep across the area. We drove in rain that varied from sprinkles to torrential, but got lucky and arrived at Ochlockonee River State Park south of Tallahassee in only light rain. Once we got set up it started to pour and didn't let up for about 36 hours. This area received about 7 inches of rain over the two-day period, so it's wet!!

Ochlockonee State Park

The surrounding area is Longleaf Pine forest.  It is burned regularly to maintain the habitat, so the understory is restricted to low growing Palmetto and grasslands.

Longleaf Pine Forest

One of the more interesting things here is a population of Eastern Gray Squirrels that are white. They aren't albino, but their fur is lacking most or all of the normal pigment.

White Eastern Gray Squirrel

The park is bordered by the Ochlockonee and the Dead Rivers. They empty into Ochlockonee Bay, and are tidally influenced. We've seen the river running both ways, depending on if the tide is coming in or going out.

Ochlockonee River

The sun finally came out on Christmas Day and we've had a chance to explore a bit. It isn't real birdy here, but we've seen a few.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - male

Eastern Towhee - female

Belted Kingfisher - female

Moving south tomorrow!!

Mark