Modified 2-Feb-12
Created 25-Mar-09
66 photos
Scroll to the bottom for the photos!
January 29 th:
The day was one of those that you visit with mixed feelings - but mostly with the evolution of a tragic event that touched every soul in Florida and was reported throughout the United Stated as a tragic event.
I reached SR 318 on the way to the LaChua Trail as I listened to my Garden Expert on the radio - not much on at 6:00 AM for company! I normally see two or three cars on the drive to Micanopy so the increase in traffic was soo obvious. There was a problem on I-75.
I reached Micanopy and the highway was closed so I knew there must be a fire on the prairie to close both highways. I followed a "double" semi down CR 234 and wondered if it too heavy for the little county route to SR 20!
I made it to the "gator," loaded the photo stuff and headed out the gate to the trail and saw nothing unusual. The smoke began near the first bench and the horses, on trail, were"spooked." They ran down the trail in front of me and at a distance - I saw one run the length of the field.
The area was blanketed by a smoke and fog layer that got much denser as I passed the second bench. I found that I could use the edge of the dike to find my way to the platform and was concerned about the breathing conditions that I faced. The step up the platform revealed good air in spite of bad conditions near the surface.
It was a good viewing day! Bison, horses , coyotes, otters, and big gators ~ but then I got the call, about the accident on I-75, and the day was one to remember and the kind you want to forget!
January 20 th:
The weather has been wonderful in the afternoon but somewhat "challenging in the mornings! I had on soo many layers I felt like an onion!!
I was on LaChua this past Sunday, and found that even the bison were wearing a coat of the cold heavy frost. The four year old bison bull - Samuel was lying on the ground near the first bench. He had a layer of frost from the face to the end of the thick blanket of fur that runs down the back.
He was slow to get up - now that the noisy intruder had arrived. He took his time to feed on the grassy sides on the trail and wandered off to the West in about 15 minutes. In Chuck's view that was a beautiful experience where no one was threatened and another encounter was safely managed.
Let's talk about Bison and the common sense things to do - OK and not to do as well.
The bull lying on the side of the trail owns that terrain because he's there and he's the size and weight of a Volkswagen -so the goal is not to disturb him!. We stand and watch remembering that is why we came there and what we want to do ~ see the magnificent animals on the trail. He will get up and leave when he wants to and should never be "crowded." I never try to pass a bison on the trail.
Bison non-verbals are very simple to learn because there are only a few of them that pertain to us. The Bison's Tail is a primary communicator between bison and people. His stance, any pawing of the ground, and impression of attitude contribute much to the decision to "Stay, Advance, or Retreat!" The disclaimer is: It's up to him -so ample distance is required!!
Down and not twitching: I'm cool, collected, and not bothered by your presence.
Twitching: Bugs are a bother and maybe so are you!
Tail raised: Pointed up - to about ten o'clock or higher ~ Morning {or whenever } Constitutional is pending.
Tail Warning: The tail is horizontal and curves upward! Retreat slowly - while avoiding eye contact - head away from the animal, while keeping to the edge of the trail.
The premise is that you never attempt to approach a bison, especially a single bison, closer that 75 feet. you stay on the trail and never go into the space that they occupy.
Experience shows us that if you stand on the side of the trail ; they will leave the area in their own good time or just walk past you.
Large size is intimidating but they have passed by for 36 years without a real issue! Quiet, slow movement, and distance make viewing the bison a safe practical encounter.
Oh Yeah! Not to do is simple: You don't pull on Superman's Cape and Play on Highway 441 or 75 ~ so only submissive and avoidance behavior is safe around Tractor Trailers and Bison!
We saw about 30 bison at one time on Sunday. There is water available near the trail so they "roamed" over to the LaChua Trail for all to enjoy! Morning seems most popular but they were seen all day long.
We spotted a large Feral Hog or Boar in front of the willows to the West of LaChua. He turned and crossed the open space between us. We could see the foaming mouth and the sheer size of the animal!
He didn't waver and came up on trail within 25 feet of the visitors. Guesstimates place the pig at 150-200 pounds.
First time a hog passed this close an no indication of concern or fear of the people present.
I have not observed the quantities of pigs I saw on LaChua, in past visits, but the pig damage is deep and obvious! The last two visits showed few porkers but much damage. The key word is "DEEPER!"
Several visitors asked why the Park Service was tilling the fields - I explained that the deep ploughing was a piggy problem and not the conversion of the prairie for ethanol production!
Apparently the little bulldozers on cocaine have moved the tilling schedule to "off-hours!" Eating by the light of the full moon, works for them, and helps avoid contact with people.
