Modified 11-Jun-13
Created 25-Mar-09
47 photos
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June 9th, 2013:
A Zoo Day! Dear old Mom doesn't do wilderness like she used to so I rented the "scooter" and we toured the Lowery Zoo at Tampa to spend some time before the plane home.
Lowery Zoo is just off of SR275 at Sligh Ave and on the way to TPA. Generous handicapped parking and related facilities make this a place to consider for the elder or otherwise handicapped visitor.
The exhibits are often grouped which saves walking and allows choices near each display.
A bit on short, on the expensive to maintain, big cats - the zoo has tigers, a cloud leopards and a yet, to be seen, cheetah.
The black bear was a character worth the entire price of admission. You could see that the young bear was happy in it's environs and did everything to entertain the crowd and itself.
The new baby elephant was a joy to watch. The entire visit was full of highlights to enjoy and worth a visit for support of the zoo.
http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/
May 30th, 2013:
I recall several discussions ,with Jim Wiemer biologist at Paynes Prairie, regarding bear sightings by visitors. He was of the opinion that black bears may traverse the prairie but didn't live there.
I think I may have had an answer that "jumped on" the word "Prairie" because much of the non-"prairie" terrain is similar to that which surrounds areas where I routinely see bears or bear sign.
The following FWC Report (5/2013} adds to the "lives there" part of the discussion:
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has received several calls about a black bear in the southern Gainesville area.
FWC biologists have responded several times to this bear during the past week.
“At this point, we’re not planning to trap this bear,” said Eric Dennis, FWC wildlife assistance biologist. “We want to use aversive conditioning such as bean bags fired from shotguns and paint ball pellets to let the bear know that being around people isn’t a pleasant experience.”
This bear isn’t returning to one particular place, so putting out a culvert trap would be ineffective.
The most important thing to remember is, do not entice the bear with food.
“Problems arise when bears have access to unnatural food sources such as pet foods, garbage, barbecue grills, birdseed or livestock feed,” Dennis said. “Bears learn very quickly to associate peoples’ property with food, and this puts the bear at increased risk because of traffic, poaching or management action.”
Black bears normally are too shy to risk contact with humans, but their strong food drive can overwhelm these instincts. Residents can help this bear “move on, ” so it does not become a problem.
“We’re hoping that if people remove the attractants, the bear will return to Paynes Prairie,” Dennis said.
OK Big Deal! There are bears on the Paynes Prairie Property. It's something you should know about and I quickly add that in nine years on the prairie I've not seen one -others have reported sighting a bear.
Black bears are all most passive in their human encounters so here's the FWC article on "Living with Bears." It has been an excellent piece to inform and tell you how to handle yourself.
I doubt that you could see a bear because of their extraordinary hearing and ingrained need to avoid people. "homework" is still valuable! Give it a read!!!
myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/black-bears/
( You may have to "cut and paste" the link into your browser)
Our experience with the bears that "visit" the backyard also shows what little amount of "resources" it takes to habituate the bear to seek food in your backyard.
The episode started with loss of a few suet cakes before we realized the "size and the problem!" I though those woodpeckers couldn't eat that much suet!!!
Remove the suet and leave black oil sunflower seed and Barney Bear kept coming back despite the dog, lights and camera. That's it! He loved the camera and his internet notoriety!!
My October Checklist contains several entries about removing ALL food sources from the backyard.
Birds can fly high .... so will my bird-feeders!!
May 22nd, 2013 Captioning, edit the photos and posting to the site appears to soak-up the time available from the Trail Report.
The number of things that you get involved in is an ever increasing topic! So much for boredom in retirement!!
The April 2013 follow-up piece, by Channel 20, just came to my attention The topic was the Paynes Prairie Bison -One Year Later!
http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2013/04/paynes-prairie-bison-one-year-later
It was a rather shallow article with limited facts and then only as presented by the Florida "Dark Service" Manager and his contractor.
Laughable!! was the phone conformation and acceptance of the four "sanctuaries" { also known as members of the meat industry!} assurances that all the animals were still well!!
The video offered a fluff statement by Jowers, which cited the previously presented propaganda, and a year old interview with Jere Herrington for a "fair presentation" of the other side.
I'll not go to the previous - but point out the revelations that 54 bison remain on The Prairie. a total "removal" number is stated as "26 Paynes Prairie Bison." Only the 6 Bulls were to be removed now we hear that cows were included.
