There is hardwood forest in Florida

Not much any more but more than I anticipated. I think marsh and beach when I think Florida but along the higher limestone outcroppings of the center spine we have found a real forest-feeling forest in the San Felasco Hammock Preserve.  The heavy scent of fallen oak leaves fills the air.  Leaves crunch under our feet.  The sound of birds chattering in the canopy floats down and dozens of cardinals dart around us.  We spot the familiar white flag of white tailed deer reacting to our intrusion.  Hawks circle and call above.  A rather large, black looking snake slices across the trail just ahead of us.  Unique to this sandy floored forest, we come across gopher tortoise borrows.  They have actually been dutifully marked off with bright orange tape by the power line workers who have been directed to protect this endangered species.  Another rare find, swallow tailed kites, perched.  They occupy only a few areas in the US and are nearly always seen on the wing when the eye is drawn to their amazing acrobatic flight.  We enjoyed the walk but it reinforced our thinking that this is not the place to visit in the summer.  It reached 85F this fine Spring day with what is only modest humidity for here and I thought I was going to melt.

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