On Thursday morning we drove back up State Road 72 to Myakka River State Park for a day of sightseeing. Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest, largest and most diverse natural areas. It was developed in 1934 by the Cilivan Conservation Corps. The Myakka River flows through 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands. The river and it's two shallow lakes attract numerous wetland creatures.
While there we walked down a nature trail and then climbed the 70 foot towers for an awesome view of the wetlands, forest and prairie. Before climbing the tower we had to cross the Myakka canopy walkway. The walkway is suspended 25 feet above the ground and extends 100 feet through the hammock canopy. While walking on the nature trail we saw a dragonfly that was dying and a big ant commonly known as a velvet ant (the proper name for it is dasymutilla magnifica).
After climbing the tower we ate lunch at one of the picnic areas. While eating we fed the squirrels and some ugly crows. After eating lunch we hopped aboard the "Myakka Maiden" for a scenic cruise on Upper Myakka Lake. While on the lake we saw several gators, a great egret, blue heron, and an ospery.
This is a great place to visit, but not during the month of July. Especially if you have people with you that aren't into looking for wildlife.
No comments:
Post a Comment