Six Mile Cypress Slough

We took advantage of the cooler weekend to finally get in a little hiking.

Just a few miles away from us is Six Mile Cypress Slough, a Lee County Park.

This swamp-like area is home to numerous birds, as well as alligators, turtles, and even wild pigs!

 

 

We stopped into the Visitor Center first, where we learned that the best possibilities for wildlife viewing along the 1.25 mile boardwalk is when you walk very slowly and quietly.

From the Visitor Center, we started out on the boardwalk trail.  Walking slowly wouldn’t be a problem – lots of time for taking pictures – but quiet might be difficult with the number of people on the trail!

 

And if the noise didn’t scare the wildlife away, Bryce’s bright shoes might!!

 

 

The other thing they stressed in the Visitor Center was to “stay on the boardwalk” . . . kindof makes you wonder why they left off the railing on one side . . .

 

Our first stop was an overlook at Gator Lake.

The lake was surrounded by cattails and trees – a perfect nesting area for many shorebirds.    

We saw egrets, herons, ibis, and others that we couldn’t quite identify.

 

 

While we were at the overlook, this alligator leaped up onto the floating dock!

Around the corner, at the next viewing platform, we had an even better view!

These blue herons were having a great time – chasing each other along the surface of the lake!

 

From Gator Lake, we continued along the boardwalk, into the slough.

 

 

The trees were covered with an amazing number of airplants,

some small, and some rally big!

Others were blooming . . . some more than others!

 

As we continued along the boardwalk, we moved into the cypress swamp.

 

In addition to the cypress trees, there were also a lot of palm trees . . . it seemed very appropriate on Palm Sunday!

There were also several ponds throughout the slough, and turtles were a common occupant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At one of the ponds, an anhinga was drying his feathers, while several turtles soaked up the sun.

 

It was the perfect morning for a leisurely hike – comfortably cool, but with the sun peeking through the trees, you didn’t feel cold at all.

 

We continued on, and eventually came across some people intently watching a pile of brush that was moving like there was something moving around under it.  They had spotted a group of baby wild pigs that live in the slough.

We had to wait quite a while, but eventually one of the babies peeked its head out!

It was a beautiful morning, and we greatly enjoyed our walk on the boardwalk!