The Wandering Disciple

The elevated boardwalk through the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is an immersive experience that carries visitors deep into the heart of this delicate and vital ecosystem . Spanning a vast, protected wetland, the slough is an area of seasonal freshwater flow , critical for filtering water and providing a natural habitat for a multitude of species. The carefully constructed walkway offers a unique vantage point, ensuring minimal disturbance to the environment while maximizing the opportunity for wildlife viewing . This rich environment supports a diverse population of flora and fauna, including alligators basking in the sun , wading birds like herons and egrets hunting in the shallow waters, and turtles paddling beneath the cypress trees . The preserve is a living testament to the importance of wetland conservation , offering both a serene escape and a profound educational experience about the intricate balance of nature in Southwest Florida .  You can see more photos from Six M...

A quite pond in the middle of the woods provides a hidden oasis in the hustle and bustle of daily life. A stroll down the elevated boardwalk of Six Mile Cypress will bring you to quite spots like Pop Ash Pond where you can marvel at the beauty of Mother Nature and the animals that call this pond home.  Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a critical ecosystem in the heart of Fort Myers. As the nearby areas began to develop, the community quickly realized the importance of the slough on the regional watershed and an effort to preserve the land began. Today the park features an elevated boardwalk and interpretive center that help explain the importance of the slough and its impact on the local waterways.  Taken: October 5, 2014 at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (Fort Myers, FL)

An alligator catches some rays on a floating dock at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. While humans lay out in the sun to tan, alligators need to lay out in the sun to regulate their body temperatures.  This dock is located in Gator Lake at Six Mile Cypress Slough Park and is one of the best places to spot gators in the park. The park features a 1.2 mile boardwalk that is one of the best places to spot wildlife in the area. Taken: October 23, 2011 at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (Fort Myers, FL)

A squirrel grabs a snack on a warm November afternoon at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Squirrels are just some of the native Floridian wildlife you will encounter during a stroll through the slough.  Water is one of life's necessities and the slow moving waters of the slough are a haven for animals. A walk through the elevated boardwalk of the preserve will bring you up close to so many species. You will find gators, various species of birds and much more all benefiting from the rich waters and ecosystems found here.  Taken: November 25, 2022 at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (Fort Myers, FL)

An anhinga dries out its wings along a pond at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers, Florida. Anhinga lack oil glands in their wings so after swimming, they must dry their wings in the sun before they are able to fly. That is why its quite common to see them stretched out in the Florida sunshine. (Photo: April 10, 2021)

Southern Blue Flag blooms on the floor of the swamp, providing some splashes of color along the greens and browns of the swamp. A member of the Iris family, Southern Blue Flag is found in swampy areas. While it can be poisonous to animals it is thought to bring financial wealth to those who have it. In fact, some businesses place it in their cash registers to help stimulate business. (Photo: March 2, 2019)

  An American Alligator patrols the banks of Gator Lake at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers.  Alligators are plentiful in bodies of freshwater throughout the sunshine state and can be found laying on the bank or swimming in the water looking for a bite to eat.  In addition to feeding, alligators use the water to help manage their body temperatures.  (Photo: February 15, 2019)

A double crested cormorant hangs out by the lake at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers, Florida.  Gator Lake, the largest  of the lakes in the preserve, is home to a wide variety of species from birds to its namesake the American alligator.  The preserve features an elevated boardwalk that takes you through the swamp and Gator Lake is the first lake you pass on your journey.  (Photo: February 10, 2019)

A slough is a slow moving body of water that flows through a wetland ecosystem. The trees and root systems act like a filter, cleaning and purifying the fresh water along the journey. This process creates a diverse plant and wildlife environment with lots of diversity in species. A good place to see this is a the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve where they have an elevated boardwalk that takes you into the heart of the Six Mile Cypress Slough. This slough provides drainage for over a 30 square mile watershed as it begins its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo: January 5, 2019)

When hiking in the wild, be sure to be aware of your surroundings and watch where you step. You never know what might be camouflaged in the forest floor. Like this Cottonmouth here, its markings help it hide so it remain safe and also to camouflage to strike prey. A misstep here could be dangerous as Cottonmouths are venomous.  (Photo: November 18, 2018)

