Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary conserves 13,000 magnificent acres, and not only protects a fragile 500-year-old forest of bald cypress trees which had been slated for timber sale (like its neighboring forests had been), but also provides vital habitat for migratory and permanent wildlife, some of which are on the endangered and threatened lists. In addition to the cypress forest, Corkscrew contains strangler figs, native grasses, pond apple and red maple trees, as well as the seasonal ghost orchid plant. Egrets, heron, ibis, anhingas, and other migratory birds call this home, as well as gators, turtles, deer, and owls.
A 2.2 mile boardwalk protects the delicate environment as well as the visitors as they wend their way through the cypress forest, pine flatwoods, swamp, and wetlands. Various side branches of the boardwalk take you to other points of interest, including a raised platform overlooking the prairie.
Here's the map of the property...
A dozen or so Cypress Trees (which are relatives of the redwoods) have been tagged as "Landmarks" and awarded names of local activists influential in birthing the Corkscrew's existence, national officials with the Audubon Society, and national figures who began the conservation/preservation movement in our country -- namely John Muir, Aldo Leopold, and President Teddy Roosevelt. Below is the Leopold tree which is over 500 years old, 98 feet tall (despite losing its top to hurricanes), and has a 22 foot circumference at chest height.
Here are some of the birds I was able to photograph. First, an anhinga drying its wings in the sun...
A black-crowned night heron nestled in the undergrowth...
A great white egret...
Some hungry white ibis...
...and a snowy egret (now protected from plume hunters.)
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is located at 375 Sanctuary Road, Naples, Florida, 34120 -- located 15 miles east of I-75 at exit 111 (239-348-9151)
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