The stated "number of bison re-released" was given by several sources as 66 animals. The same sources stated that 6 bulls were sent to Hajo's "farm." My guesstimation, at the time, was that 70-72 bison were on the prairie. Shell game?
http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2013/04/paynes-prairie-bison-one-year-later
The article offers first mention of 26 bison "removed" ... less 6 bulls? = 20? cows that were "given?" to someone!
Hajo's "won" a bid at $365.00 for each bison "Corralled." The next closest bid was around $2000.00. Two bidders withdrew from the pre-bid process when it was learned that no cows were included in the "removal."
Bison bulls are currently selling for $2500.00 to $4500.00. Heifers are $1500.00 and cows run from $1000.00 to 2000.00 {search want to sell bison.}
The point is did we give away the proverbial store?? Show me the accounting for the bison"removal" operation. Show me the money!
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by several agencies to "remove" and there is the lost profit, from the bison, ( and the Heritage Horses!) with little or no public accounting.
Let's hear the justification from the "underfunded" Florida "Dark" Service Managers for such largess!
Other than that things are just wonderful on Paynes Prairie! Just like the "Florida Dark Service Managers" spin the tale that they tell us!
Let's consolidate the 27 agencies that protect us and the prairie ...so that it's run for the public and not the comfort of the bureaucracy!
The Summer's Heat is just around the corner. We adjust our ventures into the fields and forests to avoid the furnace and the insects that follow.
The "Backyard Bear" has learned to avoid the infrared camera but continues to set off the dog about two or three nights a week!
I set up a new folder to separate the bear's antics from the rest of the site. Barney will appear in Latest Additions and then move to his corner of the world.
I met a fella whose dog was set out after a bear ....which leads me to repeat my warning Do not let your dog out if a bear wanders into your yard. It was very expensive and painful.
I found two herds of Ankoli-Wattusi cattle on the way to Saint Augustine. The animals have outrageously long horns and are quite a sight to see.
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/ankolewatusi/index.htm
One herd is mixed with other loooong horns on CR315 just North of the bend above Orange Springs { 29.518743, -81.932775. } The other is East of Spuds on SR207 { 29.762626, -81.459548. }
The Indian Lake State Park has been "open" for about a month. A tour of the ground on Monday offered evidence that {unfortunately} it has been discovered!
The various forms of hydration from spring water to beer left their mark alongside the trail. Joined by wrappers of various foods from McD's to Trail Bars!
Remind your fellow travelers about that "leave only footprints" slogan!!
See you on the trails!
June 9th, 2013:
A Zoo Day! Dear old Mom doesn't do wilderness like she used to so I rented the "scooter" and we toured the Lowery Zoo at Tampa to spend some time before the plane home.
Lowery Zoo is just off of SR275 at Sligh Ave and on the way to TPA. Generous handicapped parking and related facilities make this a place to consider for the elder or otherwise handicapped visitor.
The exhibits are often grouped which saves walking and allows choices near each display.
A bit on short, on the expensive to maintain, big cats - the zoo has tigers, a cloud leopards and a yet, to be seen, cheetah.
The black bear was a character worth the entire price of admission. You could see that the young bear was happy in it's environs and did everything to entertain the crowd and itself.
The new baby elephant was a joy to watch. The entire visit was full of highlights to enjoy and worth a visit for support of the zoo.
http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/
May 30th, 2013:
I recall several discussions ,with Jim Wiemer biologist at Paynes Prairie, regarding bear sightings by visitors. He was of the opinion that black bears may traverse the prairie but didn't live there.
I think I may have had an answer that "jumped on" the word "Prairie" because much of the non-"prairie" terrain is similar to that which surrounds areas where I routinely see bears or bear sign.
The following FWC Report (5/2013} adds to the "lives there" part of the discussion:
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has received several calls about a black bear in the southern Gainesville area.
FWC biologists have responded several times to this bear during the past week.
“At this point, we’re not planning to trap this bear,” said Eric Dennis, FWC wildlife assistance biologist. “We want to use aversive conditioning such as bean bags fired from shotguns and paint ball pellets to let the bear know that being around people isn’t a pleasant experience.”
This bear isn’t returning to one particular place, so putting out a culvert trap would be ineffective.
The most important thing to remember is, do not entice the bear with food.
“Problems arise when bears have access to unnatural food sources such as pet foods, garbage, barbecue grills, birdseed or livestock feed,” Dennis said. “Bears learn very quickly to associate peoples’ property with food, and this puts the bear at increased risk because of traffic, poaching or management action.”
Black bears normally are too shy to risk contact with humans, but their strong food drive can overwhelm these instincts. Residents can help this bear “move on, ” so it does not become a problem.
“We’re hoping that if people remove the attractants, the bear will return to Paynes Prairie,” Dennis said.
