Alachua County Florida: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Yes, this was still December.  As mentioned in the last posting, Alachua County has a plethora of parks and natural areas.  It is a blessed county!  And it takes some time to explore the area which is nearly 1000 square miles.  

Back country

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park lies in the southern part of Alachua County.  As you head south out of Gainesville on Hwy 301 you drop off into the prairie where you may see ponies, cows, buffalo, Florida sandhill cranes, osprey, eagles, fox, deer, turkey, and other wildlife.  

Turkeys in the Palmetto

The ponies, or wild horses, are claimed to be descendants of the Spanish horses which my family called Marsh Tackies but most call Cracker Horses these days.  Unfortunately, we did not see ponies or buffalo on this trip but then we spent more time in the hammocks and backwoods which tend to be higher ground and more traveled by hikers and bicyclists.

Trail through the back woods

While at the park we spoke with a fellow park system volunteer with an interesting life.  He volunteers full-time between area parks (easy in Alachua County) and home schools his children in addition to completing his volunteer tasks.  The family rotates through parks near Gainesville so the mother can work at a local hospital.  Yes they do have a house in the area but the children prefer the park life style.  Guess we are not alone.

Alas I reduced these photos too much and needed to increase the size, thus the grain.