Moccasin lake field trip
Madison Bommelaere

          Our first field trip to moccasin lake was very entertaining. This was a park that I have never had the pleasure of visiting before and proved to be very beneficial. Our 3 teams were tasked with pulling invasive weeds such as Air Potato and Ceaser weeds along with the third team angling the dirt in the bird cage to enhance drainage. I was amazed to learn that the Air Potato needs no light or nutrients to grow as said by the park attendant. I was also surprised to see how long the Air Potato vine can grow, which is almost endless in length and how tall the Ceaser weed grows over 6 feet tall. Some spots that were left untouched had fields of Ceaser weed and hoards of Air Potato.

In the park we also learned of the issues of disturbing the habitat and how it creates many differences in regrowth. We came to a spot in the trail where on one side was left undisturbed but the other was clearly tampered with in some way. The disturbed side had more invasive weeds and was more open, where as the other side was more closed off with thick trees.

On the way to the lake we encountered a puddle that had a dark red tint and learned that the red color was due to the leaves in the water escreeting some type of chemical mixing with the water like dye. We also learned that that puddle was there year round due to the spring feeding the park and lake fresh spring fed water. When we got to the lake I noticed a slew of cat tails, which are native to Florida amino other tall aquatic plants surrounding the lake. I also noticed a Gar swimming about that are also native to Floridas lakes and rivers. These fish are very fun to catch because of there strong muscly body creating a great and exhilarating fight.

Overall his trip was very beneficial to me because I now can distinguish many different invasive plants and poison ivy, which I have never been able to distinguish from the other plants until now.
Although I could go on about this park forever talking about the captive birds they have for rehabilitation and all the peacocks running around my favorite part was learning about the plays that close when you touch them called the Mimosa Pudica. This plant is equipped with a defense mechanism that reacts when they are touched or disturbed and they react by closing their leaves like a clam with its shell. Even though it's was 90 degrees out and very humid, I had a great time adventuring and learning with my fellow classmates!