Welcome to the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge.
There is much more to the Okefenokee than just the SWAMP. The primary mission of the Rangers and other employees here is not as much conservation of the swamp as it is protection of the wildlife that lives here. As a matter of fact, most of the area is not swamp at all. Most of the refuge is dry land, while the next largest area is marsh land, which can vary greatly in size depending on just how much water is present. The water level can change at very dramatic rates...as much as an inch or two per hour. The condidtion of the swamp, forrest and marsh is left completely to the forces of nature. If there is a fire, there is no attempt to stop it, and the water is not controlled by dams or draining or any other artificial means. Likewise, there is nothing done to actually control the wildlife, just that the area is proteced from what otherwise might be done by external forces (like us). There is nothing added and nothing taken away.
Many years ago (before the establishment of the refuge) there was an attempt by a logging company to drain the swamp via the construction of a canal but it ended in failure. The remains of the canal was the primary water-way that you will observe in the pictures as we went on a 90 minute boat tour of this sector (East) of the refuge. The unusually vivid reflections in the water are due to the 'black' water throughout (actually a deep orange) that is a result of the huge amount of decomposition.
You will see a couple of photos that are nothing but reflections, looking like the work of some impressionist artist and be sure to look out for the 'gators and Steve, be sure to look out for your knees! [For our contest item today (excluding Steve) - just what the heck do I mean by that??]
Enjoy the photos and feel free to ask questions:
2 comments:
Cypress trees: Around a cypress tree you will also notice brown stump-like points or "knees" sticking out of the ground. The knees are part of the tree's root system, but the exact function of the knees is not known. Some scientists have thought they may help in providing oxygen to the tree and assist in anchoring the tree in the soft, muddy soil... bring on the glory!
Really nice reply Vic and absolutely correct; however, not quite quick enough on the draw...this arrived from Linda about two hours before your response:
Cypress trees are the most common
and most flood-tolerant of all
wetland trees in Florida. Cypress
trees grow along the edge of rivers, lakes and wetlands, often
forming large swamps where the trees grow close together. The
cypress tree is deciduous. This
means that the cypress tree drops its needle-like leaves during the
winter or dry season [they are beginning to change color here right now - Ty], appearing bare or even dead. Oftentimes, you'll find Spanish moss [lots of that here - Ty] and other air plants, which are types of bromeliads, hanging from the cypress tree's branches. The base of a cypress tree is very wide, which helps the tree's root system support itself in the wet soil in which it grows. Some of these bases can be as much as 6 feet across! Around a cypress tree you will also notice brown stump-like points or "knees" sticking out of the ground. The knees are part of the tree's root system, but the exact function of the knees is not known. Some scientists have thought they may help in providing oxygen to the
tree and assist in anchoring the tree in the soft, muddy soil.
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