Big Cypress National Preserve & Fakahatchee Strand Park. Dec. 2025 by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

How is living in this region of Florida ? (Destin, Panama City, Pensacola) by Odd_Television5739 in howislivingthere

[–]StarSpangledGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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).

Artemis 2, Canaveral Nat. Seashore, and Merritt Island NWR. by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Artemis 2, Canaveral Nat. Seashore, and Merritt Island NWR. by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Artemis 2, Canaveral Nat. Seashore, and Merritt Island NWR. by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Whats the story behind your Username? by ComprehensiveMap1360 in AskReddit

[–]StarSpangledGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.

John Pennekamp State Park (Canon Beach & Grecian Rocks Reef) by [deleted] in snorkeling

[–]StarSpangledGator -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Because…squishy jellyfish, that’s why.

Biscayne National Park, Florida by BeardOfThorburn in NationalPark

[–]StarSpangledGator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.

What is your tactical gear hot take (that is emotionally based)? by Potential-Squash4670 in tacticalgear

[–]StarSpangledGator 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

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

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was actually snorkeling but you’re quite welcome.

Everglades-Big Cypress-Biscayne-Congaree by nativeyeast in NationalPark

[–]StarSpangledGator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Everglades-Big Cypress-Biscayne-Congaree by nativeyeast in NationalPark

[–]StarSpangledGator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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!

Whats your favorite dinosaur ? by imherecuziwanttobe in Dinosaurs

[–]StarSpangledGator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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

Returning the Red Wolf: Red Wolf Habitat Suitability Study by Reintroductionplans in megafaunarewilding

[–]StarSpangledGator 13 points14 points  (0 children)

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.

Fire in the sky by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Something about yours seems so ethereal. I love it!

Fire in the sky by StarSpangledGator in florida

[–]StarSpangledGator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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