Critter Pics & A Survival Tip From Southern Florida

Mistwalker

Mistwalker

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
19,037
Some pics from yesterday.

The area of palmetto fields and lots of Spanish moss.

DSC_0483.jpg


DSC_0494.jpg




A few armadillos in the area

DSC_1696.jpg


DSC_1698.jpg


DSC_1703.jpg




In southern Florida take full advantage of low vines for tables, or hang packs from a longer limb. Here the ants attack ANYTHING that touches the ground (lots of ants making appearances in recent work photos) and are on the trunks of what seems like most trees. The ants are even worse now than when I lived here.

DSC_0477.jpg


DSC_0481.jpg




Without a doubt, the absolute worst carrot cake I've ever eaten. I am certain an armadillo would have tasted better...but too damned hot to build a fire at 2pm.

DSC_0471.jpg





Then just a shot of the knife on my belt. Mr. Harsey did such an awesome job on the grinds on this knife, the handle ergos are phenomenal, the heat treat is impressive, I'm loving the S35VN for corrosion resistance here, and this coating is simply one bad ass blade coating. The handle is showing more sign of wear than the blade coating and this thing has split wood and started fires, opened tin cans, puncture metal containers, punctured fuel tanks (just during tests), and it does the best job at skinning of any “tactical” knife I've ever owned.

DSC_0445.jpg



,
 
Armadillo's are just the craziest looking critters and they are so foreign to me. I thought they were super cool when I went to FL last year. Great shot of the last one with the fine hairs visible poking through the armor.
 
great pics sir. I want one of those spartan hunters but just can't justify it at 500 bucks. looks like a great knife though.
 
kgd said:
Armadillo's are just the craziest looking critters and they are so foreign to me. I thought they were super cool when I went to FL last year. Great shot of the last one with the fine hairs visible poking through the armor.
Click to expand...

The armadillos are definitely odd looking. Them and the gators. along with all the different vegetation definitely make this an interesting place to explore!


grunt soldier said:
great pics sir. I want one of those spartan hunters but just can't justify it at 500 bucks. looks like a great knife though.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I can understand that thought. For most people, sans collectors, that's sort of money reserved for the "one knife" we can't resist and one that will last a life time if not generations. I always wanted a Randall 1 with a 6 inch blade. I should have gotten one years ago but couldn't afford one even back then. Getting to do the article on the hunter was one of those moments where fate decided to smile on me and my all time favorite (so far) stainless steel knife was just handed to me. The effect has been that I have thought about it and no longer want a Randall 1 unless of course it's a gift :), and have now started trying to save a few pennies here and there to buy a Spartan Harsey Model II. That is the down side of collaborative works though...both sides have to to make money off of the deal. Before I had a chance to use one I probably wouldn't have spent the money on it myself, I'm not a combatant and couldn't justify the expense of such a knife no matter how well I perceived it to be made nor how well it withstands all environments and very rough use. Now, I have a different perspective and can justify the expense on the Model II just by how damned impressed I have been with this knife. Then I'll decide which one I like best and give the other to my brother (who has pulled my ass out of a sling more times than I can count in my younger days) for the best knife he'll ever own and one he'd never spend the money on either.
 
That is a lot more lush than where I go in the much drier Sierras. It would be interesting to explore a place like that, it is very foreign to me.
 
great pics. thanks for sharing. I love the look of that knife. glad to hear it performs just as well.
 
lambertiana said:
That is a lot more lush than where I go in the much drier Sierras. It would be interesting to explore a place like that, it is very foreign to me.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the tropics are lush alright...and hot, and humid, and muggy...and full of biting ants and blood sucking mosquitoes. Yesterday I thought to myself, no wonder there are no more dinosaurs...after thousands of years of this they probably all committed suicide :) It's a beautiful place to visit and explore, but I'll be missing my Tennessee hills soon enough. Really looking forward to autumn in the hills!


WILLIAM.M said:
Another Cool post my Brother

:)

Sweet Knife too
Click to expand...

Thanks bro, glad you enjoyed it. And yes, yes it is!


tman038 said:
great pics. thanks for sharing. I love the look of that knife. glad to hear it performs just as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed them. It has performed exceptionally well.
 
That armadillo looks pretty sweet. Never saw one in person, but that picture makes me want to. Neat-o.

Oh, that carrot cake looks delicious, how could you not like it? :p
 
Nice pics - I does not seem like the armadillos are afraid of you - the pictures look very close-up.

That is a great looking knife - it is interesting that the handle is showing wear and the blade/coating is not - first time I have seen that!

Thanks for the post - and watch out for those ant!

best

mqqn
 
TheGame said:
That armadillo looks pretty sweet. Never saw one in person, but that picture makes me want to. Neat-o.

