Gainesville "Old Florida" Birding and Nature Festival

Time: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Tour Leader: Alachua County
Tour Description: Meet the Alachua County tour leader at the Hampton front desk and caravan to Barr Hammock. Hike a portion of the trail and view the river otters, wading birds, and other avian species in this beautiful wetland, Gainesville's miniature Everglades.
Meeting place: Hampton Inn Front Desk

Time: 7:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Leader: John Reed www.johnreedphoto.com
Description: A “hands-on” field workshop at The La Chua Trail of Paynes Prairie, a perfect site for bird flight photography as well as nature photography in general. The site is home to many alligators, great blue herons, white ibises, American egrets, the endangered woodstork, deer and if we’re lucky we’ll photograph the wild Spanish horses and bison that reside in the park. A short hike takes us to a boardwalk leading to a deck overlooking a Alachua Lake, which leads directly into a sinkhole-Alachua Sink. With our early start we should have many opportunities for a wide variety of birds. Depending on activity level and group interest, we can then move on up the trail for other opportunities with wading birds fishing and hunting. Of course, those wanting some gator photos too won’t have to work hard here. Best suited for DSLR cameras but everybody’s welcome. Advice and tips will be offered throughout the morning building on the seminar Friday but attendance at that seminar is not a prerequisite. Maximum attendance of only 12 to insure John will be available for one-on-one help or questions as needed.
Restrictions: None – some walking required but all level and not long distance
What to Bring: Camera, tripod, water, insect repellant
Where to meet: La Chua Trail parking area, 7:00am. Maps to follow.

Time: 9 AM - 11 AM
Fee: Registration does not include $4 per vehicle entry to the park.
Leader: Brack Barker
Description: This tour will take us to the only State Geological Site in the Florida Park Service system. The Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site is a giant sinkhole feature, formed over thousands of years due to the nature of water interacting with the underlying limestone rock. We'll discuss how sinkholes are formed, where they may occur in Florida, and the economic impact to humans and wildlife. This karst feature is not unique to Florida either, and we'll discuss other areas on the globe where karst occurs. Certain flora and fauna may only be found in a karst setting, which we'll take time to try and locate on our walk which includes an upland hardwood hammock. The walk includes a descent down into the sinkhole via a series of stairs, so participant should be in fairly good shape to not only descend, but also ascend back up! Your guide is a Certified Florida Master Naturalist with over 40 years of dry caving experience in Florida and the Bahamas who also leads cave tours for a local parks and recreation department.
What to bring: Wear sturdy walking/hiking shoes to help your walking of the stairs; binoculars and cameras; water, snacks; insect repellent; field guides; and any required medications. Separate park entrance fee of $4 per car.
Where to meet: Hunter's Crossing Publix Shopping Center at the intersection of NW 43rd street, and NW 53rd avenue in NW Gainesville. We'll meet in front of the Subway shop.

Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Leader: Joni Ellis and Ivor Kincaid
Where: Matheson Museum Synoptic Garden
Description: Alachua Audubon Society in partnership with Alachua Conservation Trust and Optics for the Tropics are hosting an International Migratory Bird Day Children's Birding Camp! Children will learn to identify birds, use binoculars, use clues to find letterboxes hidden in the synoptic Garden, and more in four stations. Join us for the fun and educational FREE event! You do NOT need to purchase a festival registration ticket for this event, but you must register here for each child attending the event for FREE.

Time: 10:00am 12:00pm
Tour Leader: Anna Prizzia, Forage Farm
Description: Just 20 minutes south of Gainesville is the gorgeous Prairie Creek Conservation Area, home to Forage Farm. The farm is home to a host of native pollinators and a great place to learn about the best ways to attract them and protect them. We will discuss the basics about our native pollinators in Florida and have a hands-on native bee house building activity.
Any restrictions: You will be outdoors, so please bring a sun hat, sunscreen, bug repellant if you wish, and wear close-toed shoes. Bring water and snacks.
Meeting Place: Forage Farm of Alachua Conservation Trust. 7204 SE CR 234 (Turn right on 2082, off Route 20 from Gainesville, then right again on 234 and go about 1 mile We are on right - look for Alachua COnservation Trust sign).

Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Leader: Lars Anderson, Adventure Outpost
Description: Ichetucknee is one of the stars of Florida’s “Springs Heartland.” When you see it you’ll understand why. While its crystal clarity and lush growth of submerged vegetation is typical of Florida’s 900+ artesian springs, the fact that it maintains this clarity for its entire six-mile run to the Santa Fe (compliments of nine named springs and a number of unnamed ones), is exceptional.

IchetuckneeAsk a hydrologist and he’ll tell you Ichetucknee’s story begins long before its emergence from its namesake spring in a namesake park. He’ll tell you about its spring shed–the underground equivalent of those above-ground watersheds so nicely diagrammed in our grade-school texts that show rain water running down hills and valleys into rivers.

If he’s feeling brave, he might begin at the beginning, describing a time when Florida was under a shallow sea and animal remains settled on the bottom. This accumulated and compacted for millions of years to form a layer of limestone 1,000 – 2,000 feet thick in places. He’ll tell you about the vast network of hollow channels that formed in this rock and now carry underground streams and reservoirs of water called the Floridan Aquifer. It is water from this aquifer that makes up the bulk of water gushing from the springs of Ichetucknee.

By this point, our impassioned hydrologist will likely be alone–maybe with one or two sympathetic companions. If you happen to be one of them and foolishly feign a remnant of interest, he’s likely to continue with a description of some creeks in Lake City that disappear into sink holes and join the underground channels of the aquifer as they course towards their eventual reemergence at the Ichetucknee springs. He’ll watch your eyes as he makes this last statement to make sure you understand the implications. “Everything that washes into those creeks goes into the aquifer–our drinking water!” he’ll say. “And some of it will emerge at these springs, where it will pass through the gills, wash the leaves and quench the thirst of every living thing it passes between here and the Gulf of Mexico.” These springs aren’t the beginning or the end of Ichetucknee’s story, they are the middle–a brief interlude while the river does a set change.

As it gushes from the head springs to begin its six mile journey toward Santa Fe river, Ichetucknee begins as a narrow stream threading between 15 foot high walls of limestone. Sculpted by quick flowing water for thousands of years, the rock formations along this stretch are a wonderful contrast to the scenery we typically see on other Florida rivers.

Soon, the high banks move further apart and become obscured by a fantastic variety of aquatic plant life and trees. Another mile and several springs bring us into a nice cypress forest which lines the river for the rest of the way.

By the end of the six mile run (a couple of miles beyond where we’ll end this trip), the Ichetucknee’s springs have combined to form a substantial river which adds nearly 233 million gallons of water to the Santa Fe river every day.
Meeting Place: Meet on the river, maps will be provided

Time: 10:00am
Leader: Danny Lyons, Tree Climbing Instructor, Canopy Climbers, LLC
Description: Let's Climb Trees! Ascend into a majestic Live oak canopy and experience the enchanting sights and sounds of arboreal "Old Florida." Enjoy a one-hour tree-climbing adventure, overlooking beautiful Newnan's Lake, equipped with your binoculars and camera to take in the natural beauty of Palm Point Park.

You can do this! Virtually anyone* can climb trees with our safe, tree-friendly arborist climbing system. We use ropes and saddles to sustainably climb into the treetops and explore the forest canopy.

Palm Point's surrounding forest is home to a wide variety of butterflies and local birds and is visited by migratory birds as well. Birds commonly seen at Palm Point include Osprey, Bald Eagle, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Red-eyed Vireo, Egret, Ibis, Heron, Cormorant, Prothonotary Warblers, Wild Turkeys, Loons, and Summer Tanager. According to the Alachua Audubon, during Spring migration, "American Redstart and Cape May, Black-throated Blue, and Blackpoll Warblers are among the few fairly reliable species" at Palm Point.

What to Bring: Water, energy bar/snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, eyewear/protection, camera, binoculars, any required medications and especially a cheerful sense of adventure.

What to Wear: Wear long pants and comfortable, breathable clothing, preferably made of stretchy fabric. Denim jeans are not recommended. Wear light hiking shoes. Please do not wear flip-flops or sandals.

Where to meet: Meet at the parking lot of Palm Point Park, no more or less than 5-10 minutes prior to your Event Time Slot.

*Participants must be 10 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must sign Liability Waivers. We can often accommodate people with mobility or physical disabilities. Please contact Canopy Climbers prior to the event to let us know more about your individual needs and capabilities.

