Concerns While Hiking in Florida from our Listeners

Send us Fan MailThis week, we have Mark Barrow as a guest.  Mark has written a fascinating book called Gator!: The Making of America’s Iconic Reptile, from First Encounters to Florida Man. It discusses a variety of aspects of how the gator has been woven into the culture of Florida.Mark V. Barrow, Jr. is a professor of history at Virginia Tech and the author of A Passion for Birds: American Ornithology after Audubon and Nature’s Ghosts: Confronting Extinction from the Age of Jefferson to the Age of Ecology, and Gator!: The Making of America’s Iconic Reptile, from First Encounters to Florida Man. He grew up in Gainesville, Florida―deep in the heart of Gator Country―where his fascination with the American alligator first took root.And here’s the link to Wild History, the Substack I recently started: https://markvbarrowjr.substack.com/Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we have Tiffany Bright the executive director of the Rattlesnake Conservancy, on to discuss the do's and don'ts when it comes to encountering venomous snakes while in the outdoors.To learn more about the Rattlesnake Conservancy click here:https://www.savethebuzztails.org/To get tickets or learn more about The Rattlesnake Conservancy's annual fundraiser "Get Buzzed for Buzztails" click here:https://www.savethebuzztails.org/gb4bPlease subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailRecently, we asked the public on social media what concerns they had about hiking in Florida.  There was a list long enough to do an entire series.  In this episode, we discuss the more popular concerns listed.  Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailThis past weekend, the Madcaps went to South Florida.  Ryan visited the Florida Keys and Everglades.  Chris and Chelsey visited Southwest Florida.  They share their experiences and recommendations in this episode. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailOur guest this episode is Tim Gilmore and we discuss his book “The Wilderness and Willie Browne”Tim Gilmore writes about the haunted South and the spirit of place. He’s the author of 27 books and four stage works produced at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where he teaches writing. His newest book, Memphis Wood and the Sanctified Fecund, will launch on October 15, 2026 at the Mandarin Museum in Jacksonville. Gilmore is the creator of jaxpsychogeo.com, a 14 year (thus far) project that explores Jacksonville, Florida in more than 850 nonfiction place-portraits. He has won teaching and community service awards and the Jacksonville Cultural Council’s Literary Artist of the Year award. He co-chaired Jacksonville’s Civil Rights History Timeline Committee. He has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Florida.For information about Tim’s next book launch:https://www.mandarinmuseum.org/events/lecture-seriesPlease subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailWhile folks flock to the beaches, springs, and lakes, many trails in the summer are neglected and offer some great exploring and wildlife viewing opportunities.  However, heat illness is a serious risk as well.  This week the Madcaps discuss their favorite hiking areas, strategies, and tips for hiking in the Florida summer.Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailThis week, the Madcaps discuss threats and calls to action regarding sea turtles in Florida.  We are joined by Dr Katherine Sayler, the Southeastern Representative of Defenders of Wildlife!  Katherine explains the challenges that sea turtles face while nesting in Florida's beaches as well as some things that we can all do to help!Check out Defenders of Wildlife here:  https://defenders.org/Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailThis week is a colorful journey where the Sunshine State Seekers and the Florida Excursionist discussed how they got started in their natural Florida passion projects.Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailRecently, there have been three instances of gator bites around waterways here in Florida.  Unfortunately, one of them was fatal.  Today, we have gator expert Chris Gillette on to discuss gator safety and mannerisms.  Info on Chris's wildlife sanctuary, Bellowing Acres, can be found at: https://bellowingacres.org/Social media and online store can be found at:https://www.instagram.com/gatorchrishttps://bellowing-acres.myspreadshop.com/bellowing+acres+jurassicpark?idea=672e2142e1948830e297ab53&page=2&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleASzQcVwZG9mAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp3WzUHHhz5PNm4cNBWG2XOtVoxNY51KT7pnSvYYHTfZQIVwIRidag5anVtce_aem_ZR0EzOPQgV036Y6Lds6n4APlease subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan MailThis week we have two special guests and discuss the facets gatekeeping on social media here in Florida.  Gatekeeping is often posting images or video of an area without disclosing the location. Our guests are:Tessa Skiles, who is a conservationist, underwater photographer/cinematographer, and impact producer known for her evocative, immersive storytelling that reveals the beauty and vulnerability of one of our planet’s most elusive and misunderstood natural resources: groundwater.Josh, aka FloridaGuideJosh, is a wildlife photographer and content creator sharing authentic stories from the natural world. While Florida’s springs and waterways are home base, the work extends wherever wild places and meaningful stories exist.Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcapsQuestions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en