Back to the Slough

Six-Mile Cypress Slough used to be one of our regular nature walk places , but it had been a couple of years since we'd visited.   So it was great to get to go back one day last week.

 

Green Heron on Alligator Lake

We  didn't even get all the way around the trail because there are so many overlooks and places to spot wildlife.    This Green Heron was waiting patiently for a fish to swim by as he perched on a  lily-pad raft at the edge of the lake.  (We didn't see a single Alligator on the Lake named for it .)  

 

Cypress Tree Forest Wetlands

It's the end of the dry season here in Florida, but there's been enough rain to turn the forest floor green.  The Cypress Tree needles are still brown.  They'll  turn green during the wet season.   The white spots on the trunks are lichen  and they are signs of healthy trees.

 

Not really lily pads floating in the sky.    It's the beautiful blue sky reflected on the surface of the Lake.   I like seeing upside down skies.

 

 

 A little natural Valentine floating in the water -- and some pretty blue pickleweed on the edge of this pond.

 

There was a pair of Tri-Colored Herons enjoying the puddles in the Cypress Forest.  

 

Six Mile Cypress Slough got its name in the early 1900s.  Travelers in wagons would get stuck in this low, swampy area (the Slough) on their way to Fort Myers.  They knew it was six miles more to town once they got unstuck.

 

 

In addition to providing a sanctuary for plants and animals, this forested wetland is important because it stores water during heavy rains and cleans that water before it flows into Estero Bay.     

 

Florida Softshell Turtle

We didn't see alligators, but did spot this variety of everybody's favorite reptile.  The Softshell Turtle was crawling through some pretty dry looking habitat, probably on its way to the nearest water.   These turtles are big ones!  They can get up to 24 inches across.  

A little more  Plant Life in the Swamp.  The plants in the top photo are Resurrection Ferns -- they'll come back in the next wet season.  I don't know what the one in the lower photo is but it looks like a miniature sun. 

There was a hawk nest up in these trees  -- I saw the adults flying back and forth and spent too much time trying to get a picture with no luck.  But it was fun to watch.  And at   at least I got  a picture of the blue sky while looking up at it.  

We had a lovely morning at Six Mile.  This is the time of year when we're grateful we can stay later here in the sunshine state than most winter visitors do.  We like to pretend we're local -- and we're happy to enjoy the less crowded conditions.   

 

Linking to the following sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the hosts. 

NATURE NOTES; MOSAIC MONDAY;  THROUGH MY LENS;   MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; WILD BIRD Wednesday;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  and SATURDAY CRITTERS 

Comments

[Linda P]

What an interesting habitat! I would love to take one of those trails to observe the creatures that live in such conditions. I've learnt a lot from your descriptions and it was interesting to see your photos.

[Michelle Keltner]

I like that little green heron and the hawk nest is lovely. I like the swampy look with the cypress trees. Thanks for linking up and I hope you are having a great week.

[Traude "Rostrose"]

Dear Sallie, it was great accompanying you at Six Mile. There is a wonderful amount of wildlife to observe there and also wonderful plants. The photo of the Cypress Tree Forest Wetlands looks magical - the trees have a very special shape and the white lichen spots give the forest a somewhat fairytale atmosphere. Oh, and I like seeing upside down skies too! :-D
All the best, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/05/weltreise-2024-4-station-tasmanien-teil.html

[Stewart M]

Herons are such great birds to watch. And that 'swamp forest' looks remarkable.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

[hena]

You got such great pictures.

[Sue Batz]

Really love your upside down sky photo and the red heart plant..All the wild life is wonderful..well actually the entire post is wonderful. Enjoyed everything about it.
Sue

[Lavender Dreams]

It really is a beautiful time of year. It's getting hot but not so bad that you can't breathe! lol I love the Cypress trees and the reflection of the clouds in the water. The heart is special and so is that turtle! I would love to visit that area. Thanks for sharing and being such a sweet friend, Diane

[Shiju Sugunan]

Love the upside-down sky picture and Cypress tree forest. Glad you enjoyed your time in nature!

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
I see I left a comment above, I do love the Herons. The soft shelled turtle is a great sighting. They are all beautiful photos from your visit to the wetlands. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and happy weekend.

[D.]

Ah! the richness of wetland areas! There's always so much the fauna and flora to see. You sure had a great time at Six Mile!
I've been wanting to see the trees that thrive in swampy water. Thank you for the sneak peek. :)

And the lily pad picture is super cool! <3

Have a great weekend! :)

[Dina Johnston]

Looks like a great walk!

