There & Back Again: Brooks to Key Largo to Kachemak Bay

[Pleistohorse]

Do they have axis deer now?

Not that I saw. Just mainland Whitetail and Florida Key Deer. I did not see the Key Deer. Although they did have a Key Deer at the Tallahassee Museum.

No one will agree with me, but: I do think they should add Feral Hogs, Armadillos, and Sambar Deer to their collection of Florida Wildlife. In addition to missing natives like Raccoons, American Crocodiles, and Striped and Spotted Skunks (although each in its own way is hard to display…well not the Raccoons).

Are Axis Deer established as genuine feral animals in Florida? I thought they were still restricted to a few ranches behind high fencing.

 

[TinoPup]

Not that I saw. Just mainland Whitetail and Florida Key Deer. I did not see the Key Deer. Although they did have a Key Deer at the Tallahassee Museum.

No one will agree with me, but: I do think they should add Feral Hogs, Armadillos, and Sambar Deer to their collection of Florida Wildlife. In addition to missing natives like Raccoons, American Crocodiles, and Striped and Spotted Skunks (although each in its own way is hard to display…well not the Raccoons).

Are Axis Deer established as genuine feral animals in Florida? I thought they were still restricted to a few ranches behind high fencing.

I have no idea about feral Axis. USDA had been showing them having Axis instead of whitetail now, and it's one of those things that didn't seem correct, of course.

 

[birdsandbats]

Not that I saw. Just mainland Whitetail and Florida Key Deer. I did not see the Key Deer. Although they did have a Key Deer at the Tallahassee Museum.

No one will agree with me, but: I do think they should add Feral Hogs, Armadillos, and Sambar Deer to their collection of Florida Wildlife. In addition to missing natives like Raccoons, American Crocodiles, and Striped and Spotted Skunks (although each in its own way is hard to display…well not the Raccoons).

Are Axis Deer established as genuine feral animals in Florida? I thought they were still restricted to a few ranches behind high fencing.

Armadillos are definitely native. Wild Boars could make an interesting display about invasive species, but Sambar are barely present in Florida.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Axis are not established as far as I am aware. Sambar are really only in one area (St. Vincent island), capybara are pretty well established now. Actually, there have been several sightings of them recently in Hillsborough county (Tampa metro).

Peafowl and various parrots and parakeets are very established. Sika deer may be starting to establish, but it's not conclusive yet.

There's a cool searchable database here:
EDDMapS Species Distribution Maps - EDDMapS

 

[Pleistohorse]

@SwampDonkey interesting. I know it was a different species likely…but I really see the possible establishment of “wild” capybaras in Florida as something more akin to a returning Native.

 

[birdsandbats]

Axis are not established as far as I am aware. Sambar are really only in one area (St. Vincent island), capybara are pretty well established now. Actually, there have been several sightings of them recently in Hillsborough county (Tampa metro).

Peafowl and various parrots and parakeets are very established. Sika deer may be starting to establish, but it's not conclusive yet.

There's a cool searchable database here:
EDDMapS Species Distribution Maps - EDDMapS

Where are the Sika Deer?

@SwampDonkey interesting. I know it was a different species likely…but I really see the possible establishment of “wild” capybaras in Florida as something more akin to a returning Native.

Florida has changed a lot since the Pleistocene, I would hardly call them native.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Where are the Sika Deer?

Florida has changed a lot since the Pleistocene, I would hardly call them native.

I'm going to backtrack on them being established, it looks like all the sightings took place in 2021 and in a pretty localized area around Avon Park, so possibly one or a couple individual animals, but not a population yet.

 

[SwampDonkey]

@SwampDonkey interesting. I know it was a different species likely…but I really see the possible establishment of “wild” capybaras in Florida as something more akin to a returning Native.

You're not the only one to hold that opinion, a few "pleistocene rewilding" groups agree with that point. I have personally seen a pair of them in the past, around 2014.

