A Last Look at Okefenokee NWR

Spring was racing across the swamp and  the upland longleaf pine ecosystem, spurring new growth, sending off some birds and bringing in others. I had to hit the brakes a lot to document the first of the year arrival of wildflowers, and birds and the more active snakes, turtles and frogs.  Even the alligators look prettier in the colorful reflections. I was excited about all the new arrivals and changes, but sad to know I would be gone before all changes of spring happened. I did miss many of the migrants, but enjoyed seeing some of them arrive. I also got to enjoy a few of the earliest spring wildflowers. And I made lots of visitors happy by telling them where to find blooming plants, including several species of carnivorous plants,  and the best places to look for migrating and nesting birds.

This is a bull alligator that was probably visiting the female that lives in this pond

One of three non-migrating sandhill cranes that  are often seen or heard from the Cane Pole Trail

A Carolina wren singing his heart out

Love those bulgy green eyes of the pig frog - reddish leg color due to color of tannic water

Displaying anole

Friendly rat snake at the tower - it could climb the open fence

The prothonotary warblers started coming in two days before I left

One of many great crested flycatchers that arrived at the refuge just before I left

Got to see blooming hooded pitcher plants

Along with parrot pitcher plants

And blue-eyed grass

On one of my earlier roving days I found a little family admiring a softshell turtle that was sitting in the road - probably a female looking for a good place to lay her eggs. The mother gave me permission to use the picture in the blog. This is the main reason for roving - sharing special plants and animals with visitors while helping them understand the purposes and management practices of the refuges.

Florida softshell turtle admirers

On the personal front, I made it to Galveston after stops for a last playdate with my  new friend, Julie, who took me on a lovely paddle, and  a short visit with one of my oldest friends, Hulin.  I got to Galveston just in time to do an exploratory paddle on the upper reaches of Cypress Creek, a lovely creek that winds through a heavily populated part of Houston, with several friends. Then I attended Tracy's marvelous welcome home party where I got to see many more of my friends.

This past weekend I went with friend Natalie, my hostess, to a tracking dog trial and then to a tour at Peckerwood Gardens, a fabulous place dedicated to finding plants from all over the world that will grow well in Houston. Now I'm getting doctor visits done and hoping to do some birding and visit with other friends.

My car in moving mode

Early Christmas Gifts from Okefenokee Swamp

In both the days when Indians lived in and around the swamp and when they were replaced by white settlers, the swamp gave them almost everything they needed, including food, building materials, and even fibers.

Today it's gifts are more for our spirit, and Okefenokee was especially generous Christmas Eve Day. Cindy and I left the East Entrance boat launch at 7:00 A.M. and started down the day use trail in time to watch the sun come up through the left-over clouds from yesterday's storm.  But soon the sun had brushed away the gray clouds, leaving only pink and white ones for us to enjoy.

Sun coming up 

View in the day-use trail

The early light turned the ordinary into magic and everywhere there were things that needed to be remembered and shared with photos.

I was particularly enthralled with the mastery this leaf had in rolling itself up into a golden horn. I listened closely but it must be waiting to play its music Christmas day.

I love the plant called golden trumpet, or never wet. I has the most beautiful blue-green and glowing leaves. Water will not stick to it so you never see water drops on it.

Orontium aquaticum

Just the best clouds left

Birds were very active our entire trip.  I started taking pictures of red-tailed hawks about the time the sun came up.  Catbirds and American goldfinch were often within sight and hearing, but too far for pictures.  Also two flocks of cedar waxwings stayed out of camera range. Lots of great egrets and first year little blue herons were too far and two brightly lit to make good pictures. A flock of ibis obligingly flew over while I had my camera on and ready to take their picture.  And we got really close to other species later.

Part of a flock of white ibis

The best of several photos of red-shouldered hawks

Cindy dressed for our cold (fifties) weather

This combination of colors and textures was another gift

A pair of sandhill cranes let us get close to them. Cindy was in the best place, closer still. 

Another crane landed just in front of Cindy, too close for her to take out her camera

Cindy found this barred owl and then guided me to it. It patiently sat around 

for both of us to take lots of pictures during two visits. 

The patient barred owl

Christmas vignette

I must have spent ten minutes enjoying bubbles made by our paddles and trying to photograph them.  For most of them, the camera wanted to focus on the reflections of trees instead of the bubble.  This one popped just after I got this shot.

Only a few minutes after we started, it was already time to go home. I was afraid to push my shoulders, or I would have been willing to stay out all day.  As it was, I got home a little after noon.

The end - for now

Merry Christmas.  Hope you have a wonderful time with friends and family.