Florida Scrub-Jay: The Heart of Ecotours at Oscar Scherer State Park

Florida Scrub-Jay is the Mascot for Ecotours in Oscar Shearer State Park.

The Florida Scrub-Jay is the official mascot of Oscar Scherer State Park. ScrubJay is a curious and friendly resident of the open scrubby flatwoods habitat on the North and East sides of the park. Her blue features make identification easy because it’s similar to a blue jay, but scrub-jay has a grey back without crest or collar. I’ve seen them several times in the park , but they aren’t always visible because overall population numbers are low. The species is federally and state recognized as Threatened.  (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Native Plant Society spotlights the Scrub-Jay

The friends of Oscar Sherer organize programming at the park and this week the Native Plant Society hosted a walk focused on the Scrub-Jay. (Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society). The hike was expertly led and all the participants contributed observations and education. We didn’t see any scrub-jays, but we immersed ourselves in their habitat. We stooped and squinted to identify the tangle of plants that compose the dense tapestry of the Florida scrub. If I wasn’t with the good company of the Native Plant Society, I would have missed knowing that I was among Sparkleberry and Persimmon, which sound like whimsical libations at a midnight party hosted by the fairies. 

Scrub-Jay is a native Floridian

Seeing a Florida Scrub-Jay on a vortex ecotour is a good omen because it is an endemic species, which means that it is native to here and only found here-a sight only found in Florida! The park tags and tracks the Scrub-Jay population through their Adoption Program. (Oscar Scherer State Park Florida Scrub-jay Adoption Program). The program directly supports protection and preservation of the Scrub-Jay’s habitat within the park.

The Search for Scrub-Jays Took me to New Trails

Since I started operating ecotours in Oscar Scherer State Park, I’ve been leaving no trail un trodden.  Admittedly, there are some trails that I had not been on as an ordinary hiker. But, now, as a professional tour guide, it’s my personal mantle to cross every spur off my bucket list. So today’s hike was great because we ventured into the deep South pockets of the park. These trails are similar to the ones East of the legacy trail in that they are very open to the sun and sky. The quest to see scrub Jays prevails another day.

Oscar Scherer Vortex Tour (wet season)

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Sarasota Vortex Tours Invites You to Discover Energy and Serenity in the Heart of Florida's Wildlands!

Locals invited to ‘Walk with a Shaman’ on Sarasota’s New Hiking Eco-tours and Explore Nature Connection at Myakka River and Oscar Scherer State Parks

SARASOTA, FL – Sarasota Vortex Tours, a new eco-tour company based in Sarasota County, is thrilled to announce its official launch during Earth Month. Operating inside the stunning Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park, Sarasota Vortex Tours offers unforgettable experiences that blend environmental exploration with spiritual connection. Locals and visitors are invited to discover the subtle energy vortexes and inner peace that can be found in the natural beauty of Sarasota.

Founded by Florida native, Alyson Laura, Sarasota Vortex Tours combines ethical eco-tourism practices with unique offerings like guided meditation, nature communication, and finding meaning in wildlife sightings. Small group tours are priced at $55 per individual or $300 for private groups, each tour is designed to foster a deep connection to nature and the universe. Round trip hiking distance averages between 1.5-3.0 miles and can be adjusted to suit group needs. Vortex tours are perfect for adventurous locals, wellness seekers, and families looking for fun and unique ways to explore state parks.

“I’m passionate about teaching people how to look at nature differently; how to build kinship with Earth,” said Alyson. “Our tours not only highlight the ecological treasures of Florida’s first Wild and Scenic River, Myakka River, but also offers a chance to tap into the universal energy of the land. We want every guest to leave feeling inspired and connected.”

Sarasota Vortex Tours demonstrates a commitment to regenerative tourism by prioritizing minimal environmental impact and support for the local community. To underscore this dedication, the company is pursuing certification with the Florida Society of Ethical Ecotourism. Additionally, Sarasota Vortex Tours is forging partnerships with local ecological conservation and restoration nonprofits to enhance the health of the ecosystems that are vital for outdoor recreation. The company’s long-term vision is to lead the Sarasota tourism industry toward regenerative practices, ensuring collective business operations contribute to the health and well-being of the entire watershed.

