Head out to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary for Immersion into the Real Native Florida

I’ve visited the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary numerous times, but each time I go, I see new things in our natural environment that make my heart sing. It could be something as small as an uncommon butterfly, a blooming flower, a stunning black and white Downy woodpecker or a 12-foot alligator sunning on a small hillock in a mostly secluded thicket. Definitely not something you’d see in your daily life.

There’s so much more to see and appreciate, as you’ll see in my photos. The best part is sharing the swamp with folks that aren’t from around here. Their eyes are open wide with the spectacular views that change even as you go around a corner on the boardwalk. Our long-time friend from Utah sees mountains, snow and cold temperatures, especially this time of the year. When he comes to Naples, Corkscrew Swamp is first on his list. Between the two of us, we probably took a “gazillion” photos.

Take Immokalee Road east and about 30-40 minutes later, you will see a sign for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary so turn left off Immokalee Road onto Corkscrew Road. You’ll pass some interesting homes, and an organic garden as you drive. One of the homes we passed had numerous turkeys and six small deer in the yard, which was surprising, and a bonus as we headed toward more wildlife and wilderness beauty. There is also a nursery down this road if you’re looking for plants.

There’s a recent change for entrance to the boardwalk and swamp. You must buy your tickets online ahead of your arrival or scan the code when you get to the entrance. It’s relatively easy to get through this process, thanks to the patience and kindness of the staff. Timed tickets are available but check with the office for details. And then, after maybe a visit through the gift shop, the gardens or the water-purifying systems or to the restrooms before you enter the swamp, you stroll at your own pace on the Brazilian wood boardwalk that requires no care or maintenance. 

Why isn’t there any boardwalk maintenance, you might ask? The 2.25-mile boardwalk was originally constructed in 1956 and was mostly rebuilt in 1996 with Ipe lumber, a South American sustainable lumber known for its resistance to fire and weather. The boardwalk has experienced many storms, hurricanes and fallen trees, especially in 2017 when Hurricane Irma hit the area. The original lumber has been replaced with a common hardwood that grows in the United States called Black Locust with similar attributes to the Ipe lumber. The key attribute is that the lumber used doesn’t require the amount of maintenance that other lumber does.

As you stroll the boardwalk, you’ll be caressed by the changing breezes, views, wildlife and vistas that will amaze you. The pinewoods, prairie and marshes are so varied in their characteristics and the stature of the trees are impressive, to say the least. You’ll experience the oldest growth of Bald Cypress trees in North America – really! These trees are SO HUGE that you’ll strain your neck by gazing from the ground-level trunk to the tree’s pinnacle. Relatives of the California Redwood trees, the Bald Cypress trees grow to heights of over 130 feet and can have a girth of 25 feet. The height will astonish you as there are no trees at that height anywhere else in Naples, or probably in Florida. That’s what makes the experience so unique.

There are so many unique specimens, it’s hard to refine the list to a few to write about. A “growth” that is particularly interesting this time of year is the Strangler Fig. Looking closely at the unusual roots, they seemingly start on the highest levels of a host tree and travel down the trunk. You may wonder if your observation skills are intact. Although it’s deceptive in its growth pattern, you might observe that the origin of the “vine” is up the tree, rather than appearing to root from the ground. What? Why is that?

It was explained to me that birds eat the figs of the Strangler Fig and the seeds, ah-hem, are defecated in the tops of trees, taking root in the nooks and crannies of the tree. When starting their growth, the roots extend farther down the tree, much in an intentional/unintentional strangle attempt around the tree trunk from top to bottom. The vine continues to spread out and down the trunk slowly to reach the earth with determination for survival. I’ve included several photos in this article to show you this phenomenon.

But there’s so much more in the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to experience! Racoons, birds of many types, deer, raptors, otters, gators, a plethora of plants that are native to swamp-like terrain, although this time of year, there are not many that are flowering. Picturing the swamp in bloom is a miracle after the Florida “winter,” which in most parts of the U.S. is much more challenging and severe than Florida, especially this year. By the way, there are no mosquitos at CSS, I’ll let you research to find out why, it’s fascinating, especially with our preconceived ideas about swamps!

I don’t want to neglect the gift shop where there are notecards with beautiful photos of the swamp, all kinds of jewelry including those made of butterfly wings (with no harm to butterflies), clothing, hats and much more. Your purchase helps fund the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s continued improvements.