ROSS PRAIRIE STATE FOREST, Dunnellon, FL

ROSS PRAIRIE STATE FOREST

10660 SW Hwy 200, Dunnellon, Florida

We explored Ross Prairie State Forest, yesterday, with a new friend. He guided us along a 2.3 mile trail that wove through the forest, where the fragrant aroma of pines and spring flowers wafed through the cool air.  The trail led out to an open prairie, where there is a sand path around the perimeter, with trail markers pointing us back into the forest. We could really feel the heat of the day out on the prairie path.

 

It was so refreshing to reenter the cool forest, 

before heading back out to the sun drenched prairie

 where he showed us a water hole.  

It was permanent enough to have White Water Lilies,

 and two resident alligators.

 

 

Can you spot the alligator peeking at you, 

from between the water lily pads?  

He looks like a stick stretched out to the right.

Partridge berry blossoms in the forest reminded me 

of our woods in New York State,

as did the cascades of high bush Blueberries blossoms.

I was surprised to find lots of colorful fungus and mushrooms in Spring.  Back home I think of mushrooms as being abundant in the Fall months.

a peachy trio

brown tones

Red Blanket Lichen was on live trees

 as well as on many fallen logs.

In one of the forest openings, 

we heard the Eastern Twohee rustling in the leaves, 

under some shrubs.  

Soon he moved to the top of the shrubs

 where I was able to take his picture.  

He seemed to be saying,

"REET" "REET" "REET".

When I imitated his call, he got really excited and stayed near us much longer than I would have expected.

 While enjoying the Twohee,

I glanced down and spotted this blue Lupine,

with a 

Florida Leaf-Footed Bug on it.

Before leaving the RPSF, we were awed by the 

Prickly-Pear cactus plants

 that graced some of the prairie grass along the entrance road.  (Look to your left because they bloom from April through August).

If you venture to walk among them, as I did, 

be sure your feet are well covered and legs protected.  

They have barbed bristles that are difficult to remove from the skin, per my Audubon book.  

These plants can be from one foot to three foot tall

 with spiny pads the size of the palm of my hand.   

They were just beginning to bloom, and smaller than I expect they will be in the months to come. 

We topped off our day with lunch at Stumpknockers,

just three miles further West on HWY 200, 

heading into Inverness. 

 The view of the cyprus, at the edge of

the Withlacoochee River, just off the deck

at Stumpknockers.