Exploring more of the park

We decided to go on some short walks a couple of miles from the campground. Someone has a sense of humor.

Many were boardwalks.

The Pa-hoy-okee trail is short but gives great views of the land.

It is amazing how big the Everglades is and feels so untouched.

Next was the Mahogany Hammock Trail.

This was a loop into a hammock which are areas of trees and usually slightly elevated over the rest of the land. These are the only dry areas in much of the park.

More Periphyton. It is all over the glades. The Everglades depends on this strange plant.

The hammock is very dense

Palms

Hardwoods like Mahogany

Strangler fig,…

Strangle figs grow around a large tree and then will completely surround it. In the end, the fig will usually surround the tree and its roots.  Once the fig becomes strong enough to support itself and disrupts the roots of the tree, the host tree dies.  Even though it sounds harsh, the end result is that the rotting host tree becomes homes for insects, birds, and other animals.

The ferns are huge. I guess never experiencing a real winter makes growing large easier

This little bird has decided that it needs to attack our truck mirrors. He kept trying for several days.