The Challenge Continues

Last Sunday it was decided that the four of us, John & Judy, Tom & I would go on a weight loss program.  The incentive $100 to the one that loses the largest percentage of weight by Valentine's Day.  Today was the end of week one.  Overall we lost more than 11 pounds.  Not bad.  Judy had the largest percentage for this week.  We will see what next week brings.

Today the sun came out and the temperature rose into the 80's.  We headed back to the Circle B Bar Reserve again today to take a tram tour of the area.

 This brought us into the far reaches of the 1267 acres to see more of the topography and the wildlife.  The earliest property maps in 1927 show this as a wet area connected to Lake Hancock.  Over the next 70 years the wet lands were drained and the land became a cattle ranch.  Lake Hancock is the second largest lake in Florida but only about 4 feet deep.  Without the wet lands to help filter the water plus the run off from the cattle, etc. the lake became extremely polluted.  In 2000 the property was purchased by Polk County and turned back into a wetland.  Slowly the lake is being cleaned but it will take a long time.  There is reported to be over 4,000 alligators in Lake Hancock.  Not a place you would want to take a dip on a hot day like today.

The birds were out in full force today.  This Anhinga is perched on top of a couple of soft shelled turtles drying his wings.  This is a water bird and water birds have natural oils that enable their feathers to repel water.  This allows them to take flight directly out of the water.  But an Anhinga has no oils.  When they are finished feeding in the water they must dry their wings before they are able to fly.  You will see them sitting on rocks, logs (turtles) or hanging in a tree with their wings spread out.  Thus the nickname - batman bird.

I won't bore you with a bunch of bird pictures as I did several when we were here last week.  But I can not get over the incredible old oak trees.  Our guide told us these trees were planted by the ranchers to provide shade for the cattle and are about 90 years old.  They are covered with Spanish Moss which is beautiful but looks so spooky.

Because of all the rain we have had recently there is a beautiful fern growing on all the oak trees.  It is called the Resurrection Fern.  It will only last a few days and then will disappear again.  It makes these trees look very lush.

The Spanish Moss may look very interesting and our guide told us that it was used by Henry Ford as the stuffing for his car seats way back in the 1920's.  Until it was found that the moss is full of chiggers.  They are so tiny they are almost invisible but have an awful bite.  That may have been the first vehicle recall in history.

Internet pic---this is NOT me!!

This is what the wet lands look like today.   So pretty and lush looking.

A great way to spend an afternoon.  Until next time - safe travels.