Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge

Earlier this month we set out to explore another part of the State.. There really is a lot to Florida that is different from the sun-soaked beaches often pictured.

We camped near three different National Wildlife Refuges: Loxahatchee NWR on the Northernmost end of the Everglades, Nathanial Reed Hobe Sound NWR, and Pelican Island NWR on the Indian River lagoon near the Atlantic Coast. These pictures are from the first one.

The ongoing drought was still obvious at the beginning of our trip — very dry and not a lot of birds.

It was good hiking weather though (and by hiking, I definitely mean walking on lovely boardwalks.)

It was quite warm out, but there was enough greenery for shaded walks… the best kind.

We always learn new things from our walks. I’m as much a word nerd as I am a nature lover, so I enjoyed learning this new one and being able to take pictures showing it. The sign explains what thigmotropism is, but says nobody knows why it is. (A fun word to say, although I probably won’t use it too often in everyday conversation.)

It was a joy to come across ponds that weren’t dried up.

Boardwalks always have “rest stops,” usually a simple bench placed at an overlook. Loxahatchee was the first one I’ve ever seen that offered rocking chairs. Of course we tried them — and of course it was hard to get motivated again for the rest of the walk. We were grateful both for the rest and for being able to finish the walk.

Drive-by shot in a pretty village on our way to Pelican Island — more on that interesting Refuge and the end of our trip in another post.

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NATURE NOTES; MOSAIC MONDAY;  THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and SATURDAY CRITTERS;