Ernie Caldwell Diaries.....

[wstphal]

Yeah, I figured that out AFTER posting the question. At first glance I thought this was a turning-induced event, but then I looked again & saw that it looked like the truck had been backed up onto a pile of something or other raising the back end of the bed. I also realized that the truck was hemorrhaging engine bodily fluids, which is not a good thing.

 

[Cflaguy]

And ya know.....

Yeah, I figured that out AFTER posting the question. At first glance I thought this was a turning-induced event, but then I looked again & saw that it looked like the truck had been backed up onto a pile of something or other raising the back end of the bed. I also realized that the truck was hemorrhaging engine bodily fluids, which is not a good thing.

I'm the one who has to make sure they dig that section of limerock up put fresh in. I had to get that in before they righted the truck. They were not amused.:grin01:

 

[wstphal]

I'm the one who has to make sure they dig that section of limerock up put fresh in. I had to get that in before they righted the truck. They were not amused.:grin01:

It's a job with regular paid herping! So you gotta get on their backs about spilled oil/antifreeze/etc, you still get to see the daily racer & have a chance of finding the BIG snake leaving those tracks. Me, I am thinking pit viper -- haven't seen many in the wild but have seen captive diamondbacks that were big enough to leave those marks.

 

[Cflaguy]

Daily Racer....

or should I say daily racer jr. This was a fine little fellow. Only bit me 9 or 10 times.....

 

[Cflaguy]

It was raining today......

so they called it quits at noon. I took the rst of the day to walk the land and do some herping. I found a large gopher tortoise hole, pic #1. The second is the hole along the maintainance road I believe the ED calls home. It is well hidden among the palmettos.

 

[vetusvates]

Amazing what color changes they go through, Craig.
We lived in Florida from 63-69-ish. These pictures remind me of how I miss it. We lived in Bay County (Panama City), right on the bay. In other words, cross the sand(!!) road, down the steps, and you were on the beach of the bay.

 

[wstphal]

Hi Craig! Cute little bitey baby racer!

This reminds me also of my childhood. I lived in Pinellas County from 1962 thru 1973. It wasn't as built up as I am sure it is now and there were plenty of places that looked like this that were within my reach on foot or bicycle. And my father worked at the VA Hospital in Bay Pines, and at that time the hospital backed onto basically wilderness with gators & raccoons & pit vipers of various sorts, and I got to explore there too.

I was desperately sad when we moved away from Florida. Then I learned to deal. Now I miss the Florida that was then, which is not the Florida which is now. Your pictures never fail to take me back to there and then. Thanks!

 

[Irish Eyes (Mrs.Z)]

I want a baby "daily racer"! How cute he is!

 

[Cflaguy]

No problem.....

Hi Craig! Cute little bitey baby racer!

This reminds me also of my childhood. I lived in Pinellas County from 1962 thru 1973. It wasn't as built up as I am sure it is now and there were plenty of places that looked like this that were within my reach on foot or bicycle. And my father worked at the VA Hospital in Bay Pines, and at that time the hospital backed onto basically wilderness with gators & raccoons & pit vipers of various sorts, and I got to explore there too.

I was desperately sad when we moved away from Florida. Then I learned to deal. Now I miss the Florida that was then, which is not the Florida which is now. Your pictures never fail to take me back to there and then. Thanks!

and you're welcome. It reminds me of my "hotspot" behind Sea World when I was 15 and 16.

 

[The_Thunderer]

The "Jr. Daily Racer" is just awesome! What a pretty guy!

Come to think of it, I haven't caught a Racer YET this year... Wonder what's going on!!!!

 

[Asbit]

Just found this thread and read it's entirety!! Absolutely fabulous! Thank you so much for the time and effort it took you to share with us.

 

[Cflaguy]

Your welcome....

Just found this thread and read it's entirety!! Absolutely fabulous! Thank you so much for the time and effort it took you to share with us.

Thanks for the kind words...

Today started off a good one. A saucer sized Softshell with a dinner plate sized Softshell tude.....

 

[Cflaguy]

Daily racer....

Good story here. You can see the heavy equipment to the right of the pic. I allowed this guy to reach the left before I exited the vehicle. I didn't want him going under a roller, grader, or loader. You can see the guys in the background pouring sidewalk. I got back in the truck and drove on to find the juvie (two days in a row) and you'll see the pour continuing in the background. Thats how abundant racers are at EC.

 

[Cflaguy]

Last for today....

Everyday storms moving in...and....
I spotted guess what? A racer in my rearview mirror while writing my paperwork. He got off the road before I could get to him, but you can see his tracks.

 

[Butch]

How far is this road running?

 

[Cflaguy]

It's a 4 mile....

How far is this road running?

road connecting Posner Park at I-4 and 27 to Ronald Reagan near 17-92. Eventually it will go to 527 (I think its 527). It winds and winds instead of a direct route cause there are about 8 different ranches. Only Ernie Caldwell allowed his land to be used for the road. But now the road is going in I see the ranchers clearing and grubbing in prep for sale. Thats why I'm gonna start pulling some animals off and relocating. Nearby there are several WMA.

 

[Butch]

Beautiful area, I hate to see it growing up. If you need any help in relocation be sure to let me know.

 

[Cflaguy]

I'm trying......

Beautiful area, I hate to see it growing up. If you need any help in relocation be sure to let me know.

to pin down a few of the ranchers for permission for maybe a CS field trip. At worst we can cruise the roads. Thats all I do now and look what I catch.

 

[Cflaguy]

Some really great finds....

one good, one that broke my heart.
First up, one of the largest and mosr beautiful hognose I've ever caught. Twenty three inches and about three and a half inches thick. I caught him, took him home for a night. Decided he was an old vetran who needed to live out his days at EC.
The first couple of pics I apologize. The cab of my truck is about 76 degrees, the outside 88-91. Never dawned on me a digital would fog up. I think you can see enough however to get an idea how big this hoggie is. Remember, I'm a big guy as well. In the end I did get some good shots.....

 

[Cflaguy]

A few more of the giant.....

a little bit better with the pics......