UNF PRESERVE

Today I walked the Goldenrod (2.8 mi) and Blueberry (1.5mi) trails in the Robert W. Loftin Nature Trails within the Sawmill Slough Preserve. The preserve includes wetland and some drier habitats like longleaf pine- Turkey Oak woodlands at the sand ridge which were once ancient sand dunes whereas the wetlands just below was an ancient backwater lagoon.

Cypress Swamp

What was once an ancient backwater lagoon is now a cypress swamp. This photo is looking back to the ancient line of dunes, or the sand ridge.

Loblolly Bay

Bald Cypress

Barred Owl

Vernal Creek

Top of the Sand Ridge

Looking down the path towards the ancient lagoon; there was a noticable change in temparature from the sandridge or ancient sand dunes to the bottom of the cypress swamp.

Gopher Tortoise

Turkey oaks on the top of the Sand Ridge