This trip had fantastic light. With it getting into the summer heat, we’re trying to time our adventures for early morning, which is also when more creatures are about, and the mist is rising to meet the soft light.

This trip was also two days after a huge rainstorm, the first summer storm. Our local airport recorded 3.79 inches on Thursday, bringing the Withlacoochee River up over the canoe dock.

This is what the cypress are made for. The Florida Trail we walked follows the narrow band of pine between the cyprus, which experiences regular flooding, and the reliably dry oak. Only twice did we need to detour, and then only briefly, though frequently the flood waters were only yards away. Though with such sandy soil, even places that had standing water a day ago were drained and firm for walking.

Like the snake at Alligator Lake, this turtle was minding its business, preferring we not stop to look.

These spiders were numerous. Probably a member of dolomedes, a fishing spider.

There were numerous caterpillars, this, a tussock moth caterpillar, was the most frequent. The female moths have no wings and the adults live only a few days.

A Fiery Searcher, eats caterpillars.