Time: 11:30am
Leader: Danny Lyons, Tree Climbing Instructor, Canopy Climbers, LLC
Description: Let's Climb Trees! Ascend into a majestic Live oak canopy and experience the enchanting sights and sounds of arboreal "Old Florida." Enjoy a one-hour tree-climbing adventure, overlooking beautiful Newnan's Lake, equipped with your binoculars and camera to take in the natural beauty of Palm Point Park.

You can do this! Virtually anyone* can climb trees with our safe, tree-friendly arborist climbing system. We use ropes and saddles to sustainably climb into the treetops and explore the forest canopy.

Palm Point's surrounding forest is home to a wide variety of butterflies and local birds and is visited by migratory birds as well. Birds commonly seen at Palm Point include Osprey, Bald Eagle, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Red-eyed Vireo, Egret, Ibis, Heron, Cormorant, Prothonotary Warblers, Wild Turkeys, Loons, and Summer Tanager. According to the Alachua Audubon, during Spring migration, "American Redstart and Cape May, Black-throated Blue, and Blackpoll Warblers are among the few fairly reliable species" at Palm Point.

What to Bring: Water, energy bar/snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, eyewear/protection, camera, binoculars, any required medications and especially a cheerful sense of adventure.

What to Wear: Wear long pants and comfortable, breathable clothing, preferably made of stretchy fabric. Denim jeans are not recommended. Wear light hiking shoes. Please do not wear flip-flops or sandals.

Where to meet: Meet at the parking lot of Palm Point Park, no more or less than 5-10 minutes prior to your Event Time Slot.

*Participants must be 10 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must sign Liability Waivers. We can often accommodate people with mobility or physical disabilities. Please contact Canopy Climbers prior to the event to let us know more about your individual needs and capabilities.

Time: 12:30pm to 2:30 p.m.
Leader: John Reed www.johnreedphoto.com
Description: This classroom session will cover the basic fundamentals of close-up photography for flowers and those things often found on them such as bees, butterflies, dragonflies and so on. You will learn how to create pleasing photos using both macro lenses as well as attachments for any lens. In fact, you’ll even see how to get macro “appearing” photos with a wide variety of lenses. The class is based on DSLR cameras but point and shoot cameras are at very much at home with this type of photography and many concepts covered are applicable to them as well. All experience levels are more than welcome.
What to Bring: Interest, curiosity, questions.
Where to meet: Alachua County Downtown Headquarters Library 4th Floor Meeting Room

Time: 1 - 5 PM
Min/Max: 5/10
Leader: Brack Barker
Description: The Potano Paddling Trail is located on Newnan's Lake (Pithlachocco) where we'll paddle the Prairie Creek portion, downstream through wetlands and bottomland type habitats. Our tour of around three hours, will offer us the opportunity to observe herons, bald eagles, anhingas, belted kingfishers, and possibly whitetail deer, otters, and bison. The bison may appear as we skirt the Paynes Prairie property line, where these large mammals reside. We'll discuss the original inhabitants of the area, what they ate, how they utilized the waterways, and accounts of local history from the Seminole Indian Wars. Your guide has a BA degree in Anthropology from the University of Florida with field experience in archaeology working on pre-historic and historical sites in Florida and Georgia.
What to bring: wear clothes suitable for kayaking and the potential for getting wet; water/snacks; sun protection, insect repellent; change of clothes/towel for afterwards; camera/binoculars; shoes that can get wet/muddy and will stay on your feet; and any required medications.
Kayaks and equipment provided.
Where to meet: Earl Powers County Park and Boat Ramp, SR 20 east side of Gainesville.
Special note: we'll have to shuttle vehicles after unloading kayaks to the take out point before getting on the water.

Time: 02:00pm
Leader: Danny Lyons, Tree Climbing Instructor, Canopy Climbers, LLC
Description: Let's Climb Trees! Ascend into a majestic Live oak canopy and experience the enchanting sights and sounds of arboreal "Old Florida." Enjoy a one-hour tree-climbing adventure, overlooking beautiful Newnan's Lake, equipped with your binoculars and camera to take in the natural beauty of Palm Point Park.

You can do this! Virtually anyone* can climb trees with our safe, tree-friendly arborist climbing system. We use ropes and saddles to sustainably climb into the treetops and explore the forest canopy.

