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Visiting Florida

Started by Guest_bmeyer_* , Jan 23 2011 07:58 PM

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_bmeyer_*

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Posted 23 January 2011 - 07:58 PM

Hello! I plan to visit Florida during the time period of Feb 7-14. I think I will fly into Orlando, then travel to Tampa and then head south. Anyway, I am looking for suggestions of places to snorkel and/or see native fishes. I would really like to see wild valisineria, seahorses and pipe fish, and maybe pigmy sunfish (ellasoma). I also have an interest in places that have tropical water lilies on exhibit. Orchids for sale. Maybe an open to the public citrus grove. Any suggestions would be great.

Bob Meyer

#2 Guest_EricaWieser_*

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Posted 23 January 2011 - 08:43 PM

On page 131 of this pdf file http://biology.unm.e...et al. 2009.pdf it has boxes for the locations of Elassoma gilberti and Elassoma okefenokee. I've never snorkeled in Florida before and am curious; how do you avoid alligators?

Citrus grove touring info: http://www.visitflor...da-citrus-grove
Florida orchid info: http://www.orchidsites.com/
A botanical garden: http://www.mckeegarden.org/

#3 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

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Posted 25 January 2011 - 11:38 PM

You leave the alligators alone and they leave you alone. They are mostly non-aggressive. Mostly.

#4 Guest_bmeyer_*

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Posted 28 January 2011 - 12:46 AM

I'm not sure how I will avoid the alligators. I have dealt with a few of them in the past and they are scary. I just try to snorkel in water that is clear enough that I can see what is in the water.

I looked at a snorkeling site and it listed a great marine site. They said it was good except for all of the sharks. I think I am more scared of sharks than I am of alligators. I've had sharks 'bump' me a couple of times.

Anyway, thanks for all the great links!

Bob Meyer

On page 131 of this pdf file http://biology.unm.e...et al. 2009.pdf it has boxes for the locations of Elassoma gilberti and Elassoma okefenokee. I've never snorkeled in Florida before and am curious; how do you avoid alligators?

Citrus grove touring info: http://www.visitflor...da-citrus-grove
Florida orchid info: http://www.orchidsites.com/
A botanical garden: http://www.mckeegarden.org/

#5 Guest_EricaWieser_*

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Posted 28 January 2011 - 08:26 AM

O_O Wow, you are very brave!
I'm such a wimp; I'm used to Lake Erie, where the largest thing going to bother a snorkeler is a zebra mussel. XD When I hear stories of people being bumped by sharks it makes me realize how brave you all must be!

#6 Guest_mneilson_*

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Posted 28 January 2011 - 03:31 PM

Hello! I plan to visit Florida during the time period of Feb 7-14. I think I will fly into Orlando, then travel to Tampa and then head south. Anyway, I am looking for suggestions of places to snorkel and/or see native fishes. I would really like to see wild valisineria, seahorses and pipe fish, and maybe pigmy sunfish (ellasoma). I also have an interest in places that have tropical water lilies on exhibit. Orchids for sale. Maybe an open to the public citrus grove. Any suggestions would be great.

Bob Meyer

Vallisneria can be found around the state (http://florida.plant...nt.aspx?id=2090): Rainbow River is a great place for it, but that's a bit north of Tampa; I'm pretty sure there is some in the Hillsborough River as well. For trying to see pipefish/sea horses, your best bets are to snorkel around Thalassia beds, with good spots being Ft. DeSoto (just south of St. Petersburg), and Fred Howard/Sunset parks in Tarpon Springs. However, you might not actually see them while snorkeling (I've only ever gotten them while seining...never seen while snorkeling). For Elassoma and other freshwater natives, the Florida Collecting Guide (http://www.aka.org/s.../pages/fcg.html) is a great resource for fish hunting around FL. If you want some specific sites, let me know....I live in Tampa, and can give some good directions.