3.10.2009

An Enchanted Forest

Mistletoe grows on the tupelo gums (Nyssa aquatica) and causes them to grow into some pretty unusual shapes. In the transition area between the pond and the swamp and then on into the swamp there are quite a few twisted tupelos. The area is known as the enchanted forest and you find yourself looking for faces in the contorted limbs and trunks.

 
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7 comments:

R.Powers said...

What a fine gator.

Anonymous said...

FC,
Quite the chunky monkey, that one. It obviously eats well.

KaHolly said...

Oh, you changed your header! Great picture of a gator. Jumped right out at me! You know, I don't think I've ever really been "in a swamp". There's a certain appeal there. Hope I can grab the opportunity some time. We have all kinds of wetlands, but no swamps like you.

swamp4me said...

KaHolly,
You may not have gators and Spanish moss, but you have some great bogs and marshes up there. Plus, you have beaches with rocks!! How exotic is that ;)

Anonymous said...

Swampy- Your gator pic is terrific. That fellow needs a diet though! Is that from your most recent paddle with the kids or earlier. Obviously you've had some warm weather if the gators are basking. All of our gators have started there mating rituals, lots of roaring as the big guys are concentrated in one wet area left on the Refuge. The smaller ones are all wallowing and hoping the drought ends before they get eaten by the bigger guys. Maineiac

swamp4me said...

Maineiac,
Yep, that gator was out on Sunday afternoon. We have had several warm days here. Today it is supposed to be near 80 - but then it is supposed to cool down as the week progresses. No evidence of gators getting their groove on here ;)

KaHolly said...

Swamp, you've got that right!! And I love them all. I'm a wetland-a-holic!!!