Friday, April 26, 2013

Florida's wonders - part 1


In March 2013 my sister Diane and I flew to Fort Myers, Florida and thus began one of the best weeks I’ve ever had!  From Fort Myers we drove to Bonita Springs where we stayed for three nights using it as a base from which to explore some of the natural areas that Florida has to offer.
Other photos (high resolution) of Florida’s magnificent wildlife are at my Florida gallery

This first post shows some of the interesting wildlife and sights at Big Cypress National Preserve (March 14), at Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve (March 15), and at Corkscrew Swamp (March 16).
One of the very first animals we saw at Big Cypress was a Manatee.  I guess I should revise that to say that we saw a Manatee’s nose!

And a trip to Florida would not be complete without seeing an Alligator.  They are truly magnificent!


At Fakahatchee Strand, we saw the following: 


 This is a migratory creature known as Dianeus Marcotteus (aka my sister) :-) 



A hawk (possibly a Red-shouldered Hawk)



Palm leaves with another plant with heart shaped leaves (philodendron?)


 Strangler Fig on tree trunk
Diane on boardwalk
Royal Palm
A Brown Anole lizard displaying its colourful dewlap
Diane and I on boardwalk
A photographer’s paradise
Sights at Corkscrew Swamp
A sign showing the location of a rare Ghost Orchid 
My photo of this orchid plant

A sampling of the wildlife that can be seen from the boardwalk


 

2 comments:

  1. I see your enjoying yourself while the rest of us freeze in the North.

    Couldn't happen to a nicer person (persons including your sister).

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  2. Thanks Glacierbear. This was only the second time I have gone south in the winter. I usually freeze in the North as well! :-)

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