This past labor day I visited Seranova Tract, part of the Starkey Wilderness Preserve in Pasco County. I've been working on photo processing to compensate for my lack of a decent camera, lighting, and overall photography experience. It takes a while for me to go through 50+ photos and pick the best ones to process. The daylight was shaded by dense clouds, the clouds moved swiftly with the heavy winds; however, an absent creative spark leaves my fingers idle at the keys.
The power grid runs through and creates an open area to capture the wind current.
Feed the war machine
Their marching will never cease
Slaves to their instinct
Illumination shines through the clouds as the canopy begins to open, this is not lens glare.
The agility of these butterflies makes them all the more difficult to snapshot, they must be shy.
Even with the glare I was able to adjust shadow and highlight settings to reveal the exact color of this 'Humungo'.
These are sprouts (primarily termed) of the Humungo. Forests are counted by using a base (tree type dependent) of the number of the largest category of tree in an area and the younger sprouts its causes exponentially. This is how biologists evaluate a semi-accurate amount of forestry that that have pertaining to a particular property. It is also one of the ways logging companies try to appraise the value of their new Profit Land. The layers from the below the soil all the way to the canopy peak is the genesis for the thriving ecosystem it encompasses: it all starts at the few Humungos left. Different tree types seed in different manners and frequencies; more often than not, new sprouts will not be able to form (a variety on conflicting factors include weather, animals, and of course interference of man) The largest tree saps the most nutrients from the soil, but life... finds a way.
It took a while for me to finish all the content in this post, I've been having to keep up with my C and Java classes. I try to keep busy but that also means distractions. Hopefully I will get back out there soon.
A simple start: rested, hydrated, fed, and stretched... the day is flourishing.
Winding narrow brush paths stay to my sides until reaching the terraced roadway and first water body to the East.
A divergence of the path.... and so comes the dilemma of being limitless.
Too much life is left to die alone.
Her highness Heron bides her time in the shade, spying on the prey in the murky pool below.
Group and equestrian camping is offered (for free) by reservation. This makes for my first break.
The rare leering of the Sun's glare from behind the canopy of clouds generates the first heavy shadow for the day.
Wish I knew what these are, but brightly colored berries certainly don't look edible, getting sick is worse than starvation. Luckily I got my Tanka Bar.
Their marching will never cease
Slaves to their instinct
Some SWFWMD properties allow hunting during certain seasons; however, Starkey Preserve does not for the time being, although its good for fishing.
These flowers assume their position, cleaving the hefty breeze.
Horse tracks are an obvious sign of the equestrian campers ahead. The frequent rain and moist trail soil prove these are fresh, otherwise they would wash away.
The deluge of recent days causes ponds to flood out and submerge all other depressions throughout the land. Bare-footed wading comes up to near-waist-high in some areas... my envy of the cavalry is obvious.
Lastly I'll leave you with a hint of warning, these fat pink-gilled mushrooms that flourish with Florida's humidity have toxins that are deleterious to the human digestive system.
It took a while for me to finish all the content in this post, I've been having to keep up with my C and Java classes. I try to keep busy but that also means distractions. Hopefully I will get back out there soon.
