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The posted speed limit on this particular road is 60 mph. Traveling at that speed is hazardous to one’s safety. Especially at this hour, just before sunrise. The road is 35 miles in length and connects two major U.S. highways, one of which is a short distance from Interstate 75, a main north-south route through the peninsula. Commercial trucks and commuters use this state road as a short-cut between the highways and they have little regard for a “posted speed limit”.

For us, the “short-cut” road cuts through the heart of the Green Swamp spanning a two-county area. That’s good news as it provides easy access to some of our favorite patches. In the dim light of pre-dawn, locating our unmarked forest road is a dicey proposition as a line of commuters happily excited to get to work on time and big trucks anxious to get their cargo to a destination are not very patient with a pokey little auto delaying their journey.

We turn onto the soft dirt logging path and the entire world seems to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

When beginning a morning of exploring Nature, we often wonder what the day will bring as we take in the scent of pine trees, enjoy the distant calls of familiar birds and scan the landscape for interesting sights. Today! Today we were immediately surrounded by birds singing from every branch seemingly at arm’s-length, dozens of cicadas sounding like old Model-T Ford engines trying to get started, Swamp Roses already opening their pink blooms for all to enjoy.

It will be a good day.

Florida has been experiencing its severest drought conditions in 15 years. Our forays within the Green Swamp this year have definitely confirmed areas where we normally see standing water are dry. We have been concerned how these conditions affect the flora and fauna.

Although we understand there must be a negative impact on the overall environment, we are also amazed at the apparent resilience of Nature. Flowers are in abundance, which, in turn, attracts plenty of pollinating insects. Birds are raising families and the checklist of our observations has not been much different than past years. Fauna seems to be very active as evidenced by our sightings of small mammals, alligators and lizards. Tracks in the sand confirm a variety of animals are present.

Nature flows with a cyclic rhythm that never wavers. We may call this “seasons“, but Nature cares not about our labels. Life progresses at its own pace. We are but passengers on a relatively short journey.

Humans have developed methods to keep track of time. (Who figured out we need such a process?) One dictionary definition of a calendar: “… a system for fixing the beginning, length, and divisions of the civil year and arranging days and longer divisions of time (such as weeks and months) in a definite order.”

That made my head hurt.

I could take an aspirin, or – recall a few things we saw in Nature, where no calendars are needed.

Couldn’t they find a better moniker than “Swamp” Rose (Rosa palustris)? No matter where we find them, a rose seems to brighten any corner of our world’s garden, even in a swamp. I reckon Juliet said it best: What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.

As soon as we turned off the paved highway, Nature sent a messenger to welcome us to the swamp. The White Ibis was likely leaving its nightly roost to find a good spot to forage for breakfast.

Plenty of pink to be seen this morning. Along with the roses, there was a plethora of Pale Meadowbeauty (Rhexia mariana).

Large Four-spotted Scoliid Wasp (Pygodasisquadrimaculata) is the largest wasp in our area. The adults are pollinators as they seek nectar. Eggs are laid underground inside beetle larvae, which helps reduce damage to flora from some larvae species. The big wasps are not aggressive, although I’ve never tried to get one to sting me.

Speaking of larvae. This Northern Parula warbler thinks they make a fine brunch.

Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea), has lovely red flowers but its common name is derived from the coral-colored seeds which will appear within long pods later in the year. Be careful if handling the seeds as they contain a toxin.

Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan) on Nuttall’s Thistle (Cirsium nuttallii). This is one of the small members of the grass-skipper family of butterflies and is common in moist habitats.

A feisty Carolina Wren demanded to know what we were doing in its neighborhood. It seems many small birds, especially wrens, have large attitudes.

With flowers that open fully after sunset, the Southern Beeblossom (Oenothera simulans) encourages nectar-seekers such as moths. The family name, Onagraceae, is “evening primrose”. This species was previously named Gaura angustifolia and is still known by some as Southern or Morning Gaura.

Bright red is pretty hard to conceal among the green and brown of the trees and gray of the Spanish Moss. That’s a good thing. Otherwise, we might miss a Northern Cardinal.

It may be one of the most common butterflies in the brushfoot family (Nymphalidae), but it’s always a pleasure to encounter a small bright gem fluttering among the blooms. The Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) is found throughout the U.S. except the west coast. The family name “brush-footed” is due to reduced-size forelegs which are covered in small hairs, like little “brushes”.

So small, it could easily be overlooked. Fortunately, we found a few lovely splashes of violet which turned out to be Florida Bellflower (Campanula floridana). It’s always a pleasure to find something so beautiful that occurs only within our Sunshine State.

Always busy, running down a tree trunk, squeaking like a rubber ducky. We think the Brown-headed Nuthatch is pretty special.

Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) on Nuttall’s Thistle (Cirsium nuttallii). This is one of four large dark swallowtails which can be found in Florida.

“I can’t find my blue jacket. Oh, the spider wore it.” (Feel free to groan. Gini certainly did.) Bluejacket (Tradescantia ohiensis) is also known as Ohio Spiderwort. Whatever you call it, please overlook my poor attempt at humor and enjoy the beauty of this outstandingly gorgeous flower.

American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) on Purple Thistle (Cirsium horridulum). Hopefully, some day I’ll get a decent photo of this Lovely Lady.

We heard Common Yellowthroats singing and calling all morning long. Finally, a male made an appearance long enough for a quick click.

Gini thinks the little Showy Milkwort (Asemeia violacea) resembles a cartoon elephant. It’s a good thing it isn’t larger or collectors would scoop them all up.

Another dark swallowtail, the Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) on Purple Thistle (Cirsium horridulum) is pretty common out here. Much to our joy.

We’re fortunate to have a climate that allows us to enjoy Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) blooms almost year ’round. Somehow, it seems even more beautiful in the depths of the swamp than in a suburban garden. Just me.

Despite far less rainfall than normal, Nature continues to thrive. If it had a schedule, it would have accomplished exactly what it needed to by this particular time. Oh, wait. It continues to do exactly that! (‘Scuse me whilst I discard my calendars.)

Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!