Thursday, December 25, 2014

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

5 comments:

  1. Reminds me of the first time I was at Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan... black squirrels! First time in my life I'd seen those critters... guess that was in the late 60's or early 70's. So far, haven't seen the white ones yet. But we sure saw some strange combinations of colors in Costa Rica. Hope the rain lets us... but just think... it could have been snow!

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    1. We've been told there is a white deer in the park too but we haven't seen it.

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  2. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

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    1. Same to y'all (and little Rachel too!).
      I hope everyone is doing well.

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  3. Guess Santa needed a row boat to get to your house. :)

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