Stephen Foster State Park

Today a group of volunteers went on a fun trip around to the west side of Okefenokee NWR and the Stephen Foster State Park. We took a van which held all 9 of us and headed out at about 8:00 AM, with cameras, lunches, and a case of water. The trip around the southern edge of the swamp took a little over an hour, and because I was not driving nor was I counting the miles, I am guessing it was about 50 miles.

Here is our little group…………obviously without the photographer, Me!!!

In back: Norman, Carol, Linda, Bill, and Bill

In Front: Colleen, Katie, and IdaMae

We toured the small museum there and then took a boat ride out into the swamp. Actually, it did not start out too well, as when we arrived the only boat available to us would only hold 4 people plus the operator, so we divided the group and off they went……..only to return about a half hour later…..poling and paddling!!!! It seems the engine did not want to go out in the swamp today!!!

But another boat was made available, big enough for all of the group, so off we went……again. The weather was fabulous and the sun was shining brightly, however because the water level in the swamp is so low we could only go just so far then had to turn around and come back after about an hour. It was a great day and here a few of the pictures from our trip……..

   

  

 

 

      On our way out we spotted this red-shoulder hawk, notice he is not parking on the grass!!

  

       

Direction signs out in the swamp……..

 

                                 including how to get home again!

      

   

                                Katie                                                Colleen

 

 Do you suppose this is called  a “gaggle of gators”?

 

I love the textures……………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the tannic brown water in the swamp flowing over white sand……….beautiful!!!

The water in the swamp is “tea” colored due to the decomposing vegetation.

Weather here is finally getting a little warmer at least during the day which is a really good thing. So this is the first of our adventures in Okefenokee NWR, so stay tuned for the next adventure!!

Just Us Kids………playing with the gators in the swamp!