期刊歸檔用於 2018年9月

2018年09月03日

Hillsborough River State Park

We hiked the River Rapids Trail and Baynard Trail on 2018-09-01. The River Rapids Trail began wet, but was otherwise in good shape. Baynard Trail was entirely flooded, to the point of being impassable for its final hundred meters or so.

由使用者 durieudm durieudm2018年09月03日 12:18 所貼文 | 47 個觀察記錄 | 0 評論 | 留下評論

Insect Lighting in Green Swamp

We will be continuing our tradition of regular sampling at Green Swamp. Our last trip, one month ago, was a great success with multiple large silkmoths (including two luna moths), lots of sphinx moths, large beetles, and a small assortment of herps. We've got two lights now: a double 4-ft fluorescent blacklight and a 175W metal halide. We plan to run both of these lights on our upcoming trip.

We will be going out to the same location this coming Saturday, September 8. David will be on-site by 6pm, and we can arrange a carpool leaving from USF around 5pm. Sunset is at 7:42, and that is when we will turn on the lights. The best action is usually between 9 and 10:30, and we usually stay until 11-12. In the past, insect activity has slowed around this time.

There will be little to no walking on this trip, but you will want tightly closed shoes (dark if you have them) to keep the bugs out. I normally recommend dark long pants that can tuck into your socks, and a dark long-sleeve shirt, since we can't use bug spray around the sheets. Basically, cover your skin and avoid white clothes.

Considering the success of our pot-luck at Hillsborough River State Park, let's do the same for dinner on this trip. As before, David will supply plates/cups/utensils and Nils will bring his grill. Extra picnic chairs and extra flashlights will also be extremely helpful.

If you are interested, please email David Durieux for specifics regarding location, logistics, and contact information.

由使用者 durieudm durieudm2018年09月03日 12:37 所貼文 | 2 評論 | 留下評論

2018年09月10日

Seining Fort DeSoto

On Saturday, September 22, we will have a seine netting trip at Fort DeSoto park in Saint Petersburg. The park has both sand flats and seagrass, so we should be able to come up with quite a diversity of fish. Historically, we have collected seahorses, pipefish, stingrays, pufferfish, and a multitude of other really cool critters at this location.


Pufferfish by Nils

The net we plan to use is a seine net 50 feet long, and about 5 feet tall. It takes at least three people to pull the net properly, and works a lot better with at least six. Typically, we drag one end away from the beach, and then loop it back to corral the fish. We then pull the net completely back to shore, capuring most of the fish in the sampling area. Then, we can have a good look at them, photograph the fish, and release them back into the water. I'll be bringing some tanks for temporary holding and photography.


Redfin Needlefish by Nils

We will leave from SCA around 8:30 am, getting us on site by 9:30. By carpooling from USF we can save on tolls and parking fees. We will be fishing on the North Beach. Everyone present will need a saltwater fishing license (the shoreline license is free to anyone with a Florida driver's license). We have to be strict about enforcing this for legal reasons. Bring clothes that can get wet and dirty, and good water shoes if you plan on pulling the net. Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses are a good idea.

For more information on Florida fishing licenses: http://myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing/

As before, we will be having a pot-luck lunch after seining. David will, as usual, supply cups/plates/utensils.

由使用者 durieudm durieudm2018年09月10日 15:46 所貼文 | 0 評論 | 留下評論

2018年09月18日

Seining Trip Postponed due to Red Tide

We just got confirmation that there's a fish kill at Fort DeSoto from the red tide bloom, so we're going to have to postpone the seining trip until conditions improve. We'll keep you posted and we'll reschedule as soon as we can, likely later this semester.

由使用者 durieudm durieudm2018年09月18日 14:07 所貼文 | 0 評論 | 留下評論

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