 

[PSO]

Though they have never publicly admit to it, back when Lubee had other species, several capybara escaped and established a population around the Santa Fe River. They escaped sometime in the 90s. They have been spotted as recently as last year

 

[Pleistohorse]

Crystal Springs Town Square.


And never to return…..


Close enough to perfect to deserve the label. If you are in Florida (in late fall or winter) you must visit.

Departure: La Quinta Inn, Temple Terrace District if Tampa, Florida. 0829 hours. Light/Weather: Bright and Sunny with passing clouds. 73F. Closest ocean: Hillsborough Bay off Tampa Bay off the Gulf of Mexico of the Atlantic Ocean. 12 miles due south. Elevation: 48 feet.

Yesterday…I visited Homossassa Springs State Wildlife Park and Busch Gardens Tampa…which used Busch Gardens Africa and before Busch Gardens Dark Continent. I remember the tv adverts when I was boy in New York’s Hudson Valley. At the time the adverts focusing on the “zoo” were very exciting. I remember leaping Impalas, Kudu posing, Crowned Cranes extending their wings! The reality at 52, with no young kids along? A very nice Africa section of a first class zoo…$170 dollars entrance and parking…without the extra $40 to ride a safari truck into the preserve. Of course if I had a couple kids in tow I might not be able to afford to make it back to Alaska.

It’s too steep to visit for the zoo experiences alone. It’s pretty steep for an amusement park. However pleasant day and it wasn’t too crowded and the animal exhibits where first rate. Some of the smaller creatures were giving the short end…but for the marque species…top rate. I only went because I remembered commercials from 40 years ago and the opportunity was there.

More on the Busch Gardens “Zoo” later.

Homossassa Springs? Close to perfect with wild birds and manatees adding to the experience. As a native species regional zoo…I’ve rarely seen better. More on it and the hippo later.

This morning I’m on my way to ZooTampa at Lowry Park! I’m excited to see it. After that Bass Pro Tampa and the Bay Pines National Cemetery. Then I drive down to Marco Island to visit my sister. If I can I’ll fit Bass Pro Fort Meyers and the Naples Zoo in.

I’ve been avoiding driving at night, but I just move on evening across “Alligator Ally” toward Homestead and see what lights shine back at me in the dark.

Oh and if you’re ever in Crystal Springs it’s one block historic district is beautiful and reminded me very much of my favorite town in Alaska. Palmer one town over from me. It’s pretty cool.

 

[SusScrofa]

View attachment 585430
Crystal Springs Town Square.

View attachment 585432
And never to return…..

View attachment 585431
Close enough to perfect to deserve the label. If you are in Florida (in late fall or winter) you must visit.

Departure: La Quinta Inn, Temple Terrace District if Tampa, Florida. 0829 hours. Light/Weather: Bright and Sunny with passing clouds. 73F. Closest ocean: Hillsborough Bay off Tampa Bay off the Gulf of Mexico of the Atlantic Ocean. 12 miles due south. Elevation: 48 feet.

Yesterday…I visited Homossassa Springs State Wildlife Park and Busch Gardens Tampa…which used Busch Gardens Africa and before Busch Gardens Dark Continent. I remember the tv adverts when I was boy in New York’s Hudson Valley. At the time the adverts focusing on the “zoo” were very exciting. I remember leaping Impalas, Kudu posing, Crowned Cranes extending their wings! The reality at 52, with no young kids along? A very nice Africa section of a first class zoo…$170 dollars entrance and parking…without the extra $40 to ride a safari truck into the preserve. Of course if I had a couple kids in tow I might not be able to afford to make it back to Alaska.

It’s too steep to visit for the zoo experiences alone. It’s pretty steep for an amusement park. However pleasant day and it wasn’t too crowded and the animal exhibits where first rate. Some of the smaller creatures were giving the short end…but for the marque species…top rate. I only went because I remembered commercials from 40 years ago and the opportunity was there.

More on the Busch Gardens “Zoo” later.