To mark its launch, Sarasota Vortex Tours is offering a 50% discount on all tours booked in April. Reservations can be made at www.srqvortex.com using the code GRAND. For media inquiries, interviews, or to arrange a complimentary tour, contact Alyson Laura at srqvortex@gmail.com or 941-367-9966.

About Sarasota Vortex Tours Founded in 2024, Sarasota Vortex Tours is dedicated to connecting people with the natural and spiritual essence of Sarasota. The vortex tours blend adventure, education, and mindfulness; offering experiences that inspire awe and respect for the environment.

Learn more at www.srqvortex.com,

https://www.facebook.com/SRQvortex/,

https://www.instagram.com/srqvortex/.

Perfect Day for Sarasota Ecotour

Ideal Conditions for an April Ecotour

April is a great month for ecotours in Sarasota, Florida because the weather is perfect! Cool mornings, warm afternoons, low humidity, and gorgeous late sunsets! That means the parks stay open later, and you can watch the evening show in the sky surrounded by nature. Early evenings are also a great time to watch the wildlife. Certainly mornings are ripe for close encounters with animals, and just before sunset they come out again to start foraging. 

All Creatures Enjoy a Brisk Walkabout

Today’s hike was in Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey Florida, located in Sarasota County. The dominant energy of the day came from the Echo Moth caterpillars. Their population explodes in Spring and they like to hike too! They make themselves known by crawling around in chaotic patterns. They act a little confused in their unpredictable patterns. They are active and brightly colored with fuzzy orange bodies and black spikes. Those are typical characteristics of poisonous or venomous animals, but they won’t severely harm you; just irritate your skin. But I don’t recommend trying to pick them up. We never want to touch wildlife in any setting. That would NOT be ethical ecotourism.

Their tiny bodies inch across the trail and up the pine trees, and even cross roads where they often meet their demise. I tried to tune into them on an energy level but it wasn’t clear what they were doing or why. So I turned to written sources to learn about this insect. They get the name Echo from scientist’s understanding that the walkabout behavior is just mimicking other animals, like an echo. The intentions behind their behaviors remain a mystery. Maybe you can help demystify the behavior in your vortex journey. On a vortex tour, we stop often to interpret the signs nature is giving us. On this ecotour specifically, it felt like nature was telling us to get walking and have fun! Maybe a last hurrah before the hot humid summer sets in.

Snakes on the Trail

I seem to often encounter snakes on the segment of trail between the grass vortex and the legacy trail. This one was a magnificent red color, which I later learned is a Coral Snake. Harmless, and very cool looking. Videos of the snakes are on my social channels. https://www.facebook.com/SRQvortex and https://www.facebook.com/SRQvortex and https://www.youtube.com/@srqvortex 

The funny thing is, they seem to love being models for the camera and freeze in the middle of the trail. I’m sure they are scared, just like I feel sometimes. As an ethical ecotour operator, I won’t do anything to harass wildlife like scare it off the trail. Afterall, it’s their home first. So we pause and observe them. It’s a great addition to a tour because snakes are powerful medicine for spiritual transformation. That's probably why they like to stop us on the trail and give us the opportunity to learn their wisdom. If you get frustrated by animals taking priority on trails, this vortex tour is not for you.

When your Neighbor is a Deer

On this day in early April, as I made my way to the final vortex for sunset integration at Oscar Scherer State Park, I saw one of the largest doe deer I’ve ever seen in Sarasota! I consider Oscar Scherer an ‘urban’ park because it is bordered by two major highways, US-41 and I-75, and residential development. Whereas, Myakka State Park is a rural park because it borders other parks and farmland, with residential enclaves encroaching on the edges. Me and the deer locked eyes for some time. She was standing in the low scrub watching me approach on the sandy yellow trail. When I felt her presence, I paused my movement and held the space for her to make her next move. Just like the snakes, it’s our responsibility as guests in their home to defer to their guidance and leadership.

Oscar Scherer Vortex Tour

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