OK Big Deal! There are bears on the Paynes Prairie Property. It's something you should know about and I quickly add that in nine years on the prairie I've not seen one -others have reported sighting a bear.
Black bears are all most passive in their human encounters so here's the FWC article on "Living with Bears." It has been an excellent piece to inform and tell you how to handle yourself.
I doubt that you could see a bear because of their extraordinary hearing and ingrained need to avoid people. "homework" is still valuable! Give it a read!!!
myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/black-bears/
( You may have to "cut and paste" the link into your browser)
Our experience with the bears that "visit" the backyard also shows what little amount of "resources" it takes to habituate the bear to seek food in your backyard.
The episode started with loss of a few suet cakes before we realized the "size and the problem!" I though those woodpeckers couldn't eat that much suet!!!
Remove the suet and leave black oil sunflower seed and Barney Bear kept coming back despite the dog, lights and camera. That's it! He loved the camera and his internet notoriety!!
My October Checklist contains several entries about removing ALL food sources from the backyard.
Birds can fly high .... so will my bird-feeders!!
May 22nd, 2013 Captioning, edit the photos and posting to the site appears to soak-up the time available from the Trail Report.
The number of things that you get involved in is an ever increasing topic! So much for boredom in retirement!!
The April 2013 follow-up piece, by Channel 20, just came to my attention The topic was the Paynes Prairie Bison -One Year Later!
http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2013/04/paynes-prairie-bison-one-year-later
It was a rather shallow article with limited facts and then only as presented by the Florida "Dark Service" Manager and his contractor.
Laughable!! was the phone conformation and acceptance of the four "sanctuaries" { also known as members of the meat industry!} assurances that all the animals were still well!!
The video offered a fluff statement by Jowers, which cited the previously presented propaganda, and a year old interview with Jere Herrington for a "fair presentation" of the other side.
I'll not go to the previous - but point out the revelations that 54 bison remain on The Prairie. a total "removal" number is stated as "26 Paynes Prairie Bison." Only the 6 Bulls were to be removed now we hear that cows were included.
The stated "number of bison re-released" was given by several sources as 66 animals. The same sources stated that 6 bulls were sent to Hajo's "farm." My guesstimation, at the time, was that 70-72 bison were on the prairie. Shell game?
http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2013/04/paynes-prairie-bison-one-year-later
The article offers first mention of 26 bison "removed" ... less 6 bulls? = 20? cows that were "given?" to someone!
Hajo's "won" a bid at $365.00 for each bison "Corralled." The next closest bid was around $2000.00. Two bidders withdrew from the pre-bid process when it was learned that no cows were included in the "removal."
Bison bulls are currently selling for $2500.00 to $4500.00. Heifers are $1500.00 and cows run from $1000.00 to 2000.00 {search want to sell bison.}
The point is did we give away the proverbial store?? Show me the accounting for the bison"removal" operation. Show me the money!
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by several agencies to "remove" and there is the lost profit, from the bison, ( and the Heritage Horses!) with little or no public accounting.
Let's hear the justification from the "underfunded" Florida "Dark" Service Managers for such largess!
Other than that things are just wonderful on Paynes Prairie! Just like the "Florida Dark Service Managers" spin the tale that they tell us!
Let's consolidate the 27 agencies that protect us and the prairie ...so that it's run for the public and not the comfort of the bureaucracy!
The Summer's Heat is just around the corner. We adjust our ventures into the fields and forests to avoid the furnace and the insects that follow.
The "Backyard Bear" has learned to avoid the infrared camera but continues to set off the dog about two or three nights a week!
I set up a new folder to separate the bear's antics from the rest of the site. Barney will appear in Latest Additions and then move to his corner of the world.
I met a fella whose dog was set out after a bear ....which leads me to repeat my warning Do not let your dog out if a bear wanders into your yard. It was very expensive and painful.
I found two herds of Ankoli-Wattusi cattle on the way to Saint Augustine. The animals have outrageously long horns and are quite a sight to see.
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/ankolewatusi/index.htm
One herd is mixed with other loooong horns on CR315 just North of the bend above Orange Springs { 29.518743, -81.932775. } The other is East of Spuds on SR207 { 29.762626, -81.459548. }
The Indian Lake State Park has been "open" for about a month. A tour of the ground on Monday offered evidence that {unfortunately} it has been discovered!
The various forms of hydration from spring water to beer left their mark alongside the trail. Joined by wrappers of various foods from McD's to Trail Bars!
Remind your fellow travelers about that "leave only footprints" slogan!!
See you on the trails!
© Charles F. Littlewood