Community Corner

Rain Creates Standing Water in Riverhills Park

Each Sunday, we'll post a photo of Temple Terrace nature from someone in the community as our Sunday Nature Photo.

Rick Gibson sent two photos of an oak hammock near the Hillsborough River in .

“Paths through this hammock are usually dry with a thick leaf litter,” Gibson said. “With recent heavy rains the paths have been flooded and being next to a cypress swamp they are slow to drain. The close-up photo shows hundreds of mosquito larvae. Imagine, perhaps millions of mosquitoes hatching from just this one path? Camping anyone?

“Notice also the color of the water. The leaf litter leaches tannic acid into the stagnant water (like brewing tea). Eventually drained into the swamps and then into the river, the Hillsborough River gets its amber color from this process.”

Find out what's happening in Temple Terracewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Do you have a local nature photo you’d like to share? Email it to ashley.reams@patch.com and it could be featured on a future Sunday.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Temple Terrace