Colt Creek State Park
(Click images to enlarge, click again to zoom.)
Standing still, eyes closed, head tilted one way then another. I hear the distant call of a Red-shouldered Hawk, the guttural “caw-caw-cawwww” of American Crows, trumpeting Sandhill Cranes, a raucous Blue Jay, the hammering of a woodpecker on a dry limb. Gini’s superior hearing adds a calling White-eyed Vireo, the clear whistle of a Tufted Titmouse, a Carolina Wren, an upset squirrel and the distinct bass notes of a Barred Owl.
What we did not hear was significant. Try as we might, we could not detect any sound of the presence of humans. No traffic noise, no music, no sirens, no voices.
All of the above summarizes why we come here. Colt Creek State Park. We have mentioned it often on this blog because it is a place we frequently visit to explore and relax. The fact that it is less than 30 minutes from the house doesn’t hurt.
The park consists of over 5,000 acres adjacent to Florida’s vast Green Swamp. Nearly 15 miles of trails offer something for hikers of every skill level. Efficient management keeps the park in excellent condition and rangers, like our favorite, Sunny, are knowledgeable, friendly and quick to offer suggestions on where to find what we came to see. (It helps that Ranger Clark is an outstanding nature photographer and knows where the good stuff is hiding – and shares!)
Longleaf pine forest, stands of mixed hardwood trees, swamp, cypress domes, open fields, lakes, creeks – did I mention is was quiet here? Mix in our top three favorite subjects: birds, blooms and bugs, and is it any wonder we love this place? Each season offers something special.
A typical winter day a couple of weeks ago had us marveling at the fact there were flowers blooming as well as insects buzzing around said flowers. Resident birds were trying to play nice with dozens of cousins visiting from more northern climes. It was apparently “get in free day” for Red-shouldered Hawks. Gopher Tortoises raced across the roads, White-tailed Deer frolicked at the edge of the woods, River Otters splashed in the creek.
Yeah. We really like it here.
Just beyond the park entrance, we almost always see a Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a pine tree limb. Must be the official greeter.
Several spots still had blooming Rice Button Aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum), although some had already gone to seed.
The park has wet places all year around so it was not difficult to find fungus among us.
Migratory Savannah Sparrows find the seed variety at Colt Creek to be spectacular.
A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks appreciate the park staff planting long-leaf pines not too long ago which have now reached the perfect height for a perfect perch.
Look closely in the brushy understory and you might discover the pretty fruit of Shortleaf Wild Coffee (Psychotria tenuifolia). Don’t get too excited about trying a cuppa, though. It isn’t related to the incredibly aromatic delicious and addictive stuff which I am sipping as I type.
Hover flies. Flower flies. Syrphid flies. There are over 6,000 species in the Syrphidae family worldwide and over 800 in North America. There are some really interesting-looking specimens but, for me, identifying specific species is futile. So, I just look at them. You can, too.
(The second one is about half the size of the first. Both are on a Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia).)
Threatened and on the run! Okay, the first part is true. Florida lists the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) as a threatened species. It is the only tortoise in North America found east of the Mississippi River. That second part – although the tortoise is deceptively quick at times, “running” is not really part of their vocabulary. Nor mine.
Fairly common in this area, a Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) seeks a bit of nectar from a late-blooming Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia).
We like saying the name as much as we like looking at the flower. Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa). Also called Powderpuff, this beauty is much better behaved than its relative, Sensitive Briar (Mimosa quadrivalvis), which has stems covered in nasty thorns.
One more Red-shouldered Hawk. This one enjoying the recently baled hay.
Obligatory image of an American Alligator. (All blogs in Florida are require by State Law to include at least one ‘gator photo.)
Not content to provide a bright Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) for you to enjoy, we included one resting on an Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella). You’re welcome.
Speaking of bright. The incredible red flowers of the Coralbean (Erythrina herbaria) may be gone, but the shiny seeds resting within their dark pods are like little beacons of light on a December day.
A Tree Swallow cruises Mac Lake among the warm colors of the reflected shoreline.
We’ve been fortunate lately to catch a few of the small butterflies known as “Blues” (Family: Lycaeninae) displaying their upper wing coloration. Here is a Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) showing its under wing (which we most often see) and its beautiful blue upper wing.
The highlight of today’s visit was the enounter of three River Otters (Lontra canadensis). My understanding is winter is typically mating season for Florida otters. Also, new otters may remain with their mother for over a year. So, I don’t know what these three were: Mom and two kids, Mom and Dad and kid, three males, three females, rogue gang. Whatever their common bond was, we really enjoyed watching them hunt, swim, sun and gawk at us gawking at them.
We hope you have a spot similar to Colt Creek State Park near you. A place where you can find solace from our modern lifestyles and accompanying noise. Somewhere to relax and become part of your natural surroundings. If you can’t find such an oasis, you can visit ours any time.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Additional Information
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/colt-creek-state-park
Our Natural Places 
Thank you for sharing, Wally. I’ve never been to Florida, but Colt Creek State Park really sounds like a magical place. Finding those places where there are no human sounds, whether it is human voices or motorized vehicles are becoming so rare.
I’ve following along and witnessing the different fauna and flora. A lot of species we don’t have up here in Canada. The seeds of the coralbean are so vivid red. So fascinating about the Florida blog law about posting a gator photo.
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Hi Carl!
That park is so close to the house that we run away quite often to enjoy the peace and quiet and natural setting.
Each area of our planet is so unique and the internet has offered an incredible tool for us all to share what’s special about our own little spot.
