Potts Preserve - hidden treasure

Pott's Preserve is owned and managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Located in eastern Citrus County on the Withlacoochee River it is tucked away, remote to most, but not too far from home.  If you contatct SWFWMD you can drive in or camp there otherwise it's a hke in from the front gate.   Here are some pics from my recent hike .

clik on the pics to enlarge

I don't mind a short walk because of the big oaks along the entrance road

 

there are more big oaks when you get to the camping area

 

Just past the yellow tent is an ancient mound overlooking the river

 

 directly across river from the mound is the mouth of Gum Slough

(which is a whole 'nother jewell in itself)

don't get lost in there - it's tricky

 Classic Withlacoochee River - it means little-big water

because when it spills its banks it covers a wide area 

 

I saw a big-un  . . . . on the other side of the river

 

 a big male osprey in the top of a big cypress

 

tillandsia bartramii starting to bloom everywhere

the tip of the red stalk will bloom bright purple. 

It's a common plant for us in central FL but it's not widely found 

Pott's  is a good place to sit and hang out with friends.  I recommend it as a group camp for my friends that like to get together in a natural setting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Creek - Forested wetlands in the winter light

As with most blogs there is a period of attrition following the normal initial excitement and newness. Such is he same with me and I have not created a new post this year,  So to make things easier I am going to depart from my attempts to blog about the facinating facets of the world we live in.   Now I am going to post  photos of my travels.   It will be much easier on me and will hopefully increse the frequency of new posts.. 

For example:  The other day I explored  Spring Creek in Levy County.

to record it for our memory

 

Small, isolated and remote but not too far from home.

Places that not many know about

There's a wild hog in Guf Hammock, I wouldn't wish on any man -  Will McLean 

these are the places I like to explore

Making a mental note to return when the iris are blooming to capture the spring season

but the winter holds a special light and colors of its own