We wrapped up our last day at Okefenokee NWR, (at least for this trip), with a fabulous day. We stayed at camp this morning and got the laundry washed and some much needed tiding of the camper done. We left camp after 1 pm, and we thought this would be a quick in and out tour of the refuge. We were so wrong.
We hiked the Cane Pole Trail with temps in the 70's and a nice breeze blowing. I was a few feet from a Black Racer before Lauren told me to stop. As much as I love nature, I still had a fast beating heart as I took one giant step backwards, watching his red tongue flitting around. He allowed a few close up pics before slithering away.
We took our time on the trail and finally got a picture of the Zebra Longwing Butterfly that we have been chasing for almost a week.
Just when we thought this day can't get any better for us nature chasers, we heard the familiar, "Who cooks for you, Who cooks for you all," which is the signature hoot of the Barred Owl. We saw him fly down the trail right over a women's head and land in a tree. We were ecstatic to get this close for a photo op. We aren't sure why, this owl was flying around in the afternoon. But we did see him run off a couple of Pileated Woodpeckers that were pecking on trees. Maybe, they woke him up, or maybe he wanted a midnight snack.
We walked the road at the Borrow Ditch and found a few plants and such.
We took our last stroll along the Chesser Boardwalk to the Tower and found a cool Virginian Tiger Moth on the way back.
Our last excitement, (at Okefenokee), was on the road leaving the refuge, when a Fox Squirrel entertained us running alongside the road. He, along with all the critters today, put on a spectacular show.
We never saw any Sandhill Cranes, but we did hear their elusive call a couple of times while hiking.
We can call it a wrap for Okefenokee, tomorrow is a moving day.
