Reflection on Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Trip

Last week we visited the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.  We saw a wide variety of ecosystems, both familiar and foreign to me, featuring more plant species than I could count.  I was fascinated by how much the scenery could change within such a (relatively) small distance - certainly far more variation than you see along the roadside or in the typical yard!  While we tried to proceed as quietly as possible most of the time, we did not get to observe a great deal of wildlife.  There was, however, an owl perched atop a cypress tree, much to the chagrin of other nearby birds who chirped loudly until it eventually flew away (unfortunately I did not get a picture due to this).  I also saw a turtle and several small fish in the waters, along with thick layers of algae, which in some areas completely blocked out the water’s surface.  The naturalists mentioned epiphytes, non-parasitic plants which grow on other ones, such as the ghost orchid, one of which is located within here somewhere.  We didn’t get a chance to see it though - maybe next time!  Below are a few photos from the trip; the first one is accompanied by a poem.

The marsh here serves as an ecotone

a gradual, upward ramp

from cypress sloughs

to pine flatwoods

yet nature’s stamp:

the greens, the trees

pervade it all.

The dying plants - they burst aflame

so their essence may flow

to whence it came,

thus new life grows.

This freshwater swamp invites the flood

to flow in, atop the mud

and blend with the rest.

But the plants’ requests

ensure no flood contests

the natural order.

I liked the way the sunlight illuminated the spider web in this shot.  I don’t know what’s in it though!

iNaturalist suggests this may be either a red or black mangrove, but I’m not 100% sure.

I couldn’t match this up with an observation on iNaturalist.

This squirrel was eating bird feed for a good 10+ minutes while we were waiting for the other group to get back! Not sure how it got in though...

My Ecological Footprint

Today I calculated my ecological footprint using the Global Footprint Networkˈs online footprint calculator.  Here are the results:

As seen above, the largest contribution to my ecological footprint comes from my diet.  Thus, I will endeavor to reduce this contribution throughout the following week (and ideally beyond that as well) by lowering the amount of meat in my diet (primarily through eating more balanced meals).

Reflection on Mound House Field Trip

Last week, we went on a tour of the Florida Mound House, located near Fort Myers Beach.  This was one of many sites in Southwest Florida inhabited by the Calusa Indians roughly two thousand years ago.  The Calusa Indians were coastal people who survived by fishing and foraging; they constructed various tools, such as the atlatl, used to launch spears, to aid them in hunting.  The Mound House lies atop a mound of shells which the Calusa Indians constructed over time; we saw a glimpse of the lower part of the mound in an underground room, and learned how they amassed shells in layers, with the older layers generally being lower in the mound, and newer layers being higher.  From what I saw, sustainability was inherently a part of the Calusa Indians' lifestyle; they needed the environment and its resources to support their way of life, so it was important for them to take care of the land as they did.

The strangler fig tree atop the mound.

Mangroves in the surrounding water.

At the top of the mound, there is a house which has seen various owners and developments over the years.  These include the original owner, Robert Gilbert, who built the house; the Case family, for postal service by boat; the James family, who utilized it for scientific research during World War II; and the Long family, who excavated part of the mound to examine its underlying structure.  It is interesting to see the wide variety of people who lived in this house, for purposes that differed in many regards but still relied on the environment.  This, I feel, emphasizes the importance of sustainability: if nature can facilitate such a wide range of endeavors, then surely we have an interest in preserving our environment.

A fireplace inside the Mound House.

I was quite intrigued by the depth of history and culture surrounding this place.  Having a greater awareness of these aspects of the Mound House, I feel, enhances my sense of place of Southwest Florida.  What surprises me most about this place is the fact that it is in such pristine condition, despite how old it is.  It pleases me to know that the general community values this site and makes efforts to conserve it!  (One particular example I saw to support this notion was the "do not touch" signs inside the house.)

References

Chestnut, C. (2015, November 15). Mound House renovated, ready to share stories. Retrieved from https://www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2015/11/15/mound-house-renovations-renovated-fort-myers-estero-island-cathy-chestnut-calusa/75828292/

EIHS. (n.d.). Calusa & Mound House - Estero Island Historic Society. Retrieved from http://www.esteroislandhistoricsociety.org/24.html