Dana pointed me in the direction of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, maintained by the National Audubon Society. What an amazing place. It encompasses the largest remaining stand of ancient bald cypress, some as old as 600 years. The Society has built one of the longest boardwalks through marsh, wetlands, and forest, allowing for closeups with nature.
It starts with a typical Floridian setting, a palmetto and pine forest. This kind of forest covers most of Florida. Audubon said of it, "Sands, poor pine forests and impenetrable thickets and palmettos form the undergrowth." He didn't particularly like Florida. I have wanted to photograph this, but it is difficult because of the all the invasives now present. But at the Sanctuary, we found a very good example of it.
I can see where this would have been quite inhospitable to an early pioneer, especially during the oppressive heat of summer.
The bald cypress forest itself is impressive. Dark, filled with ferns, bogs, flowering airplants, and sudden patches of sunshine.
The Boardwalk
The cypress base - it looks like a foot coming at you!
The cypress "knees", common in old growth cypress forests.
Dense and dark...
with an occasional opening of light...
A flowering air plant...
and the occasional alligator.
Many of the following birds we had seen before, but not usually in such close proximity:
The little blue heron really is blue, from beak to toe!! This guy stood on the boardwalk railing and preened as I snapped away. Did he like the attention?
I took the above photo when I looked down at a white egret. Its head was between a park sign and the boardwalk railing.
It's hard to stop taking photos of a white egret once you start!
The above photos are mine. Part 2 will be Lee's photos. He was able to capture some things I wasn't, with his extra-powerful lens. Don't miss it!
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