When you visit Collier-Seminole State Park, there are three trails for you to choose from. Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. This trail, the 3.5 mile trail is the intermediate trail. It’s great to hike down, and even easier to bike through.
Once you get out of the car and go down the trail, this is the first obstacle you must encounter.
Actually, you just follow the trail to the right and then you will see the sign leading you down this historic Old Marco Road. Which, if you are from around the area, is quite a trip.
Woodpeckers are a common sight and or sound along the trail.
I know it’s not quite the rough and rugged trail you had in mind. This is the old Marco Trail aspect. Which is obviously still traveled by cars.
They have done a good job with outfitting the palms with bird houses.
On my trip there was a group of kids ahead of me. These were the Sunday special stragglers trying to not look too interested and decided to drag their feet instead of keeping up with the group.
Looking West, the afternoon sun gives a nice light on the airplants.
The ever active Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charitonius). I swear I waited about 5 minutes for this butterfly to land. And then it was off once again.
About one mile down the trail there is a tiny off shoot where things get a lot more narrower.
From here it’s all high grass and pine.
Some of the flowers you will see along the trial. I don’t have a name for these, so if you can identify, please let me know.
And as usual in SW Florida, there are plenty of dragon flies feeding on the mosquitoes.
Here a white peacock butterfly takes a break in the leaves.
Another white peacock butterfly on a flower.
A Green Lynx Spider managed to take a stem of grass and fold it back upon itself and then fill the space with webbing. The trick here is that this “fan” sways back and forth in the wind, swatting at flies and other insects.
It was moving quite a lot, but here is a closeup of the Green Lynx Spider on its web.
The walking trail does break out into a few fields. And along the way you have a good chance of seeing quite a few butterflies dipping into the flowers. This time there were a flock of Tropical Queen butterflies (Danaus eresimus) enjoying the flowers.
A few White Peacocks (Anartia jatrophae) joined in.
I love this shot. I watched it land on the flower and then slowly bend all the way down to where you see the shot now.
Green Lynx Spider
The walking trail kicks out onto a property line and then forces you back onto another boring service road. This last stretch is more or less a straight show home with little more to see.
The shot above is of a scorched sable palm with Virginia creeper contrasting off of its black truck.
Here is a typical view along the home stretch. Sawgrass and scorched sabal palms.
Make sure you bring water for the trip, and some good shoes. The last stretch is a bit boring, and you will be ready to just get back to the car. But definitely bring your camera because there is tons of wildlife out there. Next time I am too lazy to load the kayak up, I might just throw my bike in the car and head back here for a couple laps.