Florida State Parks

We've recently returned from two very nice parks on the west coast about 3 hours journey from Stuart. The first one was Mayaaka SP. It is the largest in Florida and represents "the real Florida!" We sighted at least 9 alligators and several new bird sightings for me. I am at work identifying them. We had a guided tour by the ranger with one other fellow and learned a few new things. I can now tell the difference between Live Oaks and Laurel Oaks, (Live Oaks have deeper crevices in the bark which allows for "epiphytes" to attach and live on the host tree, as well as thicker slightly shorter leaves. I observed Cardinal Moss, Ball Moss, Butterfly Orchids and Spanish Moss hanging from the trees. This is the view from the camper back door at our site in Oscar Sherer SP

Spotted a Gopher Tortoise

And spotted some large alligators

Bob and I climbed the tower to get a bird's eye view of the Mayaaka Forest and Plains

And no day would be complete without Happy Hour!