Plants, reflections, plants, Big Cypress Swamp... Florida

Slowly moving through only 2 or 3' of water that was was filled with vegetation  tiny fish, and somewhere Alligators, I was lost in the wonder of everything around us. Tommy (guide) started by explaining the ecology of the swamp and pointing out the various species of plants and birds. I took over 200 photos and have divided them into plants, and landscape, birds and alligators.  I was in photographers heaven.
There are 5 habitats with in the Cypress National Preserve, the swamp with its over story of of Cypress Trees, and under story filled with swamp fern, spike rush and marsh flea bane, buttonwood, coco-plum, willow, wax myrtle and it is home to sixteen species of bromeliads . We ..

The bald cypress is a large cone-bearing tree with needle-like leaves that are flat, soft to the touch, and flexible. Unlike many trees, which would die if they were standing in water, the bald cypress thrives in water. The trunk appears smooth and gray and spreads widely at the bottom. Submerged roots spread around the tree and come up through the water in projections that look like someone's skinny knees. The wide base, roots and knees help the bald cypress survive periodic hurricane force winds, and the knees help provide oxygen to the roots.

Spanish Moss Fun facts: “ginned” in Florida in early 1900 s; bales exported for car seats and mattresses; broadest geographical range of any bromeliads  gray leaves may indicate moisture stress or other environmental factors; can withstand extreme temperature fluctuation and low rainfall

Giant Bromeliads- can live for 20 years until it produces its flower
spike - after seeds are released the plant dies. 

Giant Bromeliads and Cardinal Bromeliads

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The limestone is very porous and water drains easily through out the area.

We saw hundreds of bromeliads in the trees. Some were in
flower and their bright red-orange spikes dotted the branches of the
trees.  Cardinal Bromeliads Fun facts: leaves longer in shade, plant smaller and more colorful in open sun