I'm for keeping a breeding but "culled" herd of bison but only a small sample of Feral hogs for a Friends of Paynes Prairie BBQ Event!
Remove the pigs not the attractions!
Finally! I'm planning a Photo Walk and Talk for beginning to intermediate photographers and photo wannabees for February 18 or 25th. The schedule is tentative, park entrance fee is the only cost! Send me an email to reserve one of the limited spots on the tour!
See you on LaChua Trail on Sunday Mornings!
January 6th:
The weather report for Orange City, Florida said slightly cloudy and light winds. That's manatee photography weather!
The recent TV Report said 283 manatee are in the spring which by my calculation means that 2830 visitors will arrive by 11:07 AM.
East on SR40 through the fog ( and bears! ) and down SR17 to Orange City takes a little over a hour from Silver Springs a bit less than 2 hours from Gainesville. I arrived around 8:30 AM and found about 25 cars in the parking lot ... so far soo good!
The spring was very misty which offered some good photos down loow by the water and a few FWC Mermaids were in the water to add interest. The gals were tagging manatees and looking for one reported to have fishing line entangled around it. The funny little "pipes" on the fishing piers? Use them!
I thought I found the best job in the world! -- but swim with the manatees and get paid for it!! That's quite a job - it even offers a retirement benefit. It was amazing how the ladies could move around the manatees without disturbing them. Occasionally one would "bolt" but for most -- they simply parted and let the crew look them over.
The early arrival means quiet water and less crowd so it's the best time to get the manatee pictures. The circular polarizing filter is not effective early because the lighting is directional to begin with. Later in the day it will provide control of the glare and improve your results.
Early arrival also means little or no wind. You don't want every picture to be a mosaic!! The lighting gets a bit tough after 11 AM and the afternoon lighting is in front of you -- so go early!
Every spring has their resident monster gator and Blue Spring is not lacking in a few big boyz. Big Blue was hiding under the water at the third "walkout." He hauled out on a downed Sable Palm and wowed the out of state visitors. The manatees swam under the gator while he rested on the log above. No concern there!
The best time to visit is during the week. I was there on Friday and the park closed access, around 10:30 AM, to control the number of visitors, Some are let in as people leave to maintain an non-Theme Park Environs.
The spring is wall to wall manatees!!
January 29 th:
The day was one of those that you visit with mixed feelings - but mostly with the evolution of a tragic event that touched every soul in Florida and was reported throughout the United Stated as a tragic event.
I reached SR 318 on the way to the LaChua Trail as I listened to my Garden Expert on the radio - not much on at 6:00 AM for company! I normally see two or three cars on the drive to Micanopy so the increase in traffic was soo obvious. There was a problem on I-75.
I reached Micanopy and the highway was closed so I knew there must be a fire on the prairie to close both highways. I followed a "double" semi down CR 234 and wondered if it too heavy for the little county route to SR 20!
I made it to the "gator," loaded the photo stuff and headed out the gate to the trail and saw nothing unusual. The smoke began near the first bench and the horses, on trail, were"spooked." They ran down the trail in front of me and at a distance - I saw one run the length of the field.
The area was blanketed by a smoke and fog layer that got much denser as I passed the second bench. I found that I could use the edge of the dike to find my way to the platform and was concerned about the breathing conditions that I faced. The step up the platform revealed good air in spite of bad conditions near the surface.
It was a good viewing day! Bison, horses , coyotes, otters, and big gators ~ but then I got the call, about the accident on I-75, and the day was one to remember and the kind you want to forget!
January 20 th:
The weather has been wonderful in the afternoon but somewhat "challenging in the mornings! I had on soo many layers I felt like an onion!!
I was on LaChua this past Sunday, and found that even the bison were wearing a coat of the cold heavy frost. The four year old bison bull - Samuel was lying on the ground near the first bench. He had a layer of frost from the face to the end of the thick blanket of fur that runs down the back.
He was slow to get up - now that the noisy intruder had arrived. He took his time to feed on the grassy sides on the trail and wandered off to the West in about 15 minutes. In Chuck's view that was a beautiful experience where no one was threatened and another encounter was safely managed.
Let's talk about Bison and the common sense things to do - OK and not to do as well.
The bull lying on the side of the trail owns that terrain because he's there and he's the size and weight of a Volkswagen -so the goal is not to disturb him!. We stand and watch remembering that is why we came there and what we want to do ~ see the magnificent animals on the trail. He will get up and leave when he wants to and should never be "crowded." I never try to pass a bison on the trail.
