The Land of Trembling Earth

Posted in Georgia, National Wildlife Refuge, Nature, State Parks, WildlifeTagged , ,

Okefenokee – “the Land of Trembling Earth”

What better way to begin our winter southern adventure than a stop in one of our favorite state parks, Stephen C. Foster State Park in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Much of the swamp is covered with thick peat deposits. The early Native Americans named the area Okefenokee which means “land of trembling earth” because  they felt the movement of the peat beneath their feet as they walked.

There were deer in the campground every day. One day we took a walk on the boardwalk nature trail near the marina and watched an egret searching for food.

White Tailed Deer in the Okefenokee
Egret in the Okefenokee

The Okefenokee Swamp is one of North America’s most unspoiled natural wilderness areas. According to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge web page, “the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has 353,981 acres of National Wilderness Area within the refuge boundaries.

We always enjoy going out in a boat to explore the swamp. On our last visit we enjoyed our ranger guided boat tour so much we decided to go on another tour. While waiting for the tour to begin we wandered around the boat ramp and discovered Mama gator Sophie lounging by the ramp with some of her babies hanging out nearby.

Mama Sophie by the boat ramp with her babies nearby
Young alligators
Young alligators
Young alligator

As we rode through the man made canal into the swamp we spied more young gators on the bank enjoying the warm day.

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Young alligators on the bank

A large gator checked us out as we exited the canal into the swamp.

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Alligator in the Okefenokee

After a few days of cloudy skies and chilly days the sun was starting to warm things up. The warmer weather brought out plenty of  wildlife.

Okefenokee Swamp
Cormorant in the Okefenokee
Alligator in the Okefenokee
Alligators enjoying some warm weather
Turtle in the swamp
Hanging out in the Okefenokee

The water winds through ancient cypress trees and water lilies.

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Beautiful day in the Okefenokee
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Cypress Trees in the Okefenokee

 

 

33 thoughts on “The Land of Trembling Earth”

  1. Glad to hear you’re back on the road. Great way to start your trip. Love the Okefenokee landscape photo and as peaceful as it looks, I’m sure none of us would want to be swimming in the water and coming face to face with Pogo the alligator 😃

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It really is peaceful and true wilderness. And no, I would not like to fall in that water! I love your reference to Walt Kelly’s Pogo. Actually, It was Pogo Possum and Albert Alligator. There used to be a museum at the park with some of the cartoons but it closed a few years ago.

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  6. I didn’t think of Pogo and Albert, but I thought if Lewis Carroll’s poem about the crocodile:
    “How cheerfully he seems to grin, how neatly spread his claws and welcome little fishes in with gently smiling jaws!”

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  8. Even though Pogo has a cute name… he still is an alligator!

    I have never been here but let’s just say because of your gorgeous pictures… we are putting it on our list!

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    1. If you love wilderness and a place to get away from civilization, this is the place! If you aren’t crazy about going on a boat tour with a ranger, it’s a great place to paddle a canoe or kayak or even take out a small john boat.

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    1. Judy, I’m way behind on replying to comments! We were traveling without internet for a while. Lucky for us we were in a boat and those gators couldn’t get near us. Mostly they just ignored us.

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