The boardwalk winds through the cypress swamp along your journey through Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. The 1.2 mile boardwalk takes you through the unique ecosystems provided by the slough, a 9-mile long wildlife corridor in the heart of the city. Protected within the park's boundary, the 3,500 wetlands are a safe haven for wildlife including birds, gators, otters and much more and the boardwalk is your front row seat to all the wildlife action. (Photo: January 22, 2017)

The Blue Angels may be flying over cities on the east coast of Florida, a Great Blue Heron decided to do its own flyover as it soared through the swamp at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Despite being the largest wading bird, the Great Blue Heron is a majestic flier, making flight look effortless for such a large bird. (Photo: May 8, 2020)

A red-shouldered hawk looks over the boardwalk at Six Mile Cypress Preserve. The wooden boardwalk takes visitors on a stroll through the preserve where you encounter several distinct ecosystems and the animals that call that ecosystem home. This hawk was spotted within an arm's length from the boardwalk, patiently perched on the tree watching the surroundings. (Photo: May 8, 2020)

Fort Myers, Florida: As Florida begins Phase I reopening as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a few of Florida’s natural gems have started to open. We took advantage of this and practiced our social distancing skills during a wildlife hike at Six Mile Cypress Preserve. The park was rather empty for a weekend and we enjoyed a nice leisurely stroll to the preserve. We have been coming to this park for years and this was the driest I have even seen the park. Much of the swamp and ponds were dry or mostly dry. Hopefully this weekend’s rain will help replenish some of the park’s waterways. During today’s trip, we saw: American Alligator  Black Crowned Night Heron  Eastern Gray Squirrel  Florida Softshell Turtle  Great Blue Heron  Great Egret  Limpkin  Northern Cardinal  Red-bellied Woodpecker  Red Shouldered Hawk  Roseate Spoonbill  Snowy Egret  Tricolored Heron  Tufted Titmouse  Wood Duck...

A fish swims by in the clear waters of a freshwater pond at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. The slough is a slow moving waterway that not only provides a safe place for threatened wildlife, but also acts as a filter for the water as it flows slowly south into the Estero Bay. (Photo: April 17, 2016)

The Sunshine State has decided to participate in Fall as the swamp is filled with a splash of autumn color. The typical lush greens of the swamp was broken up with the red leaves as Fall has hit the region. It may not be the dynamic autumn look of northern states but it is nice to see a little change of season in the land of four summers. (Photo: October 20, 2019)

Fort Myers, Florida: The swamp was filled with color today. The usual lush greens were mixed with bright fall leaves and colorful birds. Today’s hike was missing a lot of the regular visitors but features a few colorful ones I have never seen before. Here is a look at what we found on our hike today:  American Redstart  Black and White Warbler  Blue Jay  Common Yellowthroat  Eastern Gray Squirrel  Limpkin  Northern Cardinal  Peninsular Cooter  You can see Fall in the swamp for yourself by visiting Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. It is located at 7791 Penzance Boulevard in Fort Myers, Florida. The park is opened daily from sunrise to sunset. There is no admission for the park but Lee County charges $1 an hour/$5 daily max for parking.  Click on the photo above to see photos from today and the entire gallery from Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve .

A pair of baby gators play on the edge of the swamp with mama watching nearby. An alligator will build a nest and lay about 30-50 eggs at one time. Once they hatch, the baby gators live together in pods until they grow large enough to protect themselves. (Photo: October 5, 2014)

The usually dark colors of the swamp pop with color as the Southern Blue Flag is beginning to bloom. Found in swampy and wet coastal areas from Louisiana to Virginia, the Southern Blue Flag is in the iris family and gets its name from the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow. This Southern Blue Flag was found in full bloom by the boardwalk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. (Photo: March 10, 2019)

American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau once said "You learn that if you sit down in the woods and wait, something happens." Too many times we are in such a rush, we miss out on just taking a moment and enjoying what nature has to offer. A great place to take a break and watch nature is at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. This urban oasis is home to a variety of plants and animals that live in the distinct ecosystems found within the park. To help you get closer with nature, the park feature an elevated boardwalk with plenty of benches to allow you to sit and watch the beauty of nature all around you. (Photo: October 23, 2011)