Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey

by Kirsten Hines

Brilliant wildlife photography and intimate storytelling showcase Florida’s animal species within their natural habitats    Kirsten Hines provides a captivating visual and narrative journey into the ecology of Florida’s animals in  Wild Florida . The intimate and artistic photographs in this book introduce readers to the wide variety of wildlife that thrives within the state. In essays that accompany her images, Hines offers stories and observations about each species and encourages conservation of the natural areas that support them.      Hines takes readers along with her on excursions through swamps and into camping stakeouts, sharing experiences such as watching the movements of Florida black bears for months to capture the perfect shot of a mother with her cubs. She introduces an array of species that call the state home, from the iconic Florida panther and the endemic red widow spider to the loggerhead sea turtle and even invasive species like the Burmese python. These pages feature Magnificent Frigatebirds from the tropical environments of the south, beavers from the temperate north, and animals that live within the gradual blending of environmental borders between these climatic extremes across the peninsula.       Wild Florida  also highlights the unique ecosystems where these creatures can be found, including locations such as Ocala National Forest, Big Cypress National Preserve, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Everglades National Park. Hines’s patience in studying the secret lives of Florida’s animals results in surprising revelations about the hidden wonders that readers can even discover in their own backyards.      This book not only champions the diversity of Florida’s natural features, but also inspires readers to take action to ensure the treasures of the state remain protected. These elegantly presented words and images make a strong case for preserving the beauty and wonder of the state’s animals and their environments for years to come. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals

328 pages, Hardcover

Published November 14, 2023

Reviews

[Robin Berman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author highlighted various photographs of animals, with each one was a description of what she experienced while photographing each animal. It's more like a personal wildlife journal. In some cases, she described how difficult it was to find the animal she was seeking. I did learn about some new animals to me.
She is a biologist and photographer much like myself- I enjoy photographing and learning about wildlife and nature.
The book ended with a chapter highlighting some ways humans have helped wildlife.

Notes and highlights-

1. Pg 16 - she saw Florida Panther tracks in Palm Beach County. I'm wondering where exactly?
2. Florida sand skink is a sand swimmer. It swims through sand dunes and is found only in Central Florida's ancient dune ridges.
3. She witnessed 2 Florida Black bears having sex when she finally spotted bears at a private backyard in Golden Gates Estates.
4. Pg 52- Florida Cracker horse are critically endangered, once only 31 have risen to over 1000. There are a few wild populations such as at Paynes Prairie (Bolen Bluff trail- where there are also wild Buffalo 🐃!) There are also Florida Cracker cattle. Herds can be seen in various conservation areas such as the Fred Babcock/Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area.
5. Various monkey populations are mentioned that are a result of either intentional being let go or accidentally let go.
6. Reef Gecko is Florida's only native gecko.
7. Florida manatees are starving. A program to feed them lettuce was implemented at Indian River Lagoon. "Manatees are Florida's canaries of estuarine ecosystem health, and if recent years are any indication, our marine environment is in trouble. " Pg 94
8. There are migratory and sedentary monarchs. The one's that stayed in Florida became part of a genetically distinct nonmigratory population. Planting native milkweed is important because it doesn't bloom in fall and winter, thus not luring migratory Monarchs away from their journey. This protects migratory monarchs.
9. She watched Hispid cotton rats doing rough foreplay and then have sex, and after each "attack" the male would lick his genitals. Pg. 158.
10. President Theodore Roosevelt set aside the 1st national forest reserves and established what became the National Wildlife Refuge System, which started in Florida with his declaration of the Pelican Island National Bird Reservation in 1903.
11. Marjorie Stoneman Douglas continued her conservation work by saving Big Cypress National Preserve land area after she saved the Everglades.
12. As of 2021, about 30% of Florida's lands are under some level of conservation protection.
13. Scientists and environmentalists around the world set 30% of protected land as a target to be reached by 2030 to stop the effects of the biodiversity crisis. Pg. 188
14. An initial wildlife Corridor map was proposed in the 1980s as a conservation approach connecting reserves and natural areas. I have been following current developments in expanding the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and it's extremely important.
15. "The dream of a Florida Wildlife Corridor, an ambitious plan requiring roughly 8 million acres be acquired to connect nearly 10 million acres of conservation lands already in place, continues inching toward reality" pg 193 hope it can allow the Florida Panther to reincorporate Central Florida and beyond into its range.
16. "Every patch of nature matters, and trust me, if you provide it, the wildlife will come." Pg. 261
17. Miami Blue butterfly- pg. 267- I would love to see one. I think they are only found in Bahia Honda state park and an island in Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Hurricane Andrew destroyed the Key Biscayne population.
18. Florida Bonneted bat - look into where it's found in Florida
19. Florida Grasshopper Sparrow- I will be following this critically endangered bird to see if it's numbers increase.

[William Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Kirsten Hines created an amazing trifecta: great photography, great storytelling and great topic! “Wild Florida” shows the animal diversity that Florida contains and how unique they are. These animals deserve our attention and care. I’m glad Florida is doing its part to conserve and help our state’s creatures. Some animals featured in the book that captured my attention were:

1. The Gray Fox
2. The Red Wolf
3. Manatee
4. Bottlenose Dolphin
5. Bonneted Bat
6. Hummingbird
7. Sandhill Crane
8. Black Bear
9. Florida Panther
10. American Alligator

You will enjoy this book!

[Tebel Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author states in the preface, "I delved deeply into the literature to ensure historic & scientific accuracy of my facts," and then goes on to violate that approach in the text. Photos are good, anyway.

[Vicki L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has great photograps of the animal’s discussed the narrations about the animals whose pictures in the book.

[Angel Ohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best ways to experience Florida’s wildlife through reading. I felt as though I was meeting the animals featured in this book in-person and in their natural habitats. The writing is charming, the photos are full of life and the combination of words and images tell a story that I hear whenever I visit the parks and wild-lands described on these pages. Kirsten Hines has created a window into the world of these creatures that is rich with understanding and appreciation. I highly recommend this book to anyone living in Florida, anyone thinking of visiting Florida and anyone who wants to experience what makes Florida truly special.