While visiting Big Cypress National Preserve I got lost in the woods. Figuratively.
I found out about Big Cypress while at Biscayne National Park and decided I had to visit before I headed back to Orlando. It was going to be a quick visit, so I decided to drive the 24-mile loop road, stopping just at places of interest. Two hours later, I wasn’t even half way. There was too many things to stop and see! I got lost in the woods!
One of my first stops I was the only vehicle in site either direction. Stepping from the car, I stood at the edge of the gravel road admiring the cypress trees standing in the clear water. The quiet hugged me as only the wood can do. A bubble of peace relaxed the stress of business and time stopped.
Each stop presented something unique, though the cypress were everywhere. There were ibis, white herons, blue herons, crows, vultures, alligators, fish, etc. At one stop, in the distance, there were vultures circling in the sky and staggered in the trees around a dead alligator taking turns eating. They were close enough to see what was going on, but not close enough to see the gory details.
At another stop, a white heron stood still as if posing for a very long time. There was a couple taking photos of it, so I slowly inched closer so I wouldn’t scare it away, but the bird didn’t even flinch. The couple was patiently waiting for it to fly, but the bird would not comply. It was the only bird that did not move farther away when people stopped, as if in defiance. It wasn’t going to do what the people wanted. The people were in its territory.
It was fun to watch the ibis grazing in the shallow areas. With the sparse rain, there were other areas of damp soil where water normally sits. Every part was interesting to me. I’m glad I had the opportunity to check out this wonderful preserve.
My time in Florida is coming to an end. I am so grateful for the adventures I have enjoyed, both here in Florida and in the Caribbean, while staying here with my son and his wife, and the home bases they have given me.