Homossassa Springs? Close to perfect with wild birds and manatees adding to the experience. As a native species regional zoo…I’ve rarely seen better. More on it and the hippo later.

This morning I’m on my way to ZooTampa at Lowry Park! I’m excited to see it. After that Bass Pro Tampa and the Bay Pines National Cemetery. Then I drive down to Marco Island to visit my sister. If I can I’ll fit Bass Pro Fort Meyers and the Naples Zoo in.

I’ve been avoiding driving at night, but I just move on evening across “Alligator Ally” toward Homestead and see what lights shine back at me in the dark.

Oh and if you’re ever in Crystal Springs it’s one block historic district is beautiful and reminded me very much of my favorite town in Alaska. Palmer one town over from me. It’s pretty cool.

Thank you for all the reviews! Sorry you had a bad experience at Busch Gardens. You can actually save a significant amount of money on Busch Gardens and other area zoos/aquariums if you purchase a Tampa CityPASS.
Tampa Bay CityPASS

 

[Pleistohorse]

Departure: Marco Island, Florida. 1638hrs. Light/weather: late afternoon. Intermittent rain showers and partly cloudy. 83F. Closest Ocean: Gulf of Mexico off the Atlantic Ocean .1 Miles due east. Elevation 10 feet.

Spent the night and most of the day on Marco Island. A friend hooked me up with an ocean view. Spotted a few birds. Mostly hung out with my sister and her sons.

I did past several panther crossing signs, as well as signs for Gopher Tortoises and Bobcats. It’s a late afternoon two hour shot across the top of the Everglades to Homestead. Miami Zoo in the morning.

Oh…225 miles on this last leg.

Off we go.

 

[Lota lota]

(where my grandfather, U.S. Army 1942 - 1945 is buried. Pretty amazing born in Ireland, buried in a veterans cemetery in Florida

My maternal great grandfather is also burried in St Petersburg.But he died in the horrific Siege of Leningrad.

 

[Pleistohorse]

Departure: Homestead, Florida. 0814 hours. Light/Weather: Bright sun intermittent clouds. Closest Ocean: Atlantic Ocean, 3 miles due east. Elevation: 6 feet.

Extra day on Marco Island pretty much ended any excursion into Everglades National Park. Currently on route to the Miami Zoo. Following that’s, I’ll drive south to Key Largo.

Last night’s drive across the Big Cypress National Preserve was interesting. A land of birds, rivers, refuge and home of the Seminole people. Strange creatures and torrential rains like a river pouring from the sky.

Tonight I’ll be in Palm Bay and visiting the Brevard Zoo during the next days. While I’m Palm Bay, I’ll update all the species lists and post a quick review of each facility visit.

 

[aardvark250]

View attachment 586089 View attachment 586088 View attachment 586087 Departure: Homestead, Florida. 0814 hours. Light/Weather: Bright sun intermittent clouds. Closest Ocean: Atlantic Ocean, 3 miles due east. Elevation: 6 feet.

Extra day on Marco Island pretty much ended any excursion into Everglades National Park. Currently on route to the Miami Zoo. Following that’s, I’ll drive south to Key Largo.

Last night’s drive across the Big Cypress National Preserve was interesting. A land of birds, rivers, refuge and home of the Seminole people. Strange creatures and torrential rains like a river pouring from the sky.

Tonight I’ll be in Palm Bay and visiting the Brevard Zoo during the next days. While I’m Palm Bay, I’ll update all the species lists and post a quick review of each facility visit.

that's the best bigfoot photo i've ever seen :O

 

[birdsandbats]

that's the best bigfoot photo i've ever seen :O

It's actually a skunkape, a related Florida endemic.

 

[PossumRoach]

Though they have never publicly admit to it, back when Lubee had other species, several capybara escaped and established a population around the Santa Fe River. They escaped sometime in the 90s. They have been spotted as recently as last year

By Lubee do you mean the Bat Conservancy? what else did they have if it is not classified to share.

