The PRAS sponsored a tour of a Mosaic phosphate mining operation.  A group of about 40 persons departed Punta Gorda at 7:30 via bus and traveled north via US 17 to the South Fort Meade Mine.  During the trip, representatives from Mosaic were on board to discuss our itinerary for the day.  They distributed literature describing  the phosphate mine operation and showed us some related videos.  We arrived at the South Fort Meade processing plant around 9:00, where we assembled in the training room for a light snack and an overview by Mosaic staff describing what will be seen during the morning.

Several vans were used to transport the group around the site.  Our first stop was at a large operating dragline machine.  This $15 million machine is used to scoop up large amounts, 63 cubic yards per bucket, of matrix, a mixture of sand, clay and phosphate rock, from below the earth’s surface (typically 20-50 feet below the surface).  The buckets of matrix are then dumped into a pit where it is turned into slurry by a high pressure stream of water.  The slurry is then pumped to the processing plant, which is located from 1-7 miles from the mining area.

We then drove around the processing plant, where components of the matrix are separated using water, screens and floatation processes.  The extracted phosphate rock is dumped onto a large pile, where it is eventually transported via rail or truck to a fertilizer manufacturing facility.  The sand is returned to the mined area for use in reclamation.  The clay is mixed with water and pumped to clay settling areas, which are used for water recycling during the mining process.  About 95-98 per cent of the water used during the mining operation is recycled water.  The remainder is made up from ground water.  Excess water is released into local streams through permitted points after clarification.

We than visited the Maron Run Reclamation Project where land is being reclaimed since the mining was completed in 1998. Initial revegetation was completed in 2001 and the wetlands was reconnected to State waters in 2003.  A variety of birdlife was observed utilizing the wetlands.  We than drove around several clay settling areas, again noting a large number of birds, including White Pelicans, utilizing the temporary lakes.  We headed back to the Training Room where we were treated to a nice lunch during which Mosaic staff held a question and answer period. 

During the afternoon, we visited two more reclamation projects:the North Stephens Branch Reclaimed Herbaceous Wetland and Hookers Prairie Sawgrass Reclamation.  The N Stephens Branch area was mined in 2000.  Earthwork and initial revegetation was completed in 2003.  Over 32,000 trees and shrubs were planted in upland forest areas and 39,000 herbaceous plants were planted in wetlands.  The project was reconnected to the Peace River in 2005.  Hookers Prairie originally consisted of 3,000 acres of fresh water marsh with the dominant vegetative species being cattail, sawgrass, and dog fennel.  After mining, the area is now being revegetated with desirable species of plants including sawgrass.  It is obvious that Mosaic is very serious about re-establishing mined areas back to their original condition.

On Sunday morning, 14 members and guests of the Photo Adventures Camera Club met in North Port, where we formed carpools to travel north to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.  From North Port, it is a 1 ½-hour drive via I-75.  We arrived there at 9:30, just as the gates were opened.  The senior entrance fee was $13.95 per person.

This zoo is a great place to visit and to shoot photographs.  Cages are not used; a natural habitat has been built for many of the animals.  The animals have been grouped into several large areas, including Safari Africa, Primate World, Asian Domain, Native Florida Wildlife Center, Manatee & Aquatic Center, and a Free-Flight Aviary.  There is also a children’s area.  One of the highlights of the visit was the opportunity to photograph a 5-week old baby elephant with its mother.  The Zoo is well maintained and was not overly crowded during our visit.  Definitely a place to return to.

We visited our daughter in Lakeland for Thanksgiving.  I took the opportunity to visit some of the fine parks they have in the area.  Late Wednesday afternoon, I went to Lake Morton and walked around the lake.  The usual Swans, Egrets, Herons, and Ducks were there.  I was especially interested in wintering ducks.  There were at least a hundred Ring-necked Ducks and a few Ruddy Ducks on the lake.  Was able to get a few good close-up images before the sun disappeared.

On Friday morning, went to Gator Creek Reserve, which is located on US98 north of Lakeland.  This was my first visit to this Reserve.  There are five well-maintained hiking trails ranging from 0.6 miles to 2.9 miles in length.  The Gator Creek Canal runs through the property.  Was surprised at the number of mosquitoes.  Didn’t see many birds.  Those seen included Palm, Pine and Yellow-rump Warblers, Downy Woodpecker, Gnatcatchers, Tufted Titmouse, and Blue-headed Vireos.  Finished about 10:30 am.

Then went to Lake Parker.  Nice variety of birds including Herons, Egrets, Limpkin, Ibises, Coots, Moorhens, Mottled Ducks, four species of Woodpeckers (Downy, Red-bellied, Pileated, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker).  Also saw about a dozen White-winged Doves and a Hermit Thrush.  There were also a large number of butterflies in the open fields.