RHPhotoAdventures and Hiking Club

16/07/2025

July 16th is World Snake Day! All snakes serve a crucial role in nature, even the “bad” ones. Without snakes, we would be overrun with rodents. Snakes also help keep their own populations in check as some non-venomous snakes eat venomous snakes. Snakes feed raptors, such as hawks and owls. We have only six venomous snakes out of 44 species in Florida. Here are a handful I’ve seen slithering around.

14/07/2025

Baby alligators are my favorite! Welcome to the world little dudes.

Remember to respect their space. Mama is always nearby!!

Nesting season for alligators continues into midsummer and now, hatchlings are emerging. Mother alligators build mound nests that hold heat and moisture, incubating eggs for about 65 days. July is when hatchlings begin appearing and although they are very adorable, stay a safe distance away! Mama gator is close by watching over her young, which will stay near her for about the next year or two! 🐊

06/07/2025

The cypress trees are loving all this rain. That lovely green. *sigh*

Did you know that humans can distinguish more shades of green than any other color? Scientists believe that was to help our ancestors differentiate poisonous plants from beneficial and edible plants.

05/07/2025

The Atala butterfly was once thought to be extinct, but it’s making a major comeback in southwest Florida. Its host plant is the coontie, a small cycad. This is a great example of why we should plant native plants whenever possible. As more people plant coontie in their yards, more Atala butterflies are given an opportunity for life.

04/07/2025

Enjoyed a short walk at Six Mile Cypress between raindrops. This cute little black racer was waiting for us when we finished our walk.

04/07/2025

I try to keep my posts of native Florida plants and animals, but when you go to a botanical garden you never know what might catch your eye. I have no idea what these little flowers are, but I love them!

02/07/2025

Just a sweet little baby reminding you to be kind. To love your neighbor no matter what color their skin or who they love. To honor Mother Earth. And to just a a decent human. The world needs more of that. 💚

01/07/2025

A positively gorgeous specimen! Prickly pear. A favorite of the gopher tortoise.

30/06/2025

One of my favorites, the swamp lily.

30/06/2025

I’m not going to be planning any hikes until October. It’s just too hot and I don’t want to risk anybody having a heat related health emergency. Enjoy your summer and I’ll see y’all in October!

30/06/2025

Spiny backed orb weaver with tasty prey

29/06/2025

A brilliant green anole. It’s always a treat to see these guys.