Time for another trip! Need Okee guide.

[thezyo]

A couple years ago (5 years already!) I took a trip around Northern California for Darlingtonia, North Florida and Southern Alabama for Sarracenia and Drosera, and Southern North Carolina for Dionaea. It was great!! Thanks to everyone who helped organize

This year, mid-July, I'm thinking of hitting NC again because water levels seem much higher (so better!) so maybe I'll see more than 5 vfts, but also I've been wanting to see the S.minor and the floating S.psittacina in the Okee. Does anyone know any good leads on how to find sites or a local guide to go hang out in the swamp a few days to photograph the plants in the Okefenokee?

My main goals are to enjoy the scenery, and take photos to document other endemic flora and fauna to understand the local ecosystem a little better. I'm not an ecologist/botanist/biologist by trade, but I do think there's a need to document (using photography) the in-situ conditions for the plants.

Thanks!!

[snakedr]

Hi thezyo,

Best place for the floating plants are:

1) from land go to the boardwalk at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge east entrance just south of Folkston on Hwy 121.

2) from the water (you must have a canoe or kayak) launch at Kingfisher Landing:

Kingfisher Landing is located about 13 miles north of Folkston, on US Route 1/GA Hwy 121. It features a boat ramp, information kiosk, and restroom facilities for day-use and overnight visitors. Access to the Red and Green trails. Visitors must sign in and out of the landing, for their own protection. Entrance fees are required at Kingfisher Landing. Kingfisher Landing, 13 miles north of downtown Folkston. This entrance offers a boat ramp

The green trail is one of the best. here you can see S flava (rare), S xharperi, S psittacina var okefenokeensis, and S xformosa, and S minor var okefenokeensis.


If you get on the water, you need to start very early to see the good plants. For best results you would consider overnight camping on the platforms, but you are choosing one of the most difficult times to be in the swamp - very hot, and humid, and biting insects can be devastating. The platforms must be reserved in advance and may be full several months in advance.

Hope this helps!

[thezyo]

I'm back from my trip, and made a report here: www.terraforums.com/forums/general-discussions/141302-field-trip-south.html