Thursday, February 9, 2017

Ochlockonee River State Park: Wednesday. 2-8-17


 Thursday morning:  Off to canoe the Dead River (the park is bordered on one side by the Dead R and the Ochlockonee R on the other.  Enjoy your day.
BirdMobile 



Female Red-bellied Sapsucker




Interesting shower




Female Red-bellied Woodpecker




Females have a gray forehead.  The red on the males comes up and over the head all the way to the top of the bill.




You can actually see her "red belly" for which this species was named.




Male Eastern Towhee, Florida subspecies




The male Florida sub-species has a straw-colored iris whereas the male Eastern Towhee has a dark red iris.  We like the former name, the Rufous-sided Towhee as it makes much more sense.




White-tailed Deer





Lichens: the light green patches on these trees 




These are "dual plants" which are a fungus and an algae which live together for the mutual benefit of each.  




The fungus supplies the algae with minerals and water.  The algae contains chlorophyll and uses the sun's energy to make sugar which then becomes food for the fungus.  The lichens can obtain all their water needs from moisture suspended in the air.  

An amazing relationship!








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