June Education Series

Nocturnal Wildlife

After Dark in the Hammock: Eyes That Shine At Night.

Late at night in the quiet darkness in Hammock Park, an amazing group of creatures emerge to forage on the forest floor, in the trees, and in the air.  This is the fascinating world of nocturnal animals.  Asleep during the day and awake at night, they have adaptive characteristics that help them maneuver in the darkness.  Enhanced eyesight to see in the dark, amplified hearing to sense prey and danger, even echolocation to locate prey and avoid obstructions. 

Raccoons, one of Hammock Park’s nocturnal residents, have several enhanced features.  While they lack long-distance vision and color perception, they possess excellent night vision, depth perception, and “eye black” which is the famous black fur mask around their eyes.   This mask absorbs ambient light to reduce glare, allowing them to see with higher contrast in low light.  Their paws are incredibly versatile and agile and are often compared to human hands.  This agility, along with high intelligence, allows them to grip object and perform tasks like opening jars, doors, and latches.  Their sense of touch is highly developed, even more so than their sense of sight.  While popular belief is that raccoon’s constantly wash their hands, the truth is that they are using the water to enhance their sense of touch.  They use it to feel the texture, shape, and temperature of objects.  This is especially useful in the dark to determine if something they find is edible.

Tree frogs, another nocturnal creature, are known for their chorus of different mating calls.  From the green tree frog’s “quonk-quonk”, the squirrel tree frog’s nasal sounding “waaaak-waaaak”, to the dog-like “bark” of the barking tree frog, the darkness seems brighter when they sing their songs.  Not only are they musical, most tree frogs are insectivores, eating dangerous insects like mosquitoes which carry serious diseases like West Nile Virus and Encephalitis.  On a rainy day you may see a tree frog climbing up or resting on a window.  They have large, sticky toe pads which allow them to climb up slippery surfaces like glass.   Should you be lucky enough to see a tree frog on your window, be sure to thank it for helping to keep those nasty mosquitoes away.

With mosquitoes in mind, let’s move on to one of the most notoriously misunderstood nocturnal creature…the bat.  Surrounded by ominous, untrue myths, the bat deserves better acceptance and kindness.  Not only is it the only true flying mammal in existence, but it possesses incredible super powers!  One bat can eat thousands of mosquitoes in a single night!  It also pollinates plants like bananas and agave, and can live up to 40+ years in the wild.  Bats possess echolocation which allows them to track prey, estimate distance, and avoid objects at lightning speed.  Since mosquitoes and gnats fly very close to humans (in search of their own dinner) it is not uncommon to have a close encounter with a bat if outside after dark.  A bat’s echolocation allows them to fly in and out in a flash.  It can be a startling experience, but it’s harmless.  Bats do not get tangled in hair, they do not thirst for human blood (there are no vampire bats in the US)…they just want the insects flying around you.  Just thank it for keeping you safe from yet another annoying bug bite!  Better yet, purchase or build a bat house for these bug eating friends.  Bats are natural pest controllers helping to protect us from disease and annoying bites.  They truly are a remarkable creature of the night!

Virginia opossums, nine-banded armadillos, southern flying squirrels, owls and snakes are a few more Hammock Park residents that we will be introducing on our Friends of the Hammock Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/friendsofthehammock .  Throughout the month of June discover more fun facts about our nocturnal friends, including one about a raccoon straight out of America’s presidential history!  Hope you enjoy it!

Also, as we get deeper into the warm summer months please remember to use organic insecticides whenever possible.  Insecticides are a dual threat to tree frogs and other creatures.  Not only are they directly toxic and can kill, they threaten the food chain for these creatures as well.  Mosquitoes are a dangerous pest for us all, but by helping bats, tree frogs and other insectivores to thrive they help to decrease the pest problem for humans and all other creatures in return.  Essential oils like lemon eucalyptus, lemon grass citronella, lavender, and cedarwood oils can be mixed with carrier oils like jojoba, fractionated coconut, sweet almond or grapeseed oil.  You can also make a fast drying spray by mixing the essential oil with ½ cup distilled water and ½ cup witch hazel, then putting it in a glass spray bottle.  Never put essential oils directly on skin unless diluted with a carrier oil or distilled water and Witch Hazel.  Read about these essential oils online for DIY recipes(ratios of essential per mix) and safety information as there are restrictions on some oils for use on children.  You can buy ready-to-use sprays at health stores and coops as well.

