Fakahatchee Scenery & Critters!

[dgenovese1]

Hey Folks,

I've been wanting to take a trip to the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve just so that I could photograph some of the scenery and critters that are there. I didn't go swamp hiking to hunt for chids...although I did look for them from the trails along the swamp edge (didn't locate any). I was able to take a ton of photos, and have narrowed them down to 20 that I'd like to share.

I'll post the first ten here...the scenery shots...and the second 10 in the next frame.

1. Welcome to the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve! This sign is posted at the far end of the preserve property.
2. Some cypress knees sticking out of the swamp.
3. A wild Royal Palm located along the trail from gate 15 (this guy was about 40 feet tall).
4. A section of the swamp along Janes Scenic Drive casting a clear reflection in teh water.
5. Another Royal Palm growing amongst bald cypress near gate 12.
6. A swamp scene from along the gate 12 trail.
7. I call this a swamp lily...don't know the real name.
8. Here's a whole grove (if that's what you'd call it) of Royal Palms growing along the gate 12 trail.
9. A swath of Boston ferns growing along the trail.
10. A panoramic view of the grass prairie near the beginning of Janes Scenic Drive.