Skunk Ape Water Moccasin Big Cypress Hike.

[Woods Walker]

This is my second attempt in as many years to sniff out the Skunk ape. In fact I had an entire wish list including the following:

1. Skunk Ape. Not likely.
2. Florida Panther. Maybe but cats are so elusive.
3. Eastern Diamond back rattler. Maybe.
4. Black bear. Maybe.
5. Coral snake. Not likely.
6. Water Moccasin. Likely.
7. Gators. Likely.
8. Wild boar. Refer to number 2 so not likely.
9. Pigmy rattler. Maybe though kinda hard to see.

Ok so it's a GO! The legendary Skunk Ape!





The trail is off the beaten path. Last time the mosquitoes and flood waters practically carried me away. This time at least some of the trail was above water. In many places the trail was narrow.



Other areas wide open.





Fire swept though this swamp though not sure when. Guessing to too long (maybe a few years) ago.









Something big splashed in this pond as we approached. There is a gator which is visible (just part of the head) in the first photo. In the second it sank. Lots of fish here so guessing it's the good life for the resident gators. See if you can find the gator.





Lots of (guessing) coral rock and sand. Something I am not used to. The water is overal clearer than back home as well. Maybe all that funky rock is the reason.





Very swampy trail but at least passable with boots.





I like cypress.





Anytime yea find a shot up car or truck in the woods it's a good sign or at least for me.



Something was on this log near these water plants very near my foot. It moved off fast and only knew about it because my uncle yelled.





Aw. Look at this bundle of joy. The snake didn't go far from it's log. The water was somehow slowly moving and full of fish.







Classic Cotton Mouth threat display. You really don't want those fangs to sink into a body part in a swamp. Like other pit vipers I encountered once they get their game face on they're in no hurry to move. Not aggressive however they hold their ground. At least that's the case with the rattlers etc I seen.



I wild edible. A pond or swamp apple. Not really the best tasting thing or so I have been told. Edible but didn't try it. I was thinking about going out to eat. LOL!



That's about it. Sorry to say no skunk ape, panther, black bear, rattlers etc etc however did run into some gators and that cottonmouth. Also seen some cool birds but they were camera shy. Here is a video for those with too much time on their hands.

[video=youtube;8D83IDKqT_o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D83IDKqT_o[/video]

Thanks for looking.

 

[Stumps]

Very nice photos....thanks for posting!
I've backpacked through Big Cypress four times now and have seen everything on your list except for the skunk ape.

Here is a bad cell phone picture I took of a panther after the third time through Big Cypress.
I had just come out of the swamp about 5 miles before and was walking north on a closed two track road towards the indian reservation when I came across this guy.

 

[panzertroop]

that statue looks just like me!

 

[Woods Walker]

Very nice photos....thanks for posting!
I've backpacked through Big Cypress four times now and have seen everything on your list except for the skunk ape.

Here is a bad cell phone picture I took of a panther after the third time through Big Cypress.
I had just come out of the swamp about 5 miles before and was walking north on a closed two track road towards the indian reservation when I came across this guy.

That's cool! I looked hard but couldn't find one!

 

[Stumps]

It was an exciting day for me! I had always hoped to see one in the wild.
He was walking south and had just come around the bend. I was walking north.
I thought he would take off quickly, but we both stood there looking at each other for nearly a full minute before he turned to his left and walked into the woods.
Here is a picture of when I first saw him.