Okefenokee Swamp 02/10-12/06

02/10-12/2006 - Okefenokee Swamp: Stephen Foster State Park in the Okefenokee Swamp was our destination for the weekend. We started out by paddling to Billys Island where a gray Fox wanted to join us for lunch. Then we hiked the short trail, passing 3 deer that seemed only slightly disturbed by our presence. The water was high and we were able to explore side routes normally inaccessible. Lots of alligators were out sunning on logs and peat blow-ups. On Saturday we paddled the Brown (Canoes only) Trail to the Sill in a steady rain. This was a beautiful, narrow, winding route through scattered cypress and gums and old cypress stumps grown over with Itea, Titi, and Fetterbush. There was no solid ground until we got to the Sill. We saw otters, raccoons, White Ibis, Pileated woodpeckers, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Little Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons, Anhingas, Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers. Lots of Vine Wicky was blooming as well as some Highbush Blueberry and one Golden Club.