Florida Wildlife
Highlands Hammock State Park
Address: 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring, Florida 33872
Phone: (863) 386-6094
Hours: Daily, 8 AM to Sunset
Admission: $6 per vehicle; $4 per single occupant vehicle; $2 for pedestrians & bicyclists
History: First opened in 1931, the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in 1934 and became one of Florida’s first state parks in 1935. Today, the park encompasses more than 9,000 acres
Hiking Trails:
- Alexander Blair Big Oak Trail (home to one of the park’s 1,000-year-old oak trees pictured above)
- Allen Altvater Trail
- Ancient Hammock Trail
- Cypress Swamp Trail (scenic catwalk and most popular trail in park)
- Fern Garden Trail
- Hickory Trail (features a narrow catwalk)
- Richard Lieber Memorial Trail (boardwalk)
- Wild Orange Grove Trail
- Young Hammock Trail
Other Park Activities:
- Bicycling
- Birding (part of Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail)
- Camping
- Geo-Seeking
- Picnicking
- Tram Tours
- Wildlife Viewing
Florida Softshell Turtle
I saw this Florida Softshell Turtle waiting patiently for me to walk by on the West Orange Trail (near the northern end of the Forest Lake Golf Club) so she could make her way across to the other side.
Riverbend Park, Jupiter
We set out from Pompano Beach for Riverbend Park in Jupiter early on Good Friday and it was a dismal, rainy morning. However, the rains subsided by the time we arrived and so we embarked on a three-hour hike through the myriad of limestone hiking, biking and equestrian trails that make up Riverbend Park. We viewed a lot of wildlife such as six deer (including a fawn!), marsh rabbit, raccoon and wood stork. The next morning, we set out for Riverbend Park again to explore the more rugged trails on the other side of the park. We enjoyed a great view of the wild and scenic Loxahatchee River from a kayak outpost and then reached the far end of the park, which was populated with cypress knees. We made our way back to the other side of the park for a quick loop and saw five more deer. All in all, a great time and next visit we are definitely going to do some kayaking here.
Black Bear Wilderness Area
With urban sprawl threatening preservation efforts everywhere throughout Central Florida, 1,600-acre Black Bear Wilderness Area in Sanford provides a welcome glimpse of wilderness amid a nightmarish sea of cul-de-sacs, strip malls and office parks. When I arrived around 10 AM last Sunday morning, the parking lot was already full, so I had to park along the street outside. The trail itself is an often rugged 7.1-mile loop (part of which runs near the St. Johns River) and features 14 numbered boardwalks, but I only had time to do a brief sampler. So I first ventured out counterclockwise for about a mile and then hiked about a mile the other way. The trail is simply amazing and I saw two alligators sunning. Florida Black Bear sighting are apparently common here, but I had no such luck. I will be back soon to hike the entire loop at Black Bear Wilderness Area!
Hike #46: Orlando Wetlands Park
Hike #46: 52 Hike Challenge: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas. If you want to totally immerse yourself in wildlife, few places in Central Florida beat Orlando Wetlands Park. With its immense popularity (especially among birders), the parking lot was almost full when I got there at 8:30 AM on a Saturday. However, I wandered away from the 2.5-mile “Birding Route” and headed around Lake Searcy, which I had to myself (along with the birds and alligators, of course!). Also, I viewed my first Roseate Spoonbill in the wild! Distance: 5 miles.
Hike #45: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Hike #45: 52 Hike Challenge: Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples. We arrived at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary around 10:15 AM on a Sunday morning and the parking lot was already full. So next time I want to get there when it opens at 7 AM. However, we did have a nice stroll along the 2.5-mile boardwalk and viewed the spectacular Bald Cypress Trees and a lot of wildlife such as two baby alligators, a raccoon and plenty of birds, including anhingas. We were disappointed to see all of the sprawling development on the way to the Sanctuary, however (all the more reason for everyone to support the health of sanctuaries like this one!). Owned and protected by the National Audubon Society, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary encompasses 13,000 acres in the heart of the Corkscrew Watershed (part of the Western Everglades) and features the largest remaining virgin bald cypress forest in the world. Distance: 2.5 miles.
Hike #41: Twin Oaks Conservation Area
Hike #41: 52 Hike Challenge: Twin Oaks Conservation Area, Kissimmee. I arrived at Twin Oaks Conservation Area mid-morning and there were few people around. Except for a few guys fishing on the dock, I had the place to myself. The site of a former cattle ranch and sod production area, Twin Oaks offers a nice stroll through a wildlife habitat along the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga (aka Lake Toho), which is part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. According to the official website, “Twin Oaks is characterized by improved pastures, live oak hammocks, wet prairies, freshwater marshes, shrub wetlands and remnant cypress.” The twin oaks that give the conservation area its name are very impressive! Be sure to bring a hat and some sunscreen since there is little shade during the entire hike. In addition to hiking and wildlife viewing, Twin Oaks offers equestrian trails, fishing, picnicking and primitive camping for groups. Distance: 1.9 miles.
Hike #40: Lake Apopka Loop Trail
Hike #40: 52 Hike Challenge: Lake Apopka Loop Trail. If you’re into birding (and alligators!), you MUST take a hike along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail (or at least plan an outing to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive). More than 150 species of birds reportedly flock to Lake Apopka during the winter months. Encompassing 30,800 acres (making it the fourth largest lake in Florida), Lake Apopka was targeted for cleanup under the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act of 1987. I reached the Lake Apopka Loop Trail from the Magnolia Park Trailhead, although it also can be accessed from the Clay Island Trailhead, Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead, North Shore Trailhead and Wildlife Drive entrance (2850 Lust Road). I saw plenty of birds, but no alligators this time out (perhaps due to it being a rather overcast day). Distance: 2.5 miles.
Wandering Florida 