Wakulla, anhinga and manatee
I was in flight during the simultaneous multi-city protests across the country on Saturday, but I'm sure you've read plenty already on other blogs. For a smaller-city perspective, go check out Martini Gurlatalova's coverage of the Des Moines, Iowa protests.
I'm in Tallahassee, Florida for work, but came down a few days early to check out the sights in the panhandle of Florida. On Saturday I checked into the quaint, 1930's style lodge at the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park just south of Tallahassee, Florida. These springs pump millions of gallons of crystal-clear water up to the surface. Several Tarzan films starring Johnny Weissmuller, Airport '77, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon were all filmed there due to the amazing clarity of the water.
I didn't so much as see, but first heard the manatees near the lodge. When they surface for air they make a sound much like a whale would, and I quickly figured out what they were. The websites for the park didn't mention they'd be there, so it was quite a pleasant surprise. I was planning on camping in the area, but I'm glad I didn't as it was near-freezing while I was there. The food at the lodge was good, and all the desserts, including delicious key lime pie, were baked on site.
The next day I went on a boat tour down the river created by the springs, and got a world-class view of local wildlife. I've been on a lot of wildlife tours, and this was one of the best. I was right up close to many American alligators, Suwannee Cooters, freshwater mullet, common moorhen and purple gallinule, anhingas and of course more manatee. The entire photo gallery can be viewed here.
After my wildlife expedition, I drove out to the Lighthouse at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. I also visited the San Marcos de Apalachee State Park nearby.
Today I drove back towards Tallahassee and stopped at the Leon Sinks Geological Area in the Apalachicola National Forest. I wanted to see the Big Dismal Sink to check off on my list of visiting all things Dismal (I've already been to the Great Dismal Swamp). I'll have to say the Big Dismal Sink wasn't very Dismal, it was kind of festive, actually.
The whole area is riddled with limestone karst topography, making for a very spring- and sinkhole-laden landscape. I hiked on a four-mile loop trail that skirted the edges of these depressions that are filled with groundwater. A sink may have trees growing in it, but differs from a swamp as a sink is filled with groundwater, whereas a swamp is filled with surface water. If water goes down into a hole instead of from a hole, it's called a rise. The naming doesn't make any sense, sort of like how a towboat pushes barges whereas a tugboat pulls barges. I wasn't responsible for naming topographical features.
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I wish I had been with you to see the manatees. The anhingas look rather like cormorants.
I'd love to be down in Florida for viewing of wildlife - we had snow showers for the third time in two weeks yesterday morning!
Nice pics BTW. And LOVE the name - Big Dismal Sink, sounds like the name of a bar in a John Waters movie casting Divine as the bartendress/madame and Mink Stole flipping tricks in the bathroom.
I'm jealous. I've never gotten to see a manatee. Northern Florida is amazingly beautiful, though I've never been west into the panhandle. I always see great birds and bugs when I'm in the Gainesville area.
I love manatees! Get pictures of them!!! And maybe swim with them!
Tallahassee... My olde stomping grounds. You can see my sculpture on FSU campus on Woodward (just off Tennessee) by then student union.. hint it's the one with the hammer
Christ! Wakulla County had some of my favorite bars... Two places in particular - Posey's on the St Marks - everyone went there from Drag Queens to Yokels (on Sunday's someone's mother would be there at the bar snapping peas and drinking a Natural Light during the Country-oke) when that Closed we'd go down to "County Line" and get into good natured redneck/biker fights - I befriended a bouncer who had "trouble" tattooed under her eye - ah the memories...
OH! and ever year people die while swimming in the sinkholes and suddenly they "flush" many lost in then Florida aquifer.
Also used to have a cool sulfur spring to go skinny dipping in ... bubbles tickled
That sounds like an inspired trip. I would have loved to have gone with you and would have in a heartbeat. I have to say, I bought Crichton's "State of Fear", which I had no plans to do, because of your earlier post. However, I strongly believe that global warming/climate change is real and primarily human made. Not because of Al Gore, or because of the “conventional wisdom” that Michael Crichton has said he has a great aversion to. It’s because of the preponderance of peer reviewed scientific evidence in its favor. In fact, I organized a global warming/climate change group called the Irvine-Global-Warming-Group.
I think that all those wonderful animals and habitats there in Florida are in harm’s way, particularly because of their location and their environmental tolerance levels. It’s for that reason I believe Global Warming is NOT something we have the luxury debating about until we get it resolved on our own timeframe, like other issues. The planet is working on its own timeframe.
I know, too serious, right? Well quit tapping into my consciousness so perfectly, kay? Geez.