Day 103: April 12th – A Mixed Bag at the Mill

Sunny, clear, winds out of the north at 10 – 15 knots

       It’s been a year since we’ve visited the Cruger-dePeyster Sugar Mill ruins in New Smyrna Beach.  The coquina stone walls of the mill are reminders of the fact that all ventures do not prove fruitful.  Built in 1830 by Henry Cruger and William dePeyster, the mill was in ruins.  With the help of the slaves who worked the mill, the Seminole Indians overran the mill and burned it along with numerous mills in the area.  Today, this peaceful setting belies the violent history of the mill.

       Along the short nature trail established on the grounds of the museum, one can find wildflowers like the native Jack-in-the-pulpit.  The plant bloom from April into June and the arrival of the flower is yet another of our signs of spring.

       Each year for at least the past 5 years, the nature trail has served as the site of at least one Great blue heron nest.  When we arrived and looked in the area where the nest has previously found, we spotted the nest with one adult sitting upon it.  There was no evidence of any young or even another adult, however, and the nest was quite small.  Will the nest be productive this year as in other years past?  Only time will tell.

       Walking out on the open grounds of the ruins, we were surprised to see the concentration of Ant lion pits.  The larva of the ant lion excavates these pits from loose sand.  As an unwary ant wanders into the edge of the pit, it begins to crumble into the center, bringing the ant with it to the jaws of thei hungry larva waiting at the bottom of the pit.  Should the ant try to make an escape up the slippery slope, the ant lion will throw sand grains up onto the loose inclines and cause them to collapse more rapidly.  

       Even on a quiet day, walking through a placid landscape, there is a tremendous amount of activity going on all around us.  Be attentive and see what Mother Nature has to offer.