Today the park received around five inches of rain, following what has been a fairly typical Florida dry season. The "field" dry pond filled up, and water crossed the spillway to the wet pond for the first time. Water depth in the field was around 6-8 inches, and around two feet in the wet pond (following "bone dry" and less than a few inches, respectively, prior to today). It will be interesting to see how this flood plain affects habitat throughout the park...

Today, wildlife was abundant. Eastern Cottontails were observed for the first time. A flock of wood ducks were wading in the dry pond, and Wild Turkeys were spotted on the perimeter slopes. The heavy rains saw numerous Spadefoot Toads emerge from underground. Songbirds, especially common grackles, were everywhere.

A swallowtail kite has been spotted for the first time flying over the park; last week, on at least two separate days. Hoping to see them again and get a picture before they move on.

Also, at least two pairs of wild wood ducks have found refuge in the wet pond area, make use of the cat tail thicket there for cover.

Finally, two residents have reported seeing "rather large black snakes" in recent days. Possibly a large banded water snake, or something else? Hoping to confirm soon!

The largest butterfly in North America, the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), can now be seen making flybys through Heritage Park on a daily basis. Rarely stopping for a picture, I was able to snap a grainy shot of one from a distance along the Leonard Weaver Blvd canal a few weeks ago, and observed them flying through the Heritage Park Garden Circle today. We have Herculus Club in the Rue (citrus) family that makes a suitable host plant, and there are numerous citrus trees across the Booker Heights neighborhood. Learn more: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/50072-Papilio-cresphontes.

In other news, residents also report seeing the Barred Owl out and about in the evening, and pointed out tracks from the Racoons that come out late at night. Two residents believe they have also heard Coyotes howling, and one reported seeing a "wolf-like dog" out in the field in the pre-dawn hours. Will have to see if a Coyote observation can be confirmed in the area.