 

[PSO]

Yes the Lubee Bat Conservancy. They had one of the most complete Callitrichid species collections before they went to just the bats. I can't remember all the species they had (but can find out) but I remember the list saying capy, Gaur, tapir (can't remember species) and other exotic hoofstock.

 

[Pleistohorse]

Alright…we are back on the road. Today I head north, aiming for Savanna Georgia. Along the way I’ll stop at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and (time permitting) the Jacksonville Zoo. Tonight I’ll try to get my Florida Wildlife Spotting list up of species I was able to identify.

Departure: Melbourne, Florida. 0657. Light / Weather: Sunny, clear, and humid. Nearest Ocean: Indian River Lagoon off the Atlantic Ocean. 5 miles due east. Elevation 20 feet.

 

[Pleistohorse]

I’ve left Florida.

I visited the following Zoos:
Gulf Breeze Zoo
Tallahassee Museum
Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park
Busch Gardens Tampa Wildlife Exhibits
Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park
Miami Zoo
Brevard Zoo
St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park
Jacksonville Zoo
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.

all of them were fine experiences. I’d say my top three overall would be Lowry Park, Homossassa Springs, and Miami.

The most fun would be Gulf Breeze Zoo and Brevard Zoo because I visited them in good company.

least favorite was the Gulfarium.

I did not see as much Wildlife in Florida as I expected although birds were everywhere. Mammals were few (except for the grey squirrel).

Ten minutes into Georgia I racked up 50 Canada Geese and two Feral Hogs. So we will see what tomorrow brings.

Here is the list for Florida (no way is it comprehensive…saw several species or lizard and turtle I’ll need to look up and many birds whose little black shapes against the bright sky will never be identified) Road Kill and Calls only will be identified and domestics will also be counted. Here we go:

Grey Squirrel - 38
House Sparrow - 38
Mourning Dove - 79
Brown Thrasher - 1
Brown Pelican - 35
Great Blue Heron - 19
Fox Squirrel - 2
Laughing Gull - 65
Double Crested Cormorant - 73
Crow (after a while I got tired of trying to distinguish between American and Fish Crows…I’d say American Crows made up about 25% of sightings) - 393
European Starling - 302
White Ibis - 171 (all animals in zoos have been counted in the zoo…these things are like the pigeons of Florida).
Osprey - 11
Black Vulture - 79 (ditto the white ibis)
Sandhill Crane - 7
Grackle - 419
Cattle - 768
Cattle Egret - 25
Turkey Vulture - 60
Mute Swan - 4
Horse - 85
Muscovy Duck - 2
Great Egret - 24
Rock Pigeon - 147
Red-shouldered Hawk - 2
Snowy Egret - 19
Raccoon (RK) - 4
Belted Kingfisher - 9
Virginia Opossum (RK) - 3
Purple Gallinule - 2
Blue Jay - 4
Red-crested Cardinal - 1
American Kestrel - 1
Rose-ringed Parakeet - 12
Nine Banded Armadillo (RK) - 1
Palm Warbler - 2
Eurasian Collared Dove - 17
Anhinga - 5
Little Blue Heron - 1
Glossy Ibis - 1
Woodstork - 1
Eastern Bluebird - 2
Fish Crow - 26
American White Pelican - 2
Northern Mockingbird - 9
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
Little Grass Frog - 1
Southern Toad - 1
Snapping Turtle - 1
Whitetail Deer - 7
Least Tern - 2
Great Horned Owl (call only)
Ruby Crowned Kinglet - 1
Coyote (RK) - 1

Why count road kill? I’m treating this as more of a survey of what animals are present.

I’ve also seen wildlife crossing signs for Florida Panthers, Bobcat, Whitetail Deer, and Gopher Tortoises.

Tomorrow I’ll be visiting Oatland Island Wildlife Center and Charles Towne Landing State Park. Both small native species zoos, before turning a hard left towards North Carolina Zoo for Sunday.