Red Rock Canyon

Joined some friends out here in Vegas for a trip to Red Rock Canyon for an afternoon hike. We managed to climb to the top of one of the rock faces. Not much climbing mostly some hiking, but only Brett had the climbing gear. Beautiful place, so if you ever find your way out to Vegas, you should really check it out!

Muhly Grass Blooming

The muhlenbergia is blooming on the refuge, this area burned in a wildfire in July. Muhly grass responds very quickly to fire, we see the most blooms after a late spring early summer fire which is the typical fire season in south Florida. The purple was everywhere out in this prairie, amazing show of nature rebounding from a disturbance.

Trippin on the buggy

Took a trip out on the buggy today with the new intern and a law enforcement officer from Puerto Rico, there is still a good deal of standing water out in the cypress strands, but the pinelands are drying up quickly.

Bioluminescence

Spent Saturday evening with several friends, after the sun set and the ambient light died down the bioluminescence started showing in the waves. It was a little bright to really capture the light blue color of the small single cell organisms that light up when disturbed. This time of the year when the water is warm you can find millions of little sparkling lights in the water. I will return with the beach soon on a mission to capture a better picture.

TTI Grand Opening

I attended Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge's grand opening for the new public parking lot and Marsh Trail. The morning included a bird watching trip, guided kayaking, a nature walk, and a fly fishing demonstration. Here are a few quick outtakes, enjoy your weekend.

Nice Morning Light

Some picture from my morning, beautiful light this morning on the way into work. Just thought I should share some nice light.

Dirty fun on Camel Back

While at the Hyde Park Street Fair I watched as children enjoyed themselves sliding down portions of Camel's Back Hill. It was a climb getting up to the steepest section (right at the top) but it was fun to watch and it reminded me of my childhood. My brother Casey and I would have been all over that hill, sliding down on our butts through the sand and dirt. It's great to see kids being kids and enjoying themselves outdoors.