Hontoon Island State Park

Susan Young has e-mailed us that Hontoon Island (on the St. Johns) is open again. If you have not been there it is a GREAT park. It is featured in our 1st hiking book for CFL, as well as our biking and wildlife books. And Susan reminds us that they also have canoe and kayak rentals. It's a fun and free short ferry ride over to the island and you can make a great day of it. Take as picnic lunch. We do quite often.
Thanks for the reminder Susan.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This guy is just happy that, as of Thursday, he will still be wandering around in the woods.
Best wishes to you and yours for a very Happy and safe Thanksgiving Day.
Roger

Whooping Crane Migration in Progress

14 young Whooping Cranes are on their way to Florida, led by an ultralite plane with a pilot dressed as a Whooping Crane. (Hey, we don't make this stuff up, and this really does work!) See the pic.
Operation Migration has played a leading role in the reintroduction of endangered Whooping Cranes into eastern North America since 2001. In the 1940s the species was reduced to just 15 birds.

They need your help! Operation Migration relies on grants and contributions from individuals and foundations to continue their work. You can help by clicking on www.operationmigration.org and following their progress, and even by making a donation to keep these birds flying. (Yes, even the one in the bird suit.) :)

Operation Migration is a non-profit organization in the United States and Canada. Your tax-deductible contributions help keep this exciting wildlife reintroduction literally, "In The Air".

Free To celebrate Veteran's Day

To honor the nation’s 25 million veterans and 1.3 million active-duty service men and women, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will offer free day-use entry to all state park visitors on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2008. Through the sacrifices of those past veterans and their families, and the dedication and sacrifices of today's military members and their families, you are FREE to visit any state park you want.

Beauty in Nature

From Chris Friesen in DeLand, FL comes this photo taken earlier today at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. It's just amazing how such small small creatures can weave such webs.