Moccasin Lake Park

     Weather: 77 degrees F, 30% cloud cover


     We had a visit to Moccasin Lake Park to view an Oak Hammock type of environment. Upon entering the park, at its main building, there are several different varieties of both living and stuffed creatures conveniently placed inside for educational value, and viewing pleasure. Moccasin Lake is a popular destination for Pinellas County school children, where they learn about the environment and the various types of life forms that live in it.

This is Elvis, a 29 year old American Black Vulture

     Part of the parks function is the rehabilitation of birds of prey. Currently they have the American Black Vulture, a male Bald Eagle, and a female Bald Eagle. I was informed that in the near future the park will be receiving a couple of Kestrels, which are a type of hawk. Our class took a walk down the trail, checking out the types of plants that reside in an oak hammock environment.

Here is the class, bunched up and ready for action!

     The oak hammock has a dense overhead canopy, and as its name implies, is inhabited by many species of oak trees. There were several very awesome looking Live Oak trees at this park, with their interestingly shaped trunks bending in odd directions.

This would be how the trail looks at the park.

There is a lot of small creeks running throughout Moccasin Lake Park, and it is actually pretty damp for an oak hammock

Moccasin Lake