If you’d rather use repellents in your yard you can use ready-to-use organic sprays like Maggie’s Farm Mosquito and Tick Killer, EcoSmart Organic Mosquito Fogger and Neem Oil.

All of these options are organic and will not harm humans, pets and wildlife.  Let’s keep a well balanced, healthy ecosystem so we can thrive for many years to come.

Also, remember our friend the bat?  Placing bat houses in the yard dramatically increases the success of insect control. 

Water Birds and Waders

Grace on the Water: The Hammock’s Feathered Fisherman

Looking out into the trees as you stroll along the boardwalk, or one of the many trails, it becomes evident that Hammock Park is home to many varieties of birds.  High in the trees you can see them fluttering about and hear them calling to each other and singing there beautiful melodies.  As you continue to walk the trails you will see a mangrove swamp, tidal creeks, canals and Lake Suemer.  In these areas you will see some truly amazing water and wading birds like anhingas, mallard and wood ducks, great blue herons, roseate spoonbills, green herons, double crested cormorants, and even yellow crowned night herons.  If you stop and take the time to watch these birds you will be drawn into a different world unknown to other birds.

Anhingas and double crested cormorants are both water birds that dive in the water in search of food.  They are both excellent swimmers but have one unusual trait that you would not expect a water bird to possess.   They lack waterproof feathers!  You will often see them standing on the shore or on rocks with their wings outstretched.  It’s an unusual sight to see, but for these birds it is necessary for drying their wings so that they can fly.

Anhingas are also fun to watch as they swim through the water.  Many people think that what they are seeing is a snake instead of a bird.  When anhingas swim their body is submerged leaving only their head and neck above the surface of the water.  This behavior allows their wings to become waterlogged, reducing buoyancy, thus allowing them to efficiently dive, submerge and stalk fish underwater.  This behavior explains their nickname “snakebird”.

The great blue heron is the largest heron in North America, standing 3-4 ½ feet tall with a wingspan of 5 ½-6 ½ feet and a weight of 4-8 pounds.  Their nests can be as high as 100 feet above the ground and they often nest in groups ranging from 5-500 nests!  These nesting colonies are called “heronries” and are quite the sight to see.

Green herons, as well as the great blue heron, are patient feeders.  You will see them wading ever so slowly through the water looking for food, and then standing very still, waiting for their prey to get within striking distance.   Then with quick precision they will strike with their spear like bill.  Green herons take it one step further and often use twigs, feathers, and insects to lure their prey.  Patient and intelligent!

Roseate spoonbills are a favorite among birdwatchers.  They are the only spoonbill to possess brilliant pink feathers.  Often mistaken for flamingos, they have a defining feature which instantly sets them apart.  They have a spoon shaped bill.   While wading in the water they use this bill in a sweeping motion from side to side, quickly closing their bill when they touch something edible.  They get their pink color from what they eat.  While roseate spoonbills eat fish, their main diet is crustaceans that have dined on seaweed.  This creates their amazing plumage. 

These are just a few fun facts about some of the birds that visit Hammock Park.  Join us on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/friendsofthehammock , to continue with May’s educational series about the wonderful water and wading birds at Hammock Park. 

Also, just a quick reminder; make sure that you take out what you bring into the park.  We have had sightings of birds entangled in fishing line.  Unless the bird is able to be captured we cannot help them.   A clean environment provides a healthy ecosystem that all creature need to survive. 

Butterflies of the Hammock “Wings of Color: Pollinators in Motion”

One of the hidden gems in Hammock Park is the butterfly garden.  Amongst the beds of native Florida plants you will find some of nature’s most beautiful, delicate, and delightful insect…the butterfly.  These amazing insects flutter from plant to plant in search of nectar, as well as finding a place to lay their eggs.  Known for being an important pollinator, they help to fertilize plants enabling them to seed and produce fruit.  All of which helps the plants to be healthy and return year after year.

There are many varieties of butterflies that visit the garden including;  monarchs, gulf fritillaries, white peacocks, Eastern tiger swallowtails, black swallowtails, cloudless sulfurs, orange barred sulfurs, and giant swallowtails, to name a few. 

