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While visiting a friend who had recently relocated to Southwest Florida, she mentioned that she had not seen one alligator since she had been there.
Now, to some people, that might not be such a bad thing, but everyone knows that alligators outnumber people in many parts of the state, so it was quite surprising that she had not seen even one.
Maybe she wasn’t looking in the right places?
During a spring trip to Fort Myers, I was looking for something to occupy my morning. Something that would give me a bit of exercise and yet, give me something to write about. After a few internet searches and scouring my trusty Google Maps, I found that “something” just off of Six Mile Cypress Parkway.
The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (pronounced sloo) is a wetland ecosystem comprised of over 3,500 acres with a boardwalk trail, Interpretive Center and amphitheater. This slough catches and slowly filters rainwater which then makes its way to Estero Bay and provides a habitat for fish, alligators and birds. This slice of nature, conveniently located only `15 minutes from downtown Fort Myers, offers visitors the opportunity to view wildlife from an elevated boardwalk snaking through the preserve.
Heading out early that morning, I secured a place to park in the already crowded lot, tightened the laces on my walking shoes and prepared for a long walk…
What I soon discovered was that the name is a little misleading. Named for the highway that it is located off of, Six Mile Cypress Parkway, I thought that it meant that I was going to find six miles of boardwalk. Silly me. After studying the map at the entrance, I learned that the boardwalk was only 1.2 miles long. Nevertheless, I was interested in what I might find, and the regulations sign informed me (see number 4) that jogging, and power walking are not permitted on the boardwalk. So much for my exercise regimen that day…
Since I am originally from the great state of Louisiana, I am accustomed to seeing moss-covered cypress trees, muddy water, wading birds and even the occasional alligator, so this was nothing new for me. However, one never knows what Mother Nature might throw out at them and there is something unique in every swamp setting. Definitely a lot of beauty would be here in the preserve, you just need to know where to look and what to look for.
The boardwalk was well maintained and actually quite busy for a weekday morning. As I made my way around, I discovered shelters offering information on the slough and its residents, photo blinds and seating areas throughout, making it easy to relax and enjoy (and capture) the scenery. Immediately, I noticed a group of white birds wading in the murky waters, hunting for their breakfast among the hundreds of cypress knees. Admiring the flora and fauna, I slowly made my way from pond to pond…Pop Ash, Otter, Wood Duck…hoping to catch a glimpse of some of their inhabitants, but it wasn’t until I reach the Gator Lakes that I actually saw some movement.
Eyes and ridged back barely visible amongst the lily pads, a small gator slowly made his way around the lake, possibly hoping for his own meal. A little further away, I noticed another as well as a few turtles sunning themselves on a log. Amusing as it was for me to listen to some of the other visitors gasping at this tiny four-foot gator, I had to remind myself that while I had grown up seeing monster-sized alligators while we fished in the backwaters of Louisiana, this may have been some visitor’s first time seeing one in the wild.
My time in the preserve was rather short, as 1.2 miles doesn’t require a lot of time to cover, even with photo stops and time for nature spotting, but it provided a nice and inexpensive outing. Lee County residents should be commended for petitioning to raise their own taxes back in 1976 to raise the funds to protect the slough as a preserve and provide it free of charge for visitors. Another similar sanctuary in nearby Naples, a little larger in size, is owned by the Audubon Society, but charges a heft entry fee.
Take my advice, enjoy what the residents worked hard to preserve and spend some time in Lee County. As I told my friend, “Go to the Slough Preserve and find your gator! Do the Slough (Sloo)!”
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Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
- https://www.sloughpreserve.org
- Address: 7751 Penzance Blvd, Fort Myers, Florida 33966-0600
- Hours: Dawn to Dusk, daily. Interpretive Center: Open from 1000-1600, Tuesday through Sunday.
- Admission: free
- Parking: $1.00 per hour, maximum $5.00 per day, payable at pay stations in the lot. Lee Country Annual Parking Stickers are accepted at this location.