I assure you, my reference to the ‘gator law was absolutely “tongue in cheek”! (Mine, not the ‘gator’s.)
We sure appreciate your visit and hope to see you again soon. I peeked at your blog just now but was frightened by the sight of people running – on purpose. I’ll give it a closer look tomorrow. 🙂
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Thank you for clarifying about the gator law, Wally. I wasn’t quite sure. We really do have an amazing planet. I’m glad you have this park close to you.
Thank you for your kind words. Yeah, there is people running on purpose on my blog. However, it gave me great joy that you run yourself. when you mentioned in the 1st line of your comment, “We run away quite often to enjoy the peace and quiet and natural setting”. 😂There is nothing that beats running un nature. 🏃♀️🏃😀
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Hah! You caught me! And now I can tell my kids and grandkids “See, running is good for you. Even I do it.”
Enjoy our new week.
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How wonderful to see the River Otters! It does my heart good to see places like this that don’t have the heavy footprint of Homo sapiens. Getting harder and harder to find places to escape the sound of humans and just enjoy the solitude. To the untrained eye (mine), that Gopher Tortoise could pass for a Desert Tortoise!
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It really is great to have an oasis nearby for escaping once in awhile.
Those tortoises do look a lot alike!
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It’s at the TOP of our list of places we want to visit here in Florida! I hope we can spend a few days there some time. I love the sweet River Otters. They have so much character and are very fun to watch. They seem a bit comical even! Love seeing your photos this week. I’ll be out at a preserve tomorrow…I can’t wait! Happy weekend!
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It’s a smallish but very nicely maintained park. Nice diversity of floria and fauna, especially if you get out on the trails a bit.
Had a great morning today among warblers, turtles and raptors. Warm!
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Sounds like you found nearly nirvana: no human sounds to disrupt the wildlife.
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Pretty nice experience.
We love the sound of silence.
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To see river otters in the wild is one of my dreams. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos of this memorable encounter.
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Happy to oblige, Tanja.
We’ll try to keep up with them as the year progresses.
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River otter pups would be an absolute delight to see and document!
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No humans, just nature and wildlife, that’s the way to go! How do you not go here everyday, Wally?! 🙂 Such fabulous images and sightings. Those red berries are amazing in color. The otters are quite adorable, your photos are lovely of them!
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If we went there every day how could we explore all the other natural areas of the planet?
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That is true…..
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So many great shots but my favorites are the otters!
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They are definitely crowd-pleasers!
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What a splendid variety. The last photo of the river otter is funny and appealing. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with that one?
The colorful screening of the gator with what I’m guessing were grasses is unusual and attractive. The last one I saw had that same lighter, almost orange-ish coloring around its eye and on its head. I’d forgotten it until I saw this one. Do they develop different coloring in mating season? Or is it just natural variation? I always think of them as gray or black; the color seems unusual.
I wonder if your swallow was singing “Somewhere, over Mac’s rainbow”?
I’d never heard of your Shortleaf Wild Coffee. I found it’s endemic to Florida: particularly southern Florida. When I saw it also is native to the Caribbean and South America, and looked at the map, I couldn’t help wondering if ocean currents had brought the plant’s seeds northward.
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The otters are so adorable looking it’s easy to forget they are ferocious animals. Not much tangles with them and the ones which do are frequently sorry they tried.
A mature alligator is basically dark gray above and lighter below. Immature individuals have orange striping and some lighter coloration which fades and darkens as they age.
I believe there are three species of Psychotria which are native to Florida. I’ve not found any reference to how the plants arrived upon the peninsula but your theory sounds good to me.
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The Coralbean is a funny discovery for me.
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When they bloom in spring, we’ll post some pictures. Beautiful red flowers to match those red seeds.
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There’s so much to enjoy in this post, Wally, but the real stars for me were the Otters. The colour of the seeds of that Coralbean is amazing! I just wish we did have a spot similar to Colt Creek near to us – I’d find it hard to keep away.
My very best wishes to you and Gini – – – Richard
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Thank you, Richard.
Those otters put a nice exclamation point on an already lovely day.
Gini and I hope you and Lindsay are faring well as we glide through another week.
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In our small overpopulated Country escaping noise is difficult, some you just get used to others like the screaming military jets not so.
Loving the butterflies.
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Focusing on your lovely birds and butterflies may help to at least “mentally” shut out some of that noise, Brian.
We’re loving our winter bugs, too!
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I guess Microsoft need not apply at Mac Lake. Speaking of which, the picture of the swallow gliding over it with all those muted reflections is pretty.
The word otter is related to the word water. Makes sense semantically.
An Indian blanket in January: you’ve outdone Texas.
Hooray for syrphid flies. We photographers hover over them waiting for them to settle, which some take a disconcertingly long time to do.
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Thank you for the kind and appreciative words, Steve.
I like the swallow image for the reason you stated. We were a bit surprised by the butterfly AND that Indian Blanket.
Patience is definitely needed if one hopes to photograph the hovering syrphids. Now, if they would just wear nametags …
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Ohh, those otters! What a great find! I saw them one time out in Anahuac NWR about 5 years ago, but haven’t seen any since. I hope yours are members of a large happy extended family!
I know it’s got human-generated stuff in it, but I like that Red-shouldered Hawk on the hay bale very, very much. A lovely bucolic scene all soft and misty, with a perfectly perched hunter – surprise!
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Thank you Sam.
It was a good day, indeed. The otters certainly were a pleasant surprise.
I like that hawk on the hay, too. And, there was more than a bit fo that misty stuff early in the day!
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