It's #GarWeek!! These awesome fish are fast becoming one of my favorite in Florida's lakes. Here's me and my team @ufifaslakewatch.bsky.social with a few Florida and Longnose Gar on Lake Louisa today!

🐟 Tadpole Madtoms are tiny catfish with a tadpole-like look and mild venom in their spines! 🌊✨ Curious about Florida’s freshwater fish? 🐠📚 Explore the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish in Florida Lakes: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0... 📸 Zach Randall, Florida Museum

🧪🌊 Florida is a mercury hotspot, but most inland research is 20+ years old. LAKEWATCH’s new study dives into what we know (and don’t) about mercury in our lakes and rivers. Wildlife impacts, local variation, and emerging challenges. Read more 👉 new.express.adobe.com/webpage/i2x0...

🌊 Water Strider – The Ripple Whisperer It walks on water and speaks in waves. The water strider sends messages through ripples—signals of prey, rivals, and romance. A silent communicator in the haunted shallows.

🦴 Skeleton Crew Spotlight: Eva Oberosler Eva, our Witch of Workflow, brews perfectly packed kits and casts spells of lab organization. Her quiet magic keeps LAKEWATCH running, even when the fog rolls in and the data gets spooky. 🕸️ FL LAKEWATCH 📧 [email protected]

🧗♂️ Scud – The Plant Climber When fear strikes, the scud ascends. With clawed limbs and desperate speed, it climbs for survival, gripping the stems of aquatic plants like a creature escaping the underworld.

💀 Skeleton Crew Spotlight: Joshua Johnson Meet Joshua, our Lab Phantom! He haunts the shelves and conjures kits with eerie efficiency. Whether lurking in the lab or gliding through the office, he ensures our teams are ready to face the unknown. 🧙♂️Support Staff 📧 [email protected]

🏚️ Caddisfly – Haunted House Builder Some creatures build their own tombs. The caddisfly larva wraps itself in stone and leaf, crafting a mobile fortress to haunt the currents. A true architect of the abyss.

📣 Congrats to Susan & Bruce Kistler! 🎣 This year, they received their 20-Year Fishing Shirts for two decades of service with LAKEWATCH. Since 2005, they’ve monitored Lake Daisy, contributing vital data and dedication. Thank you for 20 amazing years! 💙

🦐 Grass Shrimp – The Hairy Seer It doesn’t need eyes to know you’re near. With hairs that sense chemical whispers, the grass shrimp is the clairvoyant of the creek, detecting danger before it arrives.

🌟 Swamp Darter Fun Fact 🌟 Swamp Darters are small, bottom-dwelling fish found in slow, plant-filled waters. Known for their unique patterns, they’re a hidden gem of Florida lakes. 🌿✨ 🐠📚 Explore more: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0... 📸 Zach Randall, FLMNH

🫧 Dytiscid – The Bubble Hunter Beneath the surface, a predator waits, silent, submerged, and breathing through stolen air. The dytiscid larva is a bubble-breathing hunter with a taste for terror.

Collaboration in action! 🧪 LAKEWATCH, FWC & Winter Park teamed up to support research on invasive Asian Swamp Eels in Florida lakes. MS student Noah Peterson is studying their impact on food webs & sportfish. Fieldwork success thanks to many helping hands!

🐍 Skeleton Crew Spotlight: Noah Peterson Noah is our Swamp Sorcerer, unraveling the tangled food webs of Florida’s lakes and tracking the elusive swamp eel. His research slithers through the shadows, revealing the secrets of predator and prey. 🌕 Position: MSc Student 📧 [email protected]

💧 Used alum in your lake or pond? We want to hear from you! Your experience helps us understand alum use across Florida. 🌊 📧 Contact Dr. Lescord: [email protected] | (352) 846-6313 📞 Or call your coordinator: 1-800-LAKEWAT

🧪 Midge – Acid Spawn Not all horrors come with fangs. Some come as eggs. The midge’s spawn is so acidic, it scars concrete and paint, proof that even the smallest creatures can leave a terrifying mark.

