Rediscovered this reserve that is right in my backyard. Once a wetlands, then a cattle ranch, the county is restoring the area to the wetlands it once was. Only better. Eight miles of trails through various habitats provide great viewing of alligators, birds, insects, mammals and more. No overnighting here, but a great daytrip.
The reserve has a great interactive discovery center, conference facility and several areas with pavilions and picnic tables for outdoor enjoyment
Walked Alligator Alley which parallels Lake Hancock. Some of the things we saw:
Gators, of course. These were in a swampy area across the trail from the lake.
Some water fowl:
Great White Egret
Anhinga
Common Moorhen
Limpkin
Walked Alligator Alley which parallels Lake Hancock. Some of the things we saw:
Gators, of course. These were in a swampy area across the trail from the lake.
Some water fowl:
Great White Egret
Anhinga
Common Moorhen
Limpkin
Some insects:
Northern Blue Damselfly?
Viceroy Butterfly
Some Flora:
Cypress Knees
Not sure. In my garden I'd pull it as an invader, but the sun made it look neat among all the green.
And, I suspect, soft shell turtle eggs.
More to follow.
Next...a different trail at the Reserve
