Saturday, September 12, 2015

Philippe Park- Austin Mutnansky



Philippe Park
Philippe Park is the oldest park in Pinellas County, and also has the only artifact left from the Toboggan Indians in Pinellas County.   The park is a mostly managed park, with our meeting point featuring a mowed lawn and a very low percentage Canopy cover.  It was a hot, humid day (90 degrees Fahrenheit), and the park was built along the intercoastal.   There were squirrels along bench tables where we were located to start, as well as oak trees and palm trees. 

                The entire group walked to a location and stayed for around 15 to 20 minutes.  In this area, the group and I saw:
·         Spanish Moss
·         Wild Weeds, Grass
·         Cabbage Palms
·         Fire ants
·         Butterflies
·         Green Lizards
·         Water Oaks, Live Oaks
·         Common Beggar-ticks
·         Cicadas
·         Virginia Creeper
·         Wild Coffee






One of the trees had screws placed in it, as well as a long wire connecting the two older oaks together.  It was interesting to see how humans could impact the environment, and I was curious to know what kind of impact this had on the environment. 

On our walk over, air potatoes could be seen blocking the mangroves.  Near the water, a strong scent of what seemed like Sangria filled the air.  This could’ve been a combination of old fruit and green plant life. 
All 3 types of mangroves could be seen:

The entire group stopped again for 15 to 20 minutes to examine the area. The group and I saw:
·         Water moccasin?
·         Mangroves, Palm Trees
·         Pinecones on ground, sand
·         Much less Spanish moss
·         Black Mangroves-numadifores
·         Closer to water, different soil (Pines, sand, acidic)

We also spotted manatees at the end of our trip!


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