Monday, March 23, 2009

Valentine's Day Winter Swamp Walk

As many of you already know, we celebrate the swamp every year with a Labor Day Swamp Walk in September. Unfortunately, our winter snow-birds miss this wonderful opportunity to have a personal relationship with the swamp by participating in a swamp walk. For years our winter-snow birds have been begging us to do one in the winter when they are in Florida. We finally decided to try it. This year is our first year doing a winter swamp walk. Everyone had a great time...as the photos will explain...

Jackie in front of the gallery introducing
Rick Cruz - swamp guide - to participants.

Our guides this year were:
Charles - Dragonfly Expeditions
Bob - Dragonfly Expeditions
Julie - our employee & biologist
Rick - employee, artist in our gallery, & naturalist

Making their way to the back part of our property for the swamp walk

Bob talking about "things" that you may not see
because they are under the water in the swamp

Julie leading a group into the swamp...



The adventurous spirit of the young...



Family fun in the swamp!

Into the winter woods of Big Cypress

Hiking through the naked cypress trees of winter

Bob showing everyone the snail that the Snail Kite eats.

Bob pointing out an orchid

We were surprised that the water was still deep!
Normally, the water is much lower by Feb.

Julie pointing out the biological diversity in Big Cypress


After the walk is finished, everyone washes their shoes and feet

And...mucky socks!

Happy Valentines Day!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Christmas Swamp Walk

For those folks who have everything, and love adventure,
we offer a Christmas Gift Certificate for a Swamp walk
and lunch with Clyde.
It is a lot of fun and a great adventure!

This year our guides were:

Julie: Biologist, Florida Master Naturalist and Certified Interpretive Guide (NAI)

Rick Cruz - Naturalist and Fine Art Photographer
www.rickcruzphotography.com

photos were taken by Paul Shatz
www.paulshatz.com


INTO THE SWAMP!

Survived the savage swamp and
made it back to dry land!

Cleaning the mud off clothes & shoes

Lunch with Clyde.
Adventure, fresh air, good company
and good food...what could be better?
Merry Christmas!