Wow, the photo trips into the jungles of Vietnam and Borneo are so awesome. Here is a small photo journey or our recent trip into the Florida Everglades. The orchids we photod were not blooming but we were excited about finding them just the same.
Our trip began with a stay with our good friends Molly Taco and family. From there we went to Sanibel Island for Thanksgiving and shelling, and then to Collier-Seminole State Park on the edge of the Everglades. The park is home to the last remaining 'walking dredge' used to build the road (Tamiami Trail - hwy 41) thru the Everglades. It was fascinating! Check out the link. #172 Bay City Walking Dredge (1924) - Landmarks
The park has several walking/biking trails but we only walked a short trail on this trip. However, we did see some butterfly orchid plants and helmet orchid plants. Our short trip this year gave us the plans for our next trip!
In 2005 hurricane Wilma destroyed many of the orchids, broms, and upper tree story of the area but is it starting to recover. Just off hwy 41 is popular half mile boardwalk into the palm and mangrove hammacks. Don't miss this. As busy as it is, if you walk slow, stop, look, and listen, you will see incredible things.
The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is piece of land that was once logged for it's fantastic old growth cypress trees. Most of the huge cypress are gone but the ones that were too little to be logged then are coming along nicely now. The drive thru Fakahatchee is gorgeous but it is clear that orchids along the drive have been poached to the max. We did see some orchids and I'm sure we missed many, but it was tearful to see so few orchid plants in an area that hosts 40+ species. [B]We will take the swamp tour next time we come down.[B] Lead by a park ranger, you will see many of the orchids now protected and thriving in the swamps. I can't wait to go back!

Here are a few photos. Darwin is somewhere in that big machinery picture.
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Leopard frog
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Vanilla plant
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going into the Fakahatchee

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