Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

On May 15th Lake Louisa State Park will be the place to go!

The annual Nature Fest will take place!

The day’s activities and events will include guided nature walks for all ages, including discovery treks and butterfly walks, “Trucking the Trails”, beginning and moderate birding, and photographing nature.  Also included at Nature Fest are a variety of children’s activities as well as live bat and bird of prey presentations.  Refreshments will also be available for purchase at Nature Fest.

Pre-event adult-only (16 year-old age minimum) 2-hour guided bird and photographing nature walks will begin at 8:00am.  Both walks require pre-registration.  Space is limited, so please call 352-394-3969 to register (registration is on a first-call, first served basis and will close at 5:00pm on Friday, May 14, 2010).

Guided walks for all ages will be held throughout the day.  Sign-up will begin at 10:00am the day of the event.  Times for walks, talks, and rides are as follows (times and events subject to change):

10:15    Discovery Trek
10:20    Beginner Birding
10:25    Moderate Birding
10:30    Butterflies (ADA accessible)
10:40    Photographing Nature
11:00    “Truck the Trail”
11:30    Bat Chat
12:00    Discovery Trek
12:10    Beginner Birding
12:15    Moderate Birding
12:20    Butterflies (ADA accessible)
12:25    Photographing Nature
1:00    Bat Chat

Admission to Nature Fest is included in the regular park admission fee of $5 per vehicle (up to 8 people per vehicle, with each additional person incurring a fee of $2).  CLICK HERE for directions to Lake Louisa State Park.

More info on the LLSP Website.

The meeting was very well attended – though some fell victim to Christmas stress and Flu!
Nevertheless – 22 Flicksters showed and experienced an interesting day at the Circle B Bar Reserve.

A bit hampered by very persistent fog – the day turned out to be beautiful after the sun burned the fog
away. And breathtaking sights to be seen. Thousands of Pelicans swooping in, congregating at the West Marsh
and on the Lake, flying forth and back.

Some impressions here.

Some info for those who haven’t been at Circle B yet. When coming via the Polk Parkway to 540  – the Reserve will be at your left, to your right, when arriving via Hwy 98.
Shortly after you enter you will see a couple of parking spaces to your right – which are the closest ones to the West Marsh – where most of the Flicksters can be found in the early morning. If all spaces are occupied drive further to the main parking lot at the Nature Center.
From there take the trail behind the Rain Huts and turn right.  Take the next left at the intersection towards the open area. You run into the intersection Alligator Alley (left) and Marsh Rabbit Run (right). Turn right and you walk towards the West Marsh.
Keep your eyes up – most likely you will see the Pelicans flying towards Lake Hancock in the east.

Here’s what the Weather people say for the date of our Flickr meet in Lakeland:

(Not perfect – but not too bad either)

In time for the next Flickr Meetup – we’re happy to report that they are back. At – what turned out to be a mini Flickr
meeting at the Circle B Bar Reserve we were privileged enough to see the arrival of the first big flock of American
White Pelicans. Several hundred of them swooped in around noon. So there you have it!
Here’s who was there: Scott Helfrich, Fastball95, Shutterbugdan, Gary Defeyter, Klaus and Donny Thompson.

So it’s looking great for December 13th – the next Flickr Meetup! Stay tuned!