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There are many cool nature parks tucked away in the southwest Florida region. I have explored the coastal area from Naples to Sarasota and discovered some fascinating spots. My wife, Edrianna, and I usually travel in our small RV and stay in state park campgrounds because most of them have large natural preserves with hiking trails where there are great opportunities to encounter wildlife. Living in our little mini fortress affords us protection from wildlife encountering us, especially while sleeping. I have heard that chipmunks have been known to eat thru tents and attack campers. Just kidding! Actually, I don’t know much about chipmunks – it could be true. Hey let’s get serious. The truth is our motor home gives us space to store several hundred pounds of camera equipment, computers, provisions, mountain bikes, clothing, chairs, grill, firewood, backpacks, our adventure hats (more about this later), books and my guitar (just the basic necessities). It also affords us mobility to venture out from our base camp to visit nearby sites.
At the western end of the Tamiami Trail, the main route that links Miami and the west coast of Florida is a small park called the Fakahachee Strand. This sounds like a nasal condition. The site consists of a short boardwalk trail that ventures into the forest and ends at a small pond on the edge of the everglades. Within this compact place you will get a glimpse of the Everglade ecosystem. I encountered this Great Blue Heron while it was hunting and it landed about 15 feet from where I was standing with my camera and tripod set-up. I couldn’t have asked for a better pose except if it had a fish in its mouth. When this bird feeds it usually spears it food with its bill. I guess if I was cleaver with Photoshop I could add a fish – maybe a great white shark. That is why I am a purist photographer – technology can lure you to the dark side. The next time you see a picture of a bird with a shark in its mouth think about that – it’s probably a fake.
Lovers Key State Park is just north of Naples and is one of the last beaches that are left in its natural state. When I was here several years ago it was full of large driftwood that had washed ashore. I usually don’t see things like this on the public beaches. Someone driving a huge bulldozer removes the naturally occurring items that the city managers perceive to be eye sores to the tourists and residents to make way for items like multi-colored beach umbrellas, chairs, coolers and an assortment of manmade items brought there so people can feel at home and enjoy the natural outdoors. My home page has a photo of my wife snapping a shot of a large hunk of driftwood during the sunset hours. This is a golden time for great shots especially for the western setting sun. I photographed this sand piper as the light was fading. When it was done frolicking in the surf the bird went back to its beach chair, grabbed a soda from the cooler and kicked back to enjoy the sunset.
One of my favorite State Parks on the west coast is Oscar Scherer State Park. It has wooded campsites alongside a river and a large parcel of open area with a hiking trail meandering through it. This gives you a taste of a native grassland habitat. This is a Gopher Tortoise. It was on one of the trails feasting on its evening meal. They are named for their digging habits, using their front legs to scoop the dry soil. A funny thing happened while Edrianna and I were occupied photographing this subject. In the corner of my eye I saw something moving along the path. I turned my head to catch what looked to be a large cat or dog walking away about 75 feet from us. I then realized it was a Bob Cat and my heart skipped a beat. I know nothing about these animals or their behavior and the fact it has the harmless name of “Bob” did not give me comfort; however, it was walking in the opposite direction and did not show interest in feasting on us for its evening meal.
These juvenile alligators were a rare find at the water hole at the Fakahatchee Strand. The two in the first shot were competing for log space during a cool morning. You can see who won. “I’m king of the world”– or at least this pond.
When land is left undisturbed beautiful things grow like this Blue Flag Iris. These flowers were all along the path at Oscar Scherer Park and bloom from March to May. These wildflowers started out looking like a weed that the typical homeowner would spend 20 dollars on defoliant to eradicate from their yard to make way for a high maintenance lawn that is just green. I eliminated grass in my backyard and now have colorful Periwinkles sprouting year round that don’t cost a cent.
Gray Squirrels are found all over Florida, but seem to be easier to approach when found in parks, mostly because people are feeding them. Normally they would regard humans as a threat and they show this in their body language. If squirrels make rapid jerks with their tails they feel threatened. Rapid waves are signs that they are agitated. Holding their tail against their back means the danger has passed. This squirrel wasn’t doing anything except batting its cute eyes looking for a push over to throw it a potato chip. It is good practice not feeding any wild animal because their natural food is better for them. Plus, they are opportunists and try to get easy meals, like the food on your picnic table.
Speaking of opportunists, the Florida Scrub-Jay is a real sneak. They have been known to steal bright items like forks and even jewelry. I saw one snatch a chip right out of my brother-in-law’s hand one time and it really surprised him. He was ok with it since it was just a potato chip. Now if it had been his watch… This bird is a threatened species and they normally eat nuts and seeds. They take the valuable jewelry to the local pawn shop. Maybe they are saving up money to purchase more Scrub-Jay preserves.
Ding Darling on Sanibel Island is a park you can drive through and observe many varieties of waterfowl. You can even leave your vehicle for some great shots from the numerous observation areas. This shot is of a Great Egret (upper right) and three Snowy Egrets. You can get a good idea of the size difference between these two species. I suggest you bring a camera with some type of telephoto ability or you might end up with photos of little white spots. You know; the ones you show to a viewer and have to explain that it is supposed to be a bird. And they act either: (A) disinterested or if they are a close friend or relative; (B) excited, while on the inside, disinterested.
Snowy Egrets stick one foot forward and rapidly vibrate it to startle their prey. Their diet consists of crustaceans, insects and fish. This species is thriving today, but early in the 20th century was almost wiped out because their plumage was used in ladies fashions. Thank you to the smart people who decided that dressing like Big Bird can be quite silly.
Remember the most common of animals can make a great subject for a photo under the right circumstance. A Ring-Billed Gull is often seen at most Florida’s beaches. A common rule of wildlife photography is try not to take pictures of animals as they are looking away, but I believe in breaking the rules. You can decide for yourself.
As we travel to more parks we will update this page.
For More Information on:
Ding Darling:
http://www.fws.gov/dingdarling/
Florida State Parks:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/
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