Palm Point's surrounding forest is home to a wide variety of butterflies and local birds and is visited by migratory birds as well. Birds commonly seen at Palm Point include Osprey, Bald Eagle, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Red-eyed Vireo, Egret, Ibis, Heron, Cormorant, Prothonotary Warblers, Wild Turkeys, Loons, and Summer Tanager. According to the Alachua Audubon, during Spring migration, "American Redstart and Cape May, Black-throated Blue, and Blackpoll Warblers are among the few fairly reliable species" at Palm Point.

What to Bring: Water, energy bar/snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, eyewear/protection, camera, binoculars, any required medications and especially a cheerful sense of adventure.

What to Wear: Wear long pants and comfortable, breathable clothing, preferably made of stretchy fabric. Denim jeans are not recommended. Wear light hiking shoes. Please do not wear flip-flops or sandals.

Where to meet: Meet at the parking lot of Palm Point Park, no more or less than 5-10 minutes prior to your Event Time Slot.

*Participants must be 10 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must sign Liability Waivers. We can often accommodate people with mobility or physical disabilities. Please contact Canopy Climbers prior to the event to let us know more about your individual needs and capabilities.

Time: 2:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Leader: Tidewater Tours
Description: The Cedar Keys make up one of the oldest bird and wildlife sanctuaries in the United States. Federally protected sanctuaries, the Cedar Keys form a chain of barrier islands ideally suited to a vast range of migratory and shore birds, including the white pelican, roseate spoonbill, and bald eagle. The variety of habitats, from salt marshes to Indian shell mounds, makes this truly a nature lover and birder’s paradise. The Suwannee River Tour travels northward along the shallow coastline for approximately 13 miles before entering the world famous Suwannee River. At this point the ecosystem changes rapidly from a primarily salt water/estuarine environment to a primarily fresh water river/swamp ecosystem. The route then extends approximately six miles up the river, including excursions into some seemingly enchanted waterways which narrow and run off the main channel. Plant and animal sightings vary according to the season.
What to Bring: Gear for a short day trip: hat, binoculars, sunscreen, snack, water, and money for lunch at a local restaurant.
Where to meet: Hampton Inn Meeting Room. This is a less than 1.5 hour trip one way. Participants will be taking their own vehicles or carpooling with other participants.

Time: 3:00pm to 5:00 p.m.
Leader: John Reed www.johnreedphoto.com
Description: This classroom session will cover the basic fundamentals of seeing, measuring, and adjusting for the light present to get the photo you want. The characteristics of light such as intensity, direction, color will all be covered. White balance, metering, metering modes, exposure and exposure compensation all will be explained to provide a sound foundation for your photo efforts. This class is suited for all camera types having the ability to use multiple shooting modes such as shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, etc and the ability to change exposure and white balance settings. Very basic point & shoot or mostly “auto” cameras simply do not provide the ability to make the adjustments covered by the class. However, if you’re thinking of stepping up to a new camera, come learn what you need to know! All experience levels are more than welcome. Time permitting there will be some hands on exercises in class also.
What to Bring: Camera, camera manual, interest, curiosity, questions
Where to meet: Alachua County Downtown Headquarters Library 4th Floor Meeting Room

Time: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Description: Lubee Bat Conservancy is an international non-profit organization working with others to save fruit bats and their habitats through research, conservation, and education.

Lubee runs a research and conservation breeding center, located 10 miles north of Gainesville Florida. The Bat Center is composed of research and conservation scientists, animal keepers and supporting personnel. The Lubee Bat Conservancy is opening their doors for festival goers for a special open house!

Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Description: Join us to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with light hors d' hourves, and speakers. Our festival long silent auction will conclude tonight and winners will be announced! Completing our festival economic impact survey will win you a free drink ticket! Festival goers are free to attend with festival registration. Cash bar. Limit-one ticket per festival registration.
Meeting Place: Hampton Inn Meeting Room

Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Description: Join us to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with light hors d' hourves, and speakers. Our festival long silent auction will conclude tonight and winners will be announced! Completing our festival economic impact survey will win you a free drink ticket! Festival goers are free to attend with festival registration. Cash bar. Limit-one ticket per festival registration.
Meeting Place: Hampton Inn Meeting Room