Not only are these magnificent butterflies beautiful and fun to watch, they have many interesting things to note that you may not be aware of.   For instance, did you know that butterflies do not have mouths or teeth?  Instead they have a tube-like tongue, called a proboscis, that they use to drink liquids like nectar, rotting fruit, and even mud-water!  Their taste receptors are located on their legs.  They use these receptors to locate food, but also to determine if a leaf is suitable for laying eggs.  Each of the different butterfly species requires specific plants to lay their eggs.  These plants are referred to as “host” plants.  For example, Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed because their caterpillars will only eat milkweed to survive.  This is also a natural defense mechanism.  As the caterpillars feed they begin to take on the essence of the milkweed.  When the caterpillar creates its chrysalis, the adult butterfly that transforms will emerge tasting like milkweed.  This aids in deterring predators as it is not a preferred taste!

There are many more fun facts about butterflies that we will share in our educational series on the Friends of Hammock Facebook page.  Join us as we present “Butterflies of the Hammock” featuring interesting facts throughout the month of April.

Don’t forget to visit Hammock Park’s butterfly garden.  Sit down on one of the benches, sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings while watching the butterflies as they dance amongst the plants.  You will not be disappointed.

Life in the Canals: What Swims Beneath the Waterways of the Hammock

When most visitors walk the shaded trails of Hammock Park, their eyes are drawn upward to the canopy of live oaks or outward toward the winding paths. But just beyond the boardwalks and beside the Cedar Trail lies a quieter world — one that moves beneath the surface.

The canals of Hammock Park are more than scenic water features. They are living ecosystems that support fish, turtles, wading birds, amphibians, and countless microscopic organisms. These waterways connect the upland forest to surrounding coastal environments and play an essential role in the park’s ecological balance.

A Hidden Community of Fish

Beneath the surface, you’ll find a variety of fish species adapted to brackish and freshwater conditions. Mullet, minnows, sunfish, and seasonal species may move through depending on rainfall and tidal influence. These fish are not just residents — they are the foundation of the food web.

Small fish feed on algae and aquatic insects. Larger fish feed on smaller fish. And above the surface, birds like herons and ospreys rely on these populations for survival. When fish are thriving, it signals clean water and a balanced ecosystem.

Turtles and Reptiles Along the Banks

If you pause quietly along the canal edges, you may spot a turtle basking on a log. Species such as red-eared sliders and peninsula cooters use the canals for feeding and thermoregulation. These reptiles play a valuable role by consuming aquatic vegetation and small organisms, helping maintain balance.

You may also see the occasional water snake gliding silently across the surface. While often misunderstood, non-venomous water snakes are a natural part of Florida’s wetland systems and help control fish and amphibian populations.

Amphibians: The Health Indicators

Frogs and tadpoles are especially important in canal ecosystems. Amphibians are highly sensitive to changes in water quality, making them natural “early warning systems” for environmental stress. Their presence suggests that the canals remain relatively healthy.

After heavy rains, you may hear the chorus of frogs echoing through the Hammock — a reminder that these waterways are alive and active even when unseen.

Wading Birds: The Visible Hunters

The canals are feeding grounds for wading birds such as herons, egrets, ibis, and anhingas. These birds depend on shallow water and healthy fish populations to survive. Watching a great blue heron stand motionless before striking is a lesson in patience and precision.

These birds connect land and water ecosystems. Their nesting and feeding success directly reflect the health of the canals below.

Why Canal Health Matters

Waterways are often the first places to show signs of environmental stress. Pollution, litter, fishing line, and invasive plant growth can disrupt the delicate balance of aquatic life.

Healthy canals:

• Filter and move stormwater
• Support biodiversity
• Provide habitat corridors
• Sustain the food web
• Improve overall park resilience

When canals are clean and biologically active, the entire Hammock ecosystem benefits — from the tallest canopy tree to the smallest dragonfly.

How Visitors Can Help

Protecting the canals doesn’t require large actions — it requires consistent, thoughtful ones.

• Never leave trash behind.
• Properly dispose of fishing line.
• Stay on designated trails to prevent erosion.
• Avoid feeding wildlife.
• Report unusual wildlife behavior or pollution concerns.

Small behaviors add up. Every visitor plays a role in keeping the waterways healthy.

Look Beneath the Surface

The next time you walk along Cedar Trail or pause near a boardwalk, take a moment to look into the water. Notice the ripples. Watch for movement. Listen for splashes.

The canals of Hammock Park are not silent. They are full of life — life that supports the birds overhead, the trees along the banks, and the balance of the entire ecosystem.

When we understand what swims beneath, we better understand what it takes to protect what surrounds us.