Oh, that carrot cake looks delicious, how could you not like it? :p
Click to expand...

I've seen lots of them before, here in Florida and in Louisiana. They are interesting creatures to observe, but I've never eaten one.

OMG that carrot cake was horrid, plus it was hot and I had very little appetite anyway.


mqqn said:
Nice pics - I does not seem like the armadillos are afraid of you - the pictures look very close-up.

That is a great looking knife - it is interesting that the handle is showing wear and the blade/coating is not - first time I have seen that!

Thanks for the post - and watch out for those ant!

best

mqqn
Click to expand...

Thanks man. Everyone says they are timid creatures, but I think they have poor eyesight and keen hearing and just react to movement and sound as a survival instinct. I heard these making lots of noise in the palmettos so I slowly and quietly moved toward them. They couldn't here me over the loud rustling of the dried dead lower palmetto leaves so I was on nearly on top of them and standing still and quiet when they came to me. That last one is standing at my feet and didn't even realize I was there till he heard the shutter clicking. Then he looked at my feet, interestingly not up at me at first, then looked at the camera and slowly walked back into the brush. I think so few people enter the deeper bush here in the summer time that the animals are nearly as curious about me as I am about them.

That coating is some awesome stuff. No offense to Ethan, he knows I love him and his knives, but if that was a Becker it would be naked by now :)

Oh, the ants are easy to watch...stand still long enough and you watch them crawling on you :)
 
mistwalker said:
The armadillos are definitely odd looking. Them and the gators. along with all the different vegetation definitely make this an interesting place to explore!



Thank you. I can understand that thought. For most people, sans collectors, that's sort of money reserved for the "one knife" we can't resist and one that will last a life time if not generations. I always wanted a Randall 1 with a 6 inch blade. I should have gotten one years ago but couldn't afford one even back then. Getting to do the article on the hunter was one of those moments where fate decided to smile on me and my all time favorite (so far) stainless steel knife was just handed to me. The effect has been that I have thought about it and no longer want a Randall 1 unless of course it's a gift :), and have now started trying to save a few pennies here and there to buy a Spartan Harsey Model II. That is the down side of collaborative works though...both sides have to to make money off of the deal. Before I had a chance to use one I probably wouldn't have spent the money on it myself, I'm not a combatant and couldn't justify the expense of such a knife no matter how well I perceived it to be made nor how well it withstands all environments and very rough use. Now, I have a different perspective and can justify the expense on the Model II just by how damned impressed I have been with this knife. Then I'll decide which one I like best and give the other to my brother (who has pulled my ass out of a sling more times than I can count in my younger days) for the best knife he'll ever own and one he'd never spend the money on either.
Click to expand...

I was just thinking that knife would be a good comparison to a 1-6. I love my Randall's they are super sharp and yet can handle the hard stuff like seasoned white oak. That's impressive for such a thin edge.


My strider fixed blade was a total failure, the edge tore out on realitivly soft wood that was still techicly alive but the tree had been raped of bark 4 feet up so I cut it down and the edge dented rolled and had a very small tear out.
 
Great pics (very clear, pro quality), makes me really miss my old state. I've spent many a day playing around in bush like that.

personally I'd only eat a armadillo in a true survival situations...but then again I had one as a pet growing up.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Great post as always buddy !

Those armadillos are just one of the coolest creatures ever, I'd love to see what my dogs would make of meeting one !
 
Nine-banded armadillos are reputedly carriers of Chagas disease, along with the insect that transmits it to you. They also transmit leprosy, I read somewhere. Cute and weird but avoid.
 
In Central America, its really really hard to find because EVERYONE ATE THEM ALL. Its more of a warning that they carry leprosy, like every bat is supposed to have rabies. There was this one recent article that has spurned hatred for the armadillo, it came out in 2011, that re-kindled the fire. 150 -200 leprosy cases (and cured) a year, but they can not be confirmed that it was armadillos that were responsible. Don't go google it because the first 100 links will be people re-tweeting the original study Before 2011, there was a thought that it caused leprosy. Sure it can be confirmed, but I theorize they contract it from the same soil. In Central and South America, its part of the average diet that you would find.
Now before anyone goes and freaks out. Lets look at the biggest problem: Leprosy. Can it be cured: Yes, antibiotics. So, if you cuddle with an armadillo, or eat it, and start to see lesions later, go see a Dr.
 
I'm not sure about cuddling an Armadillo....but I'd sure like to see one.
They really are smart looking beasts. One of those creatures that when you see them for real is really humbling cos you realise just how varied a range of beasts inhabbit this lil'planet.

Misty, what is your secret to all these great wildlife shots??
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top