🪶 Feeding Fact: Black Skimmers feed by flying low over the water, skimming the surface with their elongated lower mandible to snatch up fish. ✈️🐟 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🚀 Dragonfly – Rocket of the Abyss In the shadows of the pond, something stirs, and then vanishes in a burst. The dragonfly larva doesn’t flee… it launches. A jet-powered escape artist of the deep.

🧟 Skeleton Crew Spotlight: Anthony Johnson Anthony, our Mad Scientist, investigates PFAS and herbicide interactions with aquatic life. His lab bubbles with chemical mysteries as he hunts clues in the murky depths. 🧫 PhD Student 📧 [email protected]

🎉 Milestone Spotlight: Bill Brenner After 17 years of monitoring Parks Lake, Bill received his 15-Year Paddle! His dedication to water quality and steady presence on the lake have made a lasting impact. Thank you, Bill, for your service and commitment to Florida LAKEWATCH!

🧜♂️ Damselfly – The Gilled Ghoul With tails that breathe and glide, the damselfly larva drifts like a specter through the water. Its gills wave like ghostly banners, whispering secrets of the stream.

🌟 Spotted Sunfish Fun Fact 🌟 These small, colorful fish thrive in slow, plant-filled waters. 🌿✨ Want to explore Florida’s lake fish? 🐠📚 Check out the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish in Florida Lakes—based on data from 60 lakes! 📊 🔗 ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0... 📸 Zach Randall, FLMNH

🪰 Mayfly – The Phantom of the Pond Deep beneath the surface, a ghost waits patiently. It lives in silence for a year… only to vanish in two fleeting days. This is no ordinary insect, it’s the mayfly, nature’s most ephemeral spirit.

🧪 Skeleton Crew Spotlight: Dr. Celine Lajoie Our Mercury Mystic dives deep into the spectral science of mercury in Florida’s waters. Like a ghost whisperer for aquatic ecosystems, her research reveals hidden forces beneath the surface. 🧠 Postdoc Fellow 📧 [email protected]

🕷️💧 Creepy Crawlers of the Deep: Freshwater Frights Are Coming! 💧🕷️ This October, dive into Florida’s weirdest freshwater invertebrates, from acid-dripping egg masses to jet-propelled larvae. They’re creepy. They’re crawly. And they’re coming. 🪰 Stay tuned, our fright-filled series starts next week!

🪶 Feeding Fact: Belted Kingfishers hover over water before plunging headfirst to catch fish with pinpoint accuracy. Splashy and precise! 🐟💦 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🎓 LAKEWATCH & UF students bring science to life on Lake Alice 🚤 For 35+ years, this hands-on program has taught fisheries skills while advancing lake research. Started by Dr. Canfield, led by Dr. Lescord, it inspires future freshwater scientists. 📚 Read more new.express.adobe.com/webpage/QJdX...

🛟 LAKEWATCH Volunteers: Respect the Water, Respect the Rules 🌊 While sampling, stay safe: ⚠️ Follow no-wake zones ⚠️ Avoid distractions ⚠️ Operate at safe speeds Let’s keep Florida’s lakes safe for all! 🔗 myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/safety-tips"

🌟 Steve Asman – 15 Years! Steve has been sampling Lake Louisa for 15 years! He received a 15-Year LAKEWATCH Paddle to honor his ongoing commitment and contributions. Thank you, Steve, for your dedication to Florida LAKEWATCH! 🛶💧

🌟 Sailfin Molly Fun Fact 🌟 These fish sport large, sail-like dorsal fins and thrive in both freshwater and brackish waters! 🌊✨ 🐠 Learn more in the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish in Florida Lakes: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0... 📸: Zach Randall, FLMNH

📲 Stay Connected with LAKEWATCH! 🌊 Want to keep up with the latest on Florida’s lakes, wildlife, and water science? Follow us on your favorite social platform! 💙 🔗 Tap our Linktree to explore all our channels: linktr.ee/ufifaslakewa...