[Linda Walcroft]

Oh neat! Thanks for taking us with you.

[Photo Cache]

Wow, I like the sighting of the hawk's nest.

[Judy Faye Biggerstaff]

Aren't you happy you went back to walk through the Six-Mile Cypress Slough. Good pics, so many interesting creatures and sights to see. Love the herons.

[Aimz]

hmmm not sure how I feel about Alligators, luckily we don't have them here.

[Peter B.]

Beautiful photos! Interesting to see all the lichen on the cypress trees.

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Good sky reflection.

[::: Heidrun]

Another round of MosaicMonday in beautiful May... and I am very happy about your contribution, dear Sallie. This walk through the natur is an interesting way for me.

More pictures this week that tell the story of your surroundings, of nature, of your everyday life. Pictures that also tell a story.

Thank you for your participation.

Have a good time, best wishes from Heidrun

[Coloring Outside the Lines]

These are great photos, and how wonderful to see all the wildlife. Have a great day!

[Gattina]

Your photos are gorgeous ! That's nice that you can drive around and visit different places ! I am stuck with the weather, it is always raining or cloudy skies, but it is not too cold. This humidity is not good for my lung disease and I avoid to go out, fortunately we have this wonderful park to walk around. I would like to travel, but I don't dare, I never know when I have lung problems and have to sit down to get back my breath. It's strange sometimes I have nothing for at least a month and then it starts again ! I am really happy to be here, in case I get ill ! Maybe in summer it will get better, hopefully !

[Beatrice]

Sallie, it is wonderful to have such a great place to walk and explore and certainly there was a lot to see on your visit. Great blue herons are always a favorite of mine and this week the one that visits the Nashua River in warmer weather returned. We have 2 families of Canada Geese with possibly more to come.

[mae]

Your photos are beautiful, and cause me to remember the one time we walked and drove in a similar habitat, with cypress trees and beautiful water all around. It’s easy to forget that Florida has so much natural beauty, as today’s headlines about the state are dominated by such ugliness.

best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Debbie]

six mile cypress slough looks like a great place to walk!! you saw and captured some outstanding images...neat to see so many tri colored herons. who needs to see alligators, when you see a nice healthy turtle!! i really like the last image!!

[Alycia Quilts]

What a very pretty place - it is very wet tho - is it humid too? I can not imagine taking a wagon thru some of that stuff.

[cloudia]

What a very magical place! Aloha!

[Breathtaking]

Hello Sallie :=)

Beautiful nature scenes of the wildlife in Cypress Slough. The Cypress trees look like they are all wearing pleated dresses.I could imagine them dancing, does that seem silly, perhaps, but I have never seen Cypress trees like that.Lovely lake picture with the cloud reflection, and the Softshell Turtle is a new species to me.Lovely shots of the Heron,the large Hawk's nest, and the pretty flowers,... I felt like I was there with you.
All the best.
Sonjia

[Yogi's Den]

You got some finds with the wildlife. A green heron, a tri-colored heron, the turtle. Plus some great views of the marsh and trees. True you didn't see any alligators but maybe they saw you!

[Michelle Banks]

They make such big nests. It is amazing...Michelle

[DeniseinVA]

Lovely captures! The last time I saw a Green Heron was when we were on holiday in Florida and that's been years ago. This is a place I would love to explore. Have a great week Sallie :)

[Soma @ InkTorrents.com]

Beautiful photo of the lilies and the sky. Looks like a painting. The heron is so pretty. A lovely walk and a wonderful place to explore.

-Soma

[Sognafaret]

Wow so many birds. Birds and wather are never wrong

[veronica lee]

What a delightful place to explore, Sallie!
Your photos are amazing!
I especially loved the lily pad photos.

Happy Tuesday!

[magiceye]

Marvelous nature photos and captions!

[Tony McGurk]

Great photos & I really like the Cypress Tree Forest photo. Nice work.

[Carol]

Thanks for taking me on a hike. I don't really hike anymore. My gait isn't always steady. I enjoyed your photos of the habitat and wildlife. Love the big turtle.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wow! What a fascinating place and great series of photos ~ herons were amazing as well as the hawk ~ love the 'lily pad 'sky look' ~ thanks ~ hugs,

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[ellen b.]

What a beautiful heron that is. Love the photos you captured. I also think that lily pad photos is so cool with the sky reflections on the water. Happy belated Mother's day to you! Have a wonderful week!

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
Looks like a wonderful place to explore!
Love the Herons and the hawk on the nest.
The sky reflections are very pretty.
Take care, have a great week!