In 2022, I visited Myakka River State Park in Florida:
“The forest is dominated by oaks and cabbage palms. The canopy is about 15 to 20 metres high. The thick branches of the oaks in particular are densely covered with tillandsias. These usually colonise the underside of the branches. It looks like thick underarm hair. The upper side belongs to the resurrection fern. This type of fern shrivels up in dry weather and looks dead. But when it rains, the brown fronds turn green and unfold. Between the ferns and tillandsias, the butterfly orchid clings to the rough trunks. It flowers in June.
The shrub layer is occupied by palms. To reach the light, they grow horizontally along the ground. This can happen over several metres. When they reach a place with light, they grow upwards.
The animals of this forest include turkeys, raccoons, deer and invasive wild boar. There are also birds whose presence is proclaimed by their chirping. A road sign warns of land tortoises. Small scorpions are said to live under the bark of pine trees. We can't find any. A very hairy caterpillar eats on a bush of the open savannah. The alligators cavort in streams, rivers and in the lake. Small lizards bask along the paths. They disappear at a tremendous speed as soon as you approach them. Ah – the birds of prey circle in the sky above the forest and the waters. Among
The savannah is kept open by bush fires. It has many flowers when it is not too dry. Lichen that looks like blood stains grows on the trees.”