🏄 Bonnie & Frank Vierling – 15 Years! Bonnie and Frank have been monitoring Lake Harris for 15 years! They were awarded a 15-Year LAKEWATCH Paddle in recognition of their dedication and consistent efforts. Thank you both for being part of the LAKEWATCH family! 🎣💙

🪶 Feeding Fact: Bald Eagles are opportunistic feeders—they hunt fish, scavenge carrion, and even steal prey from other birds like Ospreys. 🦅💥 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🚤 LAKEWATCH Volunteers: Boat Smart, Boat Safe! 🦺 Before heading out, check your gear: ✅ Life jackets ✅ Fire extinguisher ✅ Sound device ✅ Navigation lights ✅ First-aid kit Your safety matters as much as your data! 🔗 myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/safety-tips

👏 Joe & Margaret Branham – 30 Years! Joe and Margaret have volunteered on Bugg Springs for 30 years! They received a 30-Year Plaque, with a matching one placed in the UF Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Building. Thank you both for your long-term commitment and service! 🏆💧

💧 Used alum in your lake or pond? We want to hear from you! Your experience helps us understand alum use across Florida. 🌊 📧 Contact Dr. Lescord: [email protected] | (352) 846-6313 📞 Or call your coordinator: 1-800-LAKEWAT

🐟 Redfin Pickerel are small, predatory fish with red/orange fins, found in slow, vegetated waters. 🌿 Curious about Florida lake fish? 🐠📚 Explore the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish in Florida Lakes: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0...

🌊 Trophic States: Why They Matter Track changes in your lake’s productivity, describe its condition in one word, and set expectations for recreation. - Oligotrophic = low nutrients, clear water - Eutrophic = high nutrients, abundant life 📘 edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🎉 Claudia Marshall – 30 Years! Claudia has contributed 30 years of data from Lake Lorraine! She received a 30-Year Plaque, with a matching one now displayed in the UF Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Building. Thank you, Claudia, for your incredible dedication! 💙🌊

Feeding Fact: The Anhinga spears fish with its sharp bill while swimming underwater, then flips them into the air to swallow headfirst. No bait needed! 🐟🎯 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🌊 Water Clarity Measured with an 8" Secchi disk, water clarity shows how transparent a lake is. It’s affected by algae, tannins, and suspended solids. Clearer water often reflects lower nutrients. 📘 Learn more: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

🟣💚 Meet the purple gallinule—Florida’s flashiest wetland bird! With bright feathers & giant yellow feet, it’s a must-see on your next LAKEWATCH trip. 🐦🌿 📖 Learn more: new.express.adobe.com/webpage/QJdX...

🌟 Redear Sunfish, aka “shellcrackers,” love snacking on snails! 🐟 🔍 Look for their red/orange gill edges in Florida lakes. 📘 Explore more fish facts in this freshwater guide: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/0...

🌊 Watery Word: Limnology! 🌊

🌾 Nitrogen is key for algae & plant growth in lakes. High levels = high productivity, but too much can disrupt balance. Tracking it helps us manage lake health. 🌿🐟 📘 Learn more in our Trophic State EDIS guide: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

📸 Last chance, LAKEWATCH volunteers! Show off your sampling skills & the lakes you love. Submit your photos by Aug 15 to be featured in our newsletter! 📬 Email: [email protected] Include names, location & photographer info! 🌊🐟

The 2025 @ufifaslakewatch.bsky.social team! It's a privilege to work with these folks every day.

🌊 Got questions about Florida’s lakes? Call 1-800-LAKEWATCH! 💧 Our Regional Coordinators are here to train volunteers, collect data, and guide lake management efforts. Your go-to team for freshwater science! 🧪🌿

🪶 Feeding Fact: Unlike Brown Pelicans, American White Pelicans don’t dive. Instead, they work together in groups to herd fish into shallow water before scooping them up with their massive bills. 🐟🤝 📘 Learn more about Florida’s aquatic birds: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

💧 Used alum in your lake or pond? We want to hear from you! Your experience helps us understand alum use across Florida. 🌊 📧 Contact Dr. Lescord: [email protected] | (352) 846-6313 📞 Or call your coordinator: 1-800-LAKEWAT