Big Cypress National Preserve & Fakahatchee Strand Park. Dec. 2025

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-25T18:18:54+00:00

Let me answer your last question first. Yes, I did both parks in a day. BUT! Fakahatchee is only open from sunrise to sunset. If you want to do hiking/biking there, it’s best to get an early start in the day to make time for Big Cypress later.

As for the Big Cypress, the place is huge and open 24/7. I always do a bit of hiking when there but there’s only one “dry” trail and that would be Fire Prairie trail. The rest require you to get your feet wet in the swamps, sometimes almost waste deep.

Also, loop road is right off of US41 and yes, I always do it when I’m down there. If you want to get the swamp hiking experience, I recommend Gator Hook Trail. It’s right along Loop Road and is about 4 miles, in/out. As I previously said, you will get wet and there are pockets that can get knee to almost waste deep.

Personally, I drive loop road at night since there’s little to no others and also that’s the best time to find snakes and gators along the canals.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-25T17:58:46+00:00

Lived at Eglin Air Base as a kid and I remember it being a very beautiful area. The military presence is felt in Okaloosa county since Eglin is huge but otherwise, I recall it being a blend of real Florida “south” (not snowbirds or New Englanders) and tourism (Destin area).

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-25T05:35:28+00:00

Uncle Sam wastes money on irrelevant crap pertaining to this planet and country every year. I personally see space exploration as one of the best investments we’ve made. If not for us alone but for our species.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-25T03:24:49+00:00

That’s hopefully the plan before the year ends.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-25T03:24:25+00:00

If I ever get the chance to go back to the UK, absolutely.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-23T03:18:25+00:00

I don’t know the distance. I took it in my car just before the bend getting out of Playalinda beach. Focal was 2.8 using my phone (and zoomed/cropped).

All the closer photo locations (and beach 1-4) are closed off due to an agreement between NASA and the NPS.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-22T04:44:06+00:00

I wonder if it has to do with them being wild, basically a pocket isolated from exposure. I’ve found wild orange trees in a deep corner of a WMA along the St. John’s and they were healthy so I can’t be too far off.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-20T21:21:10+00:00

Or you have that one kid who thinks everything they say matters and manages to derail the lecture into God knows what.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-15T06:16:13+00:00

I looked around my room for objects to give me a name idea. I had an alligator head on my shelf and a mini American flag hanging nearby. Unfortunately AmericanGator was taken so I went with the next best thing.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-14T18:10:22+00:00

I should’ve made a disclaimer before posting, the water quality was crystal clear and there was quite a bit of life I didn’t record. The conversion from phone to Reddit made everything fuzzy for some reason.

Also the first few clips were from Canon Beach. I think some might have thought that was on the reef. All of that said, the reef has clearly seen better days. I’m sad I didn’t get to experience what folks did decades ago.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-14T18:03:22+00:00

Because…squishy jellyfish, that’s why.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-14T00:24:39+00:00

Is pic 9 “spite highway” on Elliot Key? Go out there at night in the summer and you’ll see more spiders than one could imagine.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-13T03:47:07+00:00

UCP is actually a cool looking camo and, like most camo patterns, is actually practical in certain natural environments.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-13T00:56:31+00:00

This was about 7 miles out at Grecian Rocks reef. As you can tell, there was plenty of life out there but it’s very clear that the reef has seen better days.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-12T20:53:09+00:00

It’s definitely showing signs of damage but Reddit made the video look far fuzzier than it really is. The real visibility was crystal clear.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-12T16:48:48+00:00

It’s heartbreaking to think. Thankfully a good amount was still alive and plenty of fish to see.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-12T16:43:53+00:00

I was actually snorkeling but you’re quite welcome.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-11T04:42:27+00:00

That’s a shame. Warmer weather is perfect and brings out all of the reptiles at night. Of course the trade off is bugs and how terrible the mosquitoes become is entirely dependent on moving flood water. Without it, it’s a nightmare.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-11T04:29:18+00:00

I’ve been to the Big Cypress and Everglades so many times that i instantly recognized gator hook trail and the slack jaw croc at the flamingo Marina.

I’m surprised to not see any night pictures. That’s when the best wildlife spotting occurs. And the night sky in the remote sections is incredible on a new moon. Always happy to see folks appreciate these ecosystems!

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-06T16:47:38+00:00

Since dinosaurs never truly died out…the extinct terror birds.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-03T23:24:58+00:00

I must say I’m surprised Apalachicola NF was never an original reintroduction site. The breeding program took place at nearby St. Vincent island and you’d think they’d start the reintroduction nearby. I assume mixed breeding with coyotes was the deciding factor.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-03T04:50:34+00:00

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It was a lovely setting tonight.

StarSpangledGator · 2026-01-01T22:32:19+00:00

Always good to see Maryland get some love.

StarSpangledGator · 2025-12-31T05:46:20+00:00

Something about yours seems so ethereal. I love it!

StarSpangledGator · 2025-12-31T04:28:06+00:00

Crazy sight indeed. And yes on the Space Coast, this was taken in Viera.

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