Places Visited:

Florida: Lake Kissimmee State Park

Saturday, December 10 through Wednesday December 14: Lake Kissimmee State Park 15-miles east of Lake Wales-- $17 water & 30-amps with central dump station, paved interior roads with dirt sites N27° 56.924' W81° 21.018'

Oak Hammock and prairie in Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida

The ride from Disney World was 50-miles of heavy traffic down US-27 then east on US-17A through mega orange groves. Lake Kissimmee State Park is more or less a fish camp located on Lake Kissimmee while at the same time preserving a historical cow camp. In the 1870's, when there were no fences, wild cows roamed the prairies in this part of the state. Cracker's (cowboys with "bullwhips") rounded up these wild cattle and drove them to holding pins where they were branded, sold and other things cowboys do with cattle. A grove of live oak trees here in the park was one of those cow camps. The state park has recreated this cow camp complete with their sleeping facilities, cook houses, corrals and holding pins.

The prairie stretches to the banks of Lake Kissimmee in this picture.

Sandhill Crane in Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida

Sandhill Crane wandering through the campground at Lake Kissimmee State Park.

We like Kissimmee Lake State Park and the area around it for the flora and fauna especially the wildlife. The area is surrounded by mammoth orange groves, cattle ranches pristine lakes and fish camps.

Sandhill Crane in Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida

Joyce took this picture of the ubiquitous Sandhill Cranes that wander through the State Park and residential yards in this part of the state.

Whitetail doe in Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida

Deer, feral hogs, armadillo, sandhill cranes, anhinga, egrets, poinsettia bushes/trees, massive live oak trees draped in resurrection fern and Spanish moss, myriad varieties of palm trees and the brilliant fruits that adorn their crown, prairie lands covered with palmetto are just a few of the delicacies that entertain our optic senses.

Great Egret at Lake Kissimmee State Park

Great egret on the bank of Lake Kissimmee in Lake Kissimmee State Park.

Sandhill Cranes in Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida

Unlike humans, sandhill cranes mate for life. These cranes are generally spotted in pairs unless they have adolescents with them. At this time of year we are seeing groups of three or four sandhill cranes indicating the mating pair are being accompanied by one or more offspring that have not "left the nest" with a mate. Sandhill cranes can be seen roaming through the campground as well as feeding in residential yards. They are not skittish is the least bit. They are everything but pets in this area.

Lake Kissimmee State Park

Lake Kissimmee State Park is located on a prairie on the northern bank of Lake Kissimmee. Most people find it difficult to think of Florida prairies but much of the southern portion of peninsula Florida is indeed a large prairie. On higher ground oak groves have established their niche in the ecosystem.

Both of these pictures give you a feel for this prairie land accentuated by picturesque live oak trees.

Feral pigs are so abundant that they have become a nuisance but we seldom see them as they are very elusive. However, they are not elusive enough to escape automobiles.

Resurrection Fern on ancient live oak tree in Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida

These are more pictures of resurrection fern. You can see the vibrant green that appears after a shower.

Boat launch basin in Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida

Joyce captured this picture of the boat launch basin in Lake Kissimmee State Park.

Oak Hammock and Sandhill Crane in Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida

This is a picture of an oak grove in Lake Kissimmee State Park an a sandhill crane that wandered through our campsite as we were trying to leave.

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Until next time remember how good life is.

Mike & Joyce Hendrix

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