Adventures in Florida #20: Dixie Mainline Trail
Explore One of Florida's Most Remote Scenic Routes
Located in the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge, the Dixie Mainline Trail was originally constructed to serve as a narrow-gauge railway in the 1920's to remove the massive cypress from the swampland.
Today the trail spans a total of 8.5 miles through the refuge making it a great trail to drive or bike but there are also plenty of points where you can get out and walk trails to explore further. I stopped at the first parking area for a short walk to one of the first scenic views. As soon as I stepped out I could see hundreds of hermit crabs scattering for cover...all except for one who stood his ground!
come at me bro!
This courageous crustacean even rushed towards me a couple times with his claw in the air. I snapped a few shots of him and as soon I stood up he scampered away to his little hidey-hole in the sand. A short walk down the trail led to a nice overlook of a coastal savanna, a brackish-water habitat where the saltwater meets the fresh in the marshes.
Back on the main trail the canopy closes in around the road again as you enter the floodplain forest. There are a few stretches of the trail where the road is simply bordered by the woods without much of a view. However, there are a few spots that open up with some beautifully still marsh waters.
At just under 7 miles the trail traverses Shired Creek offering a beautiful view of one of several waterways that meander throughout the refuge. I really wish I had brought my kayak along this day to explore further into the marshes, maybe next time!
Shortly after crossing Shired Creek I reached my destination, Shired Island.
The views here were spectacular as the marshy backwaters met with the Gulf of Mexico.
Along the shoreline by the boat ramp there were thousands of hermit crabs doing their thing.
From the parking lot next to the boat ramp I walked the short distance out to the beach and found something that added a little cherry on top to the trip.
As I reached the beach I began seeing large dead trees scattered around, salt-washed skeletons speckling the sandy shore.
Thanks for joining me on this adventure, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Time to hit the trail and head back home.
photos captured with Canon 80D/18-135mm
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until next time...
Any gators around there? I'm not sure if those waters are meant for swimming, right? haha
It is Florida so there are definitely gators around in the fresh and brackish waters but not out where it meets the Gulf. Gators don't take high salinity levels well.
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I love Florida. I love dive there so much. Amazing shots full of beautiful memories :-)))
Great post, made me smile! I love those crabs! Where I live in Florida I haven't seen those guys. Thanks for sharing!!
my pleasure @steem-samiam! I was laughing so hard when that one crab was trying to act tough!
Florida's nuts man.. Well the wildlife scene is, I should specify. These shots were nice, especially the crab gif at the end. Careful out there.
K Scratch
Wow! This is one of your best posts I have read so far. You should post that second beach dead wood shot as it's own post, and submit it to some SteemIt photo contests. In fact, if you post that as an individual shot I will ReSteem it...
Thanks @transcript-junky glad you like it, I believe I may have already done that for a #treetuesday post prior to this one
Thanks for bringing my attention to the #treetuesday hashtag, @liberty-minded. You are helping me, by example, to better understand the various photography-related features here in SteemIt. I will start researching and using these types of hashtags in future photo posts...
this may make your search a bit easier:
monochromemonday by @old-guy-photos
treetuesday by @old-guy-photos
beachwednesday by @lizanomadsoul
sunthursday by @lizanomadsoul
lovefriday by @liliana.duarte
marketfriday by @dswigle
saturdayview by @luxurylifestyle
beersaturday by @detlev
beautifulsunday by @ace108
sundayscentexperience by @dutchess
colorchallenge by @kalemandra
mypictureday by @timsaid
introduceyourhometown by @redtravels
travelmap by @lizanomadsoul
Hope that helps @transcript-junky!
Yup. You read my mind. I was going to ask you for something like this, but didn't want to bother you. I will start browsing these tags and post photos with them into the future. Thanks.
Great photos!
thanks @jaki01!
Reminds me of the Netflix show, Bloodline (was filmed down there in the Keys). Good work fam.
appreciate it @sportsncoffee!
I think it was the most courageous crab out there! hahaha! Look at hime man...like a gangster! Lol!
Awesome shots my friend!
@progressivechef
always appreciated @progressivechef!
Great photos, as always. I wouldn't mess with that crab... He looks like he could have a mean left hook! Did you see any interesting birds in the area?
lol, yup...that was one bad ass crab!
Surprisingly no, didn't see many birds at all that day for some reason other than a few Ibis and Anhingas