One for the Birds

Corkscrew Sanctuary was my favorite field trip by a land slide. Not only did I learn a great magnitude of information about the area and wildlife but I was able to see deer, owls, wood storks, cardinals, alligators, etc. first hand which will be remnant in the hierarchy of my memory for decades to come. Red Lichen sprinkled the trees and shrubs and the soft, existential song of the local birds echoed throughout the canopy. When walking from the grasslands to the tree dome I briefly and suddenly had an unusually visceral, and metaphoric 'vibe' if you will, as if I had entered a little part of heaven.

The Sanctuary was founded in 1954 and is approximately a vast 14,000 acres. It contains the most capacious virgin Bald Cypress forest in North America. It is an attraction spot for tourists, photographers, and bird watchers. The boardwalk was formed in the wake of a series of controlled burns to form one of the five habitats that are located in the sanctuary, and it is frequently altered to make room for the incoming and presently growing cypress trees. In the near future I plan on visiting the Sanctuary again but this time I will bring my camera and capture the relentless magic of nature.

A meaningful quote:

We believe in the wisdom of nature's design. We know that soil, water, plants, and wild creatures depend upon each other and are vital to human life. We recognize that each living thing links to many others in the chain of nature. We believe that persistent research into the intricate patterns of outdoor life will help to assure the wise use of earth's abundance. So we will be vigilant to protect wilderness areas, refuges, and parks and to encourage good use of nature's storehouse of resources. -statement of Audubon philosophy from "Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a Self-guided Tour of the Boardwalk," 1960.

Word Count: 314