A Separate Peace: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Swamp Grounds)

This was a large nature sight with plenty to explore! The first thing are group noticed was the hard-to-miss Lubber Grasshoppers with their bright orange/red/yellow markings and large size. We encountered many of these Lubbers along the nature trails and, although they were a marvel to looks at, a few of us were nervous that these critters would hop right onto us. There was so much to see during this trip. Our group saw various ferns and palms, along with butterflies and other insect life. It was an especially hot day that afternoon and the air was humid and filled with small flying insects that bothered us during our walk. I tried to keep my composure, but I couldn’t help but laugh at some of my fellow classmates who where swatting and jumping around as if these insects where about to kill them! Luckily our professor had insect repellant that kept some of the bugs from bothering us.

We got into the wild during this trip. Although timid at first to get into the wild (and not on a intended path like all our other field trips) we ventured into the forested grounds, being careful not to step on a fallen tree trunk and other obstacles. It was definitely thrilling to be out there and getting dirty. Nature is very “cookie cutter perfect” and what good is it to experience nature if we just look at it and not actually go into it to physically experience it. Our professor had the right idea about this and took it upon himself to set the example for us of getting right into the marsh of the Florida Everglades. Unfortunately the ground appeared dry but was not as all and our professor’s feet had sunken into the ground all the way up to his knee! Thankfully I was trailing right behind him and saw this happen to my professor right before I could make that step onto the soggy ground. I was able to help pull him out of the muck and back onto stable ground. I was the hero of the day! That didn’t stop my professor from exploring more though. We walked along the path that enters into the Everglades and observed more bird and plant species. The day was a long one, but an adventurous one for sure!

List of Flora Species:

Coco Plum

Cabbage Palm

Giant Leather Fern

Air plants (Bromelia)

Bald Cypress

Lychen

Old Man’s Beard (moss)

Spanish Moss

Cinnomen Fern

Wild Boston Fern

Strap Fern