Hiking the Prairie Loop Trail, #1 of a series |
About 1/8 mile into the trail you will come to a small stream. After crossing, take a moment to scan the prairie on the left. Depending on time of year, the landscape may be painted with bushy yellow golden rod, tall stalks of purple blazing star, nodding pink meadow beauties or the silvery leaves and creamy white flowers of the pawpaw plant. As you walk along the stream, look for deer. While deer may be seen throughout the park, I have seen an eight-point buck and several herds of does from this spot. In spring, you may even be rewarded with the sight of a doe with a spotted fawn. |
Turn your eyes closer to the ground to see the multitude of wildflowers in the prairie. From delicate Lady's tresses orchids, to blue-eyed and yellow-eyed grasses, to a colorful pallet of sunflowers and asters, many flowers can be seen from the trail. You may also see many butterflies, including a variety of swallowtails, skippers and hairstreaks. The next hammock is filled primarily with tall palms. The ground, which receives little light, is mostly bare except for the litter of dead palm fronds. Look straight up into the palms to admire their height and stature. | At the trail's mid-point is a primitive campground with a few picnic tables and a covered pavilion. This is a great place to stop and eat a snack or lunch. From there, you will head north. For the next 3/4 of a mile the prairie will be on your right and a strand of trees along a natural slough will be on your left. This is another place to look for deer. When you reach Military Trail you are 2/3s through your hike. You will head east, back toward the campground. This part is over shell road, and can be very hot, so make sure you ration water to have enough. Military Trail is a good place to spot snakes sunning in the road. Most snakes in Florida are harmless, but the prairie is also home to Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, so be cautious. The real beauty of this part of the trail is the landscape: Note the contrasting colors and textures of the landscape: The points of the fan-shaped Palmetto leaves, the sweep of the wiregrasses, the silvery soft leaves of the pawpaw and the shiny green dwarf oaks. As the park literature suggests: Enjoy the prairie by looking into it, not at it. |
Random thoughts on and pictures of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve.
Photos are
©Christina Evans
unless otherwise noted
(Blog images may often be viewed larger by clicking on them)
April 2016
October 2015
May 2015
March 2014
November 2013
August 2013
May 2013
January 2013
December 2012
October 2012
July 2012
May 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
All
Bachman's Sparrow
Butterflies
Crested Caracara
Donna Bollenbach
Endangered Species
Fall
Fire
Florida Brown Snake
Florida Grasshopper Sparrow
Flowers
Kissimmee Prairie
Linda Cooper
Membership
Northern Bobwhite
Prairie Loop Trail
Seasons
Skippers
Trails
Turkeys
White-tailed Kite
Wildlife