A WANDERING WEEK IN FLORIDA #1

If one focuses on Florida’s landscapes, birds and wildlife, ignoring peoples’ politics and outlooks, it has much to offer the walking poet.  In less than a week walking and kayaking, exploring in 9 state parks and conservation areas, searching for Manatees and birds, I felt refreshed - green therapy.
In this episode join me in these state parks:  Myakka River and Forest ,  Hillsborough River, and Colt Creek.

Transcript

A Wandering Week in Florida 1

If one focuses on Florida’s landscapes, birds and wildlife, ignoring peoples’ politics and outlooks, it has much to offer the walking poet.  In less than a week walking and kayaking, exploring in 9 state parks and conservation areas, searching for Manatees and birds, I felt refreshed - green therapy.

Myakka River

The surprisingly cold March winds

whipping across the lake

choppy white caps and wavy sands

A flock of pure white pelicans

land together in formation

and float past silently.

Closer to shore

on long skinny red legs

Black neck stilts wade

Then take off aerodynamically

flying perfectly horizontal 

led by their long pointed beaks.

Their more colorful cousins, 

American Avocets 

Still probing and wading

on their stilt black legs

swing their reddish brown heads

with long sharp beaks

in unison and keep foraging

The large limpkins,

brown and white speckled

Standing in deep water

are watched by the plovers and ducks

bobbing up and down on the waves.

All this time 

on the far shore

The lazy alligators lie around

blue herons preen themselves

and I am content to stand and watch

the bird show

Mayakka Forest

The trees are large and complex

long strong limbs stretching out

like welcoming arms

for moss, ferns, bromeliads

and unseen varieties of insects.

In the early morning dew

the spiders webs are sparkling 

woven so perfectly

waiting for their victims

to play their role

in the continuous cycle

of life and death.

Hillsborough River

On a whim I turn left,

off my planned route.

taking the rapids trail 

through oaks, pines and ferns

I see my first florida rapids 

Class 2 it says.

Dropping slowly down

over a dozen spread out boulders

after a heavy rain storm

One could call this a “rapid”.

The sunlight filters through,

the leafy branches of large pond cypresses 

with their wide trunks

holding firm in the flowing stream.

As the stream widens out

water diamonds sparkle,

dancing around the turtles

resting on the bleached logs

below the waiting Anhinga.

to remind us we are in Florida,

A sign describes the American Alligator

which thoughtfully is sunbathing

on the opposite bank.

Colt Creek

I ask the lady at the entrance 

best places for photography.

Clyde Butcher was here

he donated his photo to the park.

Putting on my shoes

Ivan tells me he is training

for a 45 mile race,

I remember lunch in Les Houches.

A sunny day under Mont Blanc.

The runners had just completed

100 miles around Mont Blanc

in 24 hours

I am ready for a long walk

I pick the 10 mile trail

Away for the coast

wanting different terrain.

Central Florida habitat

This is a real forest 

strands of tall longleaf pine

with saw palm foreground

an occasional cypress dome

small patches of swamp

side trails off to primitive campsites

Shades of green and brown

broken by dazzling butterflies

and meadows with wild flowers.

I freeze, completely still

in the silence of the forest

no-one around me

just beautiful butterflies

shades of orange, yellow, black and brown

White and turquoise 

intricate patterns and designs

like natures flying carpets.

Moving rapidly from flower to flower

drinking in nectar and moving on.

Names as fascinating as their patterns:

Gulf Fritillary, Silver Spot Skipper,

Horaces dusky wing, tropical checkered skipper,

The Southern Dogface and the Queen.

the White Peacock and the Zebra Longing.

Lunch on a bench over halfway,

imaging the sound of turkeys gobbling

thinking a healthy dinner in Dade City.

Soon enough I will discover 

good food is not a priority

in this neck of the woods.

completing the circuit at the pond

I am happy to see the car

and sit under the shade

and plan my route to my next stop

Homosassis.

©MartinStrasmore2023