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 Wildflowers are in their glory now.
Everywhere - fields, forest, roadsides, borrow pits and wetlands are algow with the colors of spring. Wild orchids, the Rose Pogania and Grass Pink are rising out of the wet
roadsides with their beautiful pink flowers. Slow down (but watch traffic) or even better, pull off the road; take a short stroll and enjoy nature's
showy organisms. Along the road leading into the Okefenokee Swamp Park, the carnivorous plants are busy capturing a meal (bugs) while showing off their upside down flowers.
The
Parrot Pitcher has an unmistakable deep red flower while the Hooded Pitcher exhibits its golden yellow flowers. Please don't pick these
since they are both very rare and thus intensely protected. All carnivorous plants are very "picky, picky, picky" and are extremely difficult
to propagate at home, so just leave them out where they are. They will find their specific habitat needs. The various kinds of Sundews are also blooming
now. Two species are fairly common along the wetter parts of the Park's road. The smaller of the two is the quarter sized Round leaved sundew. You may have to bend or stoop over to
find the tiny, red, sticky traps, but pull back the overlying grasses for a good look. Laying flat on sandy soil, it produces several sets of new
leaves each year - just growing right over the previously produced leaves. Catching mites, gnats, small files and bugs, the sundew gleans the
nitrogen from the protein of its prey. The larger sundew, the Drosera Intermedia, may stand two to five inches high and like its smaller cousin, glistens in the bright sunlight which it depends on greatly. This type can be found near the edge of
standing water, and is capable of capturing damsel and dragon flies - rather large prey. The Spring Helium greets you as you approach
the park gate and is found in the wetter roadside depressions. It can stand eighteen to twenty-four inches tall and have golden yellow flowers that
can be one to one and a half inches in diameter. Watch as spring changes to summer - Mother Nature also changes her decorations. The wildflowers will be blooming all thru summer and
into late fall. Watch for the changing scenes! |
Now is a great time to bring the whole family out to "Explore
Georgia's Natural Wonder". Our Park offers an educational adventure of a lifetime. Our hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 7 days per week. Our first Boat tour
starts at 9:30 am and the alligators have been very active in the mornings. Don't miss our "Eye on Nature" Programs. These shows are fun and informative for the
young and the young at heart. Make plans to spend about five (5) hours for your adventure. Don't forget to check out our discount coupon page before you depart for the
land of the trembling earth.
A featured animal at the Park is the American Black Bear. The park's
black bear residents consist of two females and two males: Georgia, Zat, and Nutt. In the Okefenokee we estimate approximately 200 bears. To give an estimated population
in the world is extremely difficult. Because of inadequate habitats, we are finding bears to be more migratory in search of food and den areas.
charades acting out animals! To give hints you can tell them out loud what your character eats. When they have guessed, ask where they fit in the food chain. (Carnivore, herbivore or
omnivore_ Keep in mind this is a fun game and you can learn together!