Okefenokee Swamp
(click on a photo to enlarge)
On our last full day in northeast Florida we decided to drive north into Georgia to another of our favorite spots — Okefenokee Swamp. On the way, we passed through the Osceola Wildlife Management Area where the pine flatwood forest has been managed to preserve habitat for the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Red-cockaded Woodpeckers require a clear understory and fire suppression practices in modern times have caused serious loss of habitat. The trees with nesting holes were marked with white rings around the trunks and, happily, we noticed several dozen marked trees as we drove around the area. Unfortunately we had only the briefest glimpse of one flying woodpecker that day.
Osceola WMA, Red-cockaded Woodpecker nest tree
To protect their nests, the woodpeckers drill holes all around the opening to cause the pine to ooze sap which deters predators from reaching the nest cavity. Active nest holes have lots of sap around them.
Active Red-cockaded Woodpecker nest tree
We entered Okefenokee Swamp on the west side at Stephen C. Foster State Park.
Arriving around mid-afternoon we found that the only real access to the swamp was to rent a kayak, canoe or small engine-powered boat. We opted for the boat since we had only a few hours ahead of us to explore the swamp. I’d not recommend this means of transportation if you have more time. Peace and solitude are the essence of the swamp and this is lost with a noisy gas engine, especially the one we got that killed about two dozen times! But, it did get us to some of the scenic backwater areas of the scenic swamp.
Exploring Okefenokee by boat
As we cruised through waterways bordered by majestic Bald Cypress adorned with Spanish Moss (not really a moss but a member of the Pineapple Family), we enjoyed the warbler of the cypress swamp — the Prothonotary Warbler. Their song accompanied us wherever we went.
Prothonotary Warbler (Prothonotaria citrea)
Another treat was looking up to a sky filled with ten Swallow-tailed Kites.
Swallow-tailed Kites (Elanoides forficatus)
Our Florida trip was a short but memorable one and we always look forward to returning to an area where birding and natural history is at its finest.
June 9th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Sounds like a great birding day at the swamp. Love the Prothonotary Warbler, such a beautiful bird. Great sighting of the Kite, they would be a lifer for me. Another great series of photos, Arlene.