Feature: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

In the heart of the metropolitan area of Fort Myers, Florida, is a jewel named Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve that can be compared to the renowned National Audubon Society Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to the southeast.

The Tufted Titmouse above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

Vehicle traffic noise and a comparatively narrow boardwalk are the two greatest detractions at Six Mile Cypress.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve had its inception in 1976 after taxpayers voted for a self imposed tax for the acquisition of land for public use with the preserve's boardwalk open for public use in 1991.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

31 marked points along the boardwalk designate areas of interest with a companion guide available to educate and enlighten about this extraordinary place.

The Slough's boardwalk, at over a mile in length, allows for observation of about 80 acres of land within the preserve.

The Black-and-White Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

2549 acres constitute the Slough (pronounced "slew") overall.

The summer wet season is the time of rejuvenation for the preserve when its plants and less obvious inhabitants begin anew.

The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

As rainwater flows across the mitigation area, the water is cleansed of pollutants.

The water will remain in several small ponds at the preserve in the dry season's winter months with a congregation of sustenance for larger wading birds in particular that will gorge for the survival of their future families in the spring.

The American Redstart above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

During the late summer, turtles and birds will feast on alligator hatchlings.

A pair of visits to the preserve this week were with hopes of observing bird migration activity.

The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

While my review of Great Florida Birding Trail guides seems to indicate that spring time is the best time of year for wildlife observation and its diversity overall, there was very enjoyable passerine activity as hoped.

The dark understory of the preserve offers a jungle like appeal particularly through the calls of the Pileated Woodpecker.

The Black-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

Be advised that a very slow pace be made during your visit with opportunities to sit and wait for wildlife to come to you.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve allows for a diverse wildlife experience through both sight and sound and should not be missed.

The Carolina Wren above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

My visits to the preserve this week offered views of water under virtually the entire length of the boardwalk with a fish occasionally darting into a temporary haven.

One species of fish at the Slough called Gambusia specializes in eating mosquito larvae which keeps the biting insect at bay.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

With the rainy season at an end early this year and cooler weather offering near record low temperatures, the water is already receding and ultimately only to be seen in Wood Duck, Otter, and Pop Ash Ponds and Gator Lake at the Ampitheater in the late winter months.

The flora and fauna of the Slough can be enjoyed at any time of year with potentially the very unexpected to delight the senses.

The infrequent visitor to the Slough above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

If the opportunity arises, a visit to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve would be most extraordinary when timed with a weather event during the migratory months of October and March.

Twice daily guided walks are available at scheduled times during the months of January through March with daily walks scheduled during April, November, and December with Wednesday walks scheduled May through October.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2010.

Much thanks to Tim Rucci for giving me an introductory primer on the CS5 photo software I will be using for my photo editing going forward.

Flip of A Coin

At the start of the day, I had no set destination in mind.

The musician above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

When too late to take advantage of early morning light for ideal photography and too cold and breezy to consider use of the kayak, I decided a trip to Lovers Key State Park was in order.

The traffic was stopped and bumper to bumper over a mile from the Matanzas bridge so I made a U-turn to avoid the worst of the tourist effect.

The musician above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

Parking at Bunche Beach Preserve shortly thereafter proved equal evidence of the peak of the season.

Walking west from the parking area along San Carlos Bay proved that putting in the kayak earlier would have been disastrous as the wind was unseasonably strong again.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

The approaching high tide required walking very close to shore as I've only had to do on a couple prior occasions.

Until I hunkered down at the entrance of the west channel, I had only observed the Laughing Gull which showed peak evidence of its mating colors.

The Wood Stork above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

There were only a few Snowy Egrets at the channel in the water hunting with over flights of the gull, Osprey and Wood Stork.

With an intent to photograph the Burrowing Owl in late afternoon light, I headed back to the car.

The beach enthusiast above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

A call from my brother Jim requesting shots of the Red Sox in spring training was fresh in my mind as I approached beach enthusiasts with gloves in hand.

They were welcomed as I had the opportunity to practice framing and timing the throw of a ball.

The beach enthusiast above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

With a little spare time before the sun was low on the horizon, I stopped at Lakes Park with a hope to see the Roseate Spoonbill.

I was captivated by a small stand of cypress trees where I decided to settle down at and study passerines which preserved my energy.

The beach enthusiasts above were photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

From this vantage point I noted the presence of a few smaller species and over flights of flocks of wading birds.

My visit to Cape Coral for Burrowing Owl observation turned out to be a little early which allowed me to drive around to see what action might be happening at different nests that had previously appeared inactive.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

It was my great fortune to see the mating of owls around the Cape Coral Library which was an unexpectedly early occurrence as the sun was very close to setting.

With the event occurring so relatively early in good light, I was able to return to another nest that I had observed a pair of owls at.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

My return to this nest still had only the female guarding its territory.

Before leaving the nest earlier, the male owl had flown out of sight with its return for the mating event which occurred very briefly and before the last of the day's light to record the event with benefit of flash.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

A perfect day it was overall.