12/21 More Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Photos

I can't resist.  This is one of the most beautiful places in Florida, or anyplace else for that matter.  There is always something new to see in this quiet and peaceful place.  I had to go back to return a couple of two-small t-shirts, so of course, I had to go through the boardwalk again.  I did not have a lot of time, so I did take the shortcut which cuts the 2.5 mile walk down to a 1.5 mile walk, but it was well worth it.  

I will come back on a cooler day in February when the swamp will have more plants flowering and possibly more birds because the water level will be lower. 

Started off this walk with this alligator next to the boardwalk, just as you get into the bald cypress tree area.  I took photos of its feet, also, which i think were interesting.  

 

  This is a front foot.  

 

 

Back foot.   

Just some beautiful views:  

 

 

A lot of people see the green stuff floating in swamps and think it must be slime.  In reality, it is a tiny plant with round leaves and a root system floating in the water.  It is called duckweed because ducks love it!! 

 

 

A lot of the plants in the swamp live on other plants and trees.  This dried up stuff is actually a resurrection fern.  When it is dry, the plant dries up, but when it rains, the leaves turn green in just a couple of hours!  It is very common living on tree branches, so look for it as you walk or drive.   

 

 

This is a lovely swamp lily.   

 

 

And this is a tree that probably fell a hundred years or so ago.  It now provides a home for young plants to get rooted.   

A turtle sunning itself on a log.  

 

 

Air plants and some more resurrection fern.  

 

 

The Corkscrew is the largest patch of virgin bald cypress in the United States.  This one seems to be leaning on its neighbor.  

 

 

Just fishing.... 

 

 

Another alligator taking a nap.   

 

 

A white ibis fishing.  You can tell it is an ibis instead of a heron by its curved-down beak.  

 

 

 I had never seen one of these Painted Buntings before, but there were a couple of them at the bird feeder at the visitor center as I was leaving. 

 

 

Nice collection of packs and carriers just outside the gift shop!  

 

 

As usual, I had to park far from the visitor center, but the bus and RV part of the parking lot was empty so I got a good, shaded spot!!