We all got tired of the beach days and our skin needed a break. Mary and I did this ride a few years back and we wanted to see how things changed over the last few years. Our first stop was the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk Easily accessible from Highway 41, the boardwalk offers a awesome short stroll out into the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve where you'll discover more tropical plant species and wildlife in one area than you would think was possible. This is one of the finest nature walks you can experience! Walk underneath a canopy of native Royal Palm and Cypress trees and make your way down the boardwalk further into the Fakahatchee Strand. Look to either side where beautiful bromielads and orchids cling to the trees which give this area an Amazon-like feel. White Herons contrast with the dark surroundings and huge ferns, making for a great photo opportunity.
Along the boardwalk a large Bald Eagles Nest was visible. The web said that its been active since 1991.
After we left Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, We took some back roads. Up FL-29 to CR-837. Took this over to CR-840A which runs North South. One of these days I want to ride this road north till it ends a few miles north of Alligator Alley. But, not on this trip. What is interesting about CR-840A is that it follows the Turner River Canal so, its loaded with critters ! And these gators that you find along this road are not the tourist types... They react to you and move fast when you apprach where they are resting. Lots of dust !
Well, we went south back to US-41 and stoped at H. P. Williams Roadside Park We stop here every time we are down this way. Always something to see. Located within Big Cypress National Preserve, this is a nice place for a picnic. There's a boardwalk, plenty of parking, information, and maps. We think these are Red Turtles
Our next backroad adventure is along CR-94. It's appx. 11 miles east of H. P. Williams Roadside Park. This road is a bit more remote. A few mils south of US-41 say goodby to Cell Service ! After a few miles you come to a very wet area that usually has a good bit of wildlife. This year it was very dry but we still say a number of critters ! Barred Owl right along the road.
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
White Ibis
A few more miles we came to another opening with lots of wildlife CR-94, Dirt and straight !
The Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) is a large American wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae. It was formerly called the "Wood Ibis", though it is not really an ibis. This is a subtropical and tropical species which breeds in much of South America, Central America and the Caribbean. The Wood Stork is the only stork that presently breeds in North America. In the United States there is a small and endangered breeding population in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, along with a recently discovered rookery in southeastern North Carolina
The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja, sometimes separated in the monotypic genus Ajaia) is a wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. It is a resident breeder in South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the Gulf Coast of the United States.
The Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called Snakebird.
The Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), and a Litle Blue Heron juvenile
Great egret and a Little Blue heron
White Ibis. (The brown ones are immature)
Everyone enjoying the +90 degree temps !
Roseate spoonbill
Anhinga
Tricolored heron
CR-94 takes you back to US-41 at Fortymile Bend. Yup, 40 miles from Miami !! Close enough for us. So, we start heading west on 41 and a quick stop to see the huge gators in the pond in front of the Osis Visitor Center. Its only 48 miles back to Marco Island.
Not even April and its looking like Summer !
