Fiery clouds form over the Gulf of Mexico in Hagen's Cove as Joe Guthrie photographs in the waning light.
Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./Carlton Ward Photography
A tube change was needed due to an angry thorn while crossing the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area.
Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./Carlton Ward Photography
Herpetologist Zach Forsburg handles an eastern box turtle found in Waukeenah, FL. The males of this species exhibit striking red eyes.
Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./Carlton Ward Photography
Joe Guthrie explores a lowland mixed hardwood forest on a private conservation property in Waukeenah, Florida.
Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./Carlton Ward Photography
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition team visited the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee to talk with lawmakers about investing in Corridor conservation.
Photo: Alex Morrison
Photo: Alex Morrison
Photo: Alex Morrison
Carlton Ward Jr drying out and warming up at the end of a long, wet (and beautiful) hike on the Florida Trail,
Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./Carlton Ward Photography
This stretch of the Aucilla River is often called "Aucilla Sinks" for the way the river disappears, then reemerges as circular sink holes in the limestone bedrock.
Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./Carlton Ward Photography
Mallory Dimmitt scouts the St Marks River after an overnight 20-mile backpack on the Florida Trail.
Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./Carlton Ward Photography
Mallory Dimmitt crosses the (cold!) St Marks River after an overnight 20-mile backpack on the Florida Trail.
Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./Carlton Ward Photography
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Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition - 2015
Expedition team takes conservation to the capitol
During Week 4, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition team covered a lot of ground. They biked through the Big Bend Wildlife Management area, met with legislators in Tallahassee, hiked the Aucilla sinks trail, backpacked through the St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge. All the while they documented landscapes and wildlife they encountered.
Below are excerpts from the team's Facebook posts.
February 1, 2015:
It's hard to believe that we're already starting Week 4 of the 10 week / 70 day Expedition! We're way overdue on thanking all the partners who have made each week possible and special. For the pre-launch festivities and Week 1, we're grateful to the Florida Aquarium, the Black family and Creek Ranch on Lake Hatchineha, FL, The Nature Conservancy in Florida, Southwest Florida Water Management District, MyFWC, Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department, Withlacoochee RV Park and Canoe Rental, and all of our media partners. You can view all of the sponsors who support the Expedition on our website (www.floridawildlifecorridor.org).
From Waukeenah, Florida:
Joe Guthrie explores a lowland mixed hardwood forest on a private conservation property in Waukeenah, Florida, where resident landowners have been restoring the forest for three decades. The Florida Wildlife Corridor depends on a combination of public and private conservation lands working together as a whole.
Herpetologist Zach Forsburg handles an eastern box turtle found during Expedition Day 24 in Waukeenah, FL. The males of this species exhibit striking red eyes and both genders have intricate yellow markings across their domed shells. The average lifespan of a box turtle is 50 years with some living to 100 years.
February 3, 2015:
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition team visits the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee on day 25 to talk with lawmakers about investing in Corridor conservation. Photo by Alex Morrison.
February 4, 2015:
Beautiful hike on the Aucillla sinks trail this morning; now we begin backpacking s flooded trail through St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge.
More information about the Florida Trail:
The Florida Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States currently running 1,000 miles (1,600 km), with a total of 1,300 miles (2,100 km) planned, from Big Cypress National Preserve (between Miami and Naples, Florida along the Tamiami Trail) to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola Beach. Also known as the Florida National Scenic Trail (which applies only to its federally certified segments), the Florida Trail provides hiking and backpacking opportunities and is within an hour of most Floridians. The Florida National Scenic Trail is designated as a National Scenic Trail by the National Trails System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543).)
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