Florida's Ten Thousand Islands

How many islands are there in south Florida?  Guess no one really knows but there is an area called the Ten Thousand Islands and with the frequent creation of new mangrove islands this may not be too far off base. 

The watery expanses of the
Ten Thousand Islands

 The National Park Service describes them with the following...
The Ten Thousand Islands are a labyrinth of water and mangroves. The islands harbor an abundance of life, and the shallows serve as nursery grounds for countless marine species. Boaters should be mindful of the depth of the water, as shallows are common. Finding your way through this area of the park can be difficult, and it is strongly recommended that visitors reference NOAA Charts #11430 and 11432 to assist them.

Mangrove Islands

New islands spring from these seedlings

 Now, officially it is the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge comprising 35,000 acres and protecting wildlife and vegetation.  It is the largest forest of mangroves in North America and best viewed by boat.  Actually it may be the only way to view the area.  We have canoe camped in the area on several occasions during the winter months when the bugs are at a minimum.  

Moon over the Ten Thousand Islands

The best boating access is from Goodland or Port-of-the-Isles where you launch almost immediately into the watery forests.  

Various wading birds
catching dinner in the shallow canals
and among the mangrove roots

Be certain to take the short 1.1 mile hike into the area from the Tamiami Trail (Hwy 41), not far from Collier-Seminole State Park.  Not far down the path you will find a 2-story observation tower that is perfect for fantastic views of the area and wading birds.

Marsh rabbit
along the trail

Here you have the opportunity to walk a shell packed path through the watery world and observe wading birds, rabbits, and snakes.  Peering into the shallow water you will find small fish among the many mangrove roots.  

Morning Flowers
greet you along the path

Delicate spring blossoms

The short trail ends at a hardwood hammock that serves the various park agencies for data collection, observation, storage, and a plethora of other functions. 

Pines now grow on a hammock
that serves scientific and nature interests

This area is well worth a trip to observe the birds anytime of the day.  You will find wading birds and ducks much of the day where they fish the rich waters amid the mangrove roots and shallow brackish waters. 

 

An egret feeding mid-morning

But the best times are early morning the flocks take to wing and many depart for the day and late evening when they return to the rookery for a safe night's sleep.

A flock of Ibis returning to roost
Sunset at the Tamiami Trail walk