Thursday, April 5, 2012

Swamp Romp.....

It’s Spring Break here in Georgia. We spent the last few days exploring and camping in the amazing Okefenokee Swamp with our more adventurous camping buddies. The swamp is one of North America’s most unspoiled, fascinating and valuable natural areas. It is the largest, intact, un-fragmented, freshwater and black water wilderness in North America. The swamp covers roughly 700 square miles and is located in the southeastern corner of Georgia. Wildlife flourishes here; more than 400 species of vertebrates, including more than 200 varieties of birds and more than 60 kinds of reptiles, are known to inhabit the swamp.

Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia

The Okefenokee is crisscrossed by over 120 miles of water trails. It is a major destination for wetlands nature lovers, paddlers and boaters. We chartered a boat for an incredible night tour. Without any light pollution, the Okefenokee Swamp is one of the best places in the Southeast to view the moon, stars and planets. The night was so clear; we saw Venus vividly shining down on us and thousands of twinkling stars.

Tree Frog in the Okefenokee Swamp.

At night, alligator’s eyes shine bright red; it’s spooky to see hundreds of red eyes watching you. Park Rangers estimate that 12,000 alligators live within the refuge. We listened to gators bellowing and a chorus of singing frogs and toads. I loved seeing owls and bats silently gliding overhead.

Night in the Okefenokee Swamp
The only advice I can give about camping in the swamp is this: you can never have enough bug spray!
But don't let that keep you from visiting this magical place.

Happy Camping, Cheers!
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4 comments:

  1. These photos are fantastic! Did you take them? Looks like a really fun and educational camping trip.

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  2. I live to the west between Valdosta and Thomasville...my best advice is to get a Thermacell to keep the bugs away. We enjoy seeing the moona nd stars without all the light interference that the city has, but I could live without the alligators in the ponds!

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  3. It looks like an amazing place, and your pictures are fantastic.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  4. I think the same goes for Minnesota, where the mosquitoes are as big as that owl you shared.

    I admire your spirit of adventure!

    I love the sound of singing frogs.

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