This past Sunday we visited Myakka River State Park, one of Florida's oldest and largest (58 square miles). It is located in central Sarasota County, just seven miles east of I-75, and preserves a diverse set of distinctive natural landscapes. In addition to the Myakka River floodplain there are swamps, dense forests of hardwoods and palm, several large lakes and extensive tracts of dry prairie land. This is one of the most interesting natural areas in Florida and judging by the number of visitors very popular too.
Myakka River
Trail along the river floodplain
Floodplain palm forest
The forest canopy as seen from a 74 foot observation tower.
Wild boar
Red shouldered hawk
Upper Myakka Lake
Black vulture convention by the lake
In addition to hiking, camping and fishing there are trails for horseback riding and as well as interpretive presentations and guided hikes. You can also hop aboard one of the world's two largest airboats, the Myakka Maiden or the Gator Gal for a scenic cruise on Upper Myakka Lake or take a Tram Safari into the backcountry. There is enough room here to take extended backpacking trips into the interior but I would strongly suggest doing this in the winter when the bugs and heat are less intense. All in all a great place to enjoy the essence of natural Florida.
Where the prairie meets the forest
Some very interesting ant hill architecture
Steer clear of the velvet ant (Dasymutilla magnifica).
Black vultures in a tree waiting for death to bring them lunch.
Where the prairie meets the forest
Some very interesting ant hill architecture
Steer clear of the velvet ant (Dasymutilla magnifica).
Black vultures in a tree waiting for death to bring them lunch.
6 comments:
A small correction my friend... your hawk is a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus). The red-tail typical inhabits more open habitats, particularly along edges. The red-shouldered is more a hawk of forests, feeding on a variety of small vertebrates and insects. It's shrill calls are a fairly common sound in many parts of Florida.
Your correction is noted and the change has been made.
I see Shane is prepared for his interview! Good on ya!
Though you didn't notice his improper use of "it's". Getting a little lax in the use of the grease pen old man?
LOL
Good one. My excuse is that I was too thrown by his painful phrase "The red-tail typical inhabits more open habitats..." to notice any errors that may have come after.
You'd think they'd teach PhDs how to write mo' betta.
Very nice photos and info. I have a pretty good travel video on Myakka River State Park I shot in May 2010. Myakka is a really nice place to spend the day. All the best.
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