Bison non-verbals are very simple to learn because there are only a few of them that pertain to us. The Bison's Tail is a primary communicator between bison and people. His stance, any pawing of the ground, and impression of attitude contribute much to the decision to "Stay, Advance, or Retreat!" The disclaimer is: It's up to him -so ample distance is required!!
Down and not twitching: I'm cool, collected, and not bothered by your presence.
Twitching: Bugs are a bother and maybe so are you!
Tail raised: Pointed up - to about ten o'clock or higher ~ Morning {or whenever } Constitutional is pending.
Tail Warning: The tail is horizontal and curves upward! Retreat slowly - while avoiding eye contact - head away from the animal, while keeping to the edge of the trail.
The premise is that you never attempt to approach a bison, especially a single bison, closer that 75 feet. you stay on the trail and never go into the space that they occupy.
Experience shows us that if you stand on the side of the trail ; they will leave the area in their own good time or just walk past you.
Large size is intimidating but they have passed by for 36 years without a real issue! Quiet, slow movement, and distance make viewing the bison a safe practical encounter.
Oh Yeah! Not to do is simple: You don't pull on Superman's Cape and Play on Highway 441 or 75 ~ so only submissive and avoidance behavior is safe around Tractor Trailers and Bison!
We saw about 30 bison at one time on Sunday. There is water available near the trail so they "roamed" over to the LaChua Trail for all to enjoy! Morning seems most popular but they were seen all day long.
We spotted a large Feral Hog or Boar in front of the willows to the West of LaChua. He turned and crossed the open space between us. We could see the foaming mouth and the sheer size of the animal!
He didn't waver and came up on trail within 25 feet of the visitors. Guesstimates place the pig at 150-200 pounds.
First time a hog passed this close an no indication of concern or fear of the people present.
I have not observed the quantities of pigs I saw on LaChua, in past visits, but the pig damage is deep and obvious! The last two visits showed few porkers but much damage. The key word is "DEEPER!"
Several visitors asked why the Park Service was tilling the fields - I explained that the deep ploughing was a piggy problem and not the conversion of the prairie for ethanol production!
Apparently the little bulldozers on cocaine have moved the tilling schedule to "off-hours!" Eating by the light of the full moon, works for them, and helps avoid contact with people.
I'm for keeping a breeding but "culled" herd of bison but only a small sample of Feral hogs for a Friends of Paynes Prairie BBQ Event!
Remove the pigs not the attractions!
Finally! I'm planning a Photo Walk and Talk for beginning to intermediate photographers and photo wannabees for February 18 or 25th. The schedule is tentative, park entrance fee is the only cost! Send me an email to reserve one of the limited spots on the tour!
See you on LaChua Trail on Sunday Mornings!
January 6th:
The weather report for Orange City, Florida said slightly cloudy and light winds. That's manatee photography weather!
The recent TV Report said 283 manatee are in the spring which by my calculation means that 2830 visitors will arrive by 11:07 AM.
East on SR40 through the fog ( and bears! ) and down SR17 to Orange City takes a little over a hour from Silver Springs a bit less than 2 hours from Gainesville. I arrived around 8:30 AM and found about 25 cars in the parking lot ... so far soo good!
The spring was very misty which offered some good photos down loow by the water and a few FWC Mermaids were in the water to add interest. The gals were tagging manatees and looking for one reported to have fishing line entangled around it. The funny little "pipes" on the fishing piers? Use them!
I thought I found the best job in the world! -- but swim with the manatees and get paid for it!! That's quite a job - it even offers a retirement benefit. It was amazing how the ladies could move around the manatees without disturbing them. Occasionally one would "bolt" but for most -- they simply parted and let the crew look them over.
The early arrival means quiet water and less crowd so it's the best time to get the manatee pictures. The circular polarizing filter is not effective early because the lighting is directional to begin with. Later in the day it will provide control of the glare and improve your results.
Early arrival also means little or no wind. You don't want every picture to be a mosaic!! The lighting gets a bit tough after 11 AM and the afternoon lighting is in front of you -- so go early!
Every spring has their resident monster gator and Blue Spring is not lacking in a few big boyz. Big Blue was hiding under the water at the third "walkout." He hauled out on a downed Sable Palm and wowed the out of state visitors. The manatees swam under the gator while he rested on the log above. No concern there!
The best time to visit is during the week. I was there on Friday and the park closed access, around 10:30 AM, to control the number of visitors, Some are let in as people leave to maintain an non-Theme Park Environs.
The spring is wall to wall manatees!!
© Charles F. Littlewood