Historical Dora Canal

We were previlaged to be invited for a private boat ride down the most beautiful mile of water in the world, historical Dora Canal.  This is one of those canals that meander all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.  The Riverest Park, where we stayed for several weeks, sits adjacent to Dora Canal. 

The canal is lined with towering cypress trees, some over 2,000 years old, draped with Spanish moss.  The Dora Canal is a safe haven for nesting ospreys, herons, egrets, buzzard rookeries, otters and alligators.  Floating down the canal reminded me of "Dueling Bangos" and the movie Deliverance.  :o))

Cypress tree roots grow everywhere above and below the water.  It produces 'cypress knees' , thought to help transport oxygen to the roots.

Buzzard rookery - lots of nests and many birds flying overhead. 

Osprey

Egret

Large something-or-another drying the wings so he could fly off. 

Swamp - watch out for Water Mocassins and Aligators

Another large bird soaking up the sun.  All the southerners know the names of all the creatures, but hey, we're from the northwest.  What can we say?

It was a very relaxing and warm float trip down the Historical Dora Canal!