Add (A Visit To The Park) To Your List This Holiday Season As A Gift To Your Self And Your Spirit.

Guest Column/Dorothy L. Harris, Park Services Specialist
Highlands Hammock State Park/December 2004
Fall colors
Well it seems that winter has come to Highlands Hammock State Park.

All throughout the hammock the hickory trees are beginning to sport bright yellow leaves against the remaining greenery of the canopy.

The best places to see this brief change of season is on the Ancient Hammock trail or the Richard Leiber Memorial Trail.


In the underbrush of both trails you may notice the beautyberry bushes heavy with clusters of bright purple berries, while the marlberry bushes sport ink-black ones.

The oaks don’t have nearly the abundance of acorns that they’ve had in years past, but the deer are feasting nonetheless.

Canal in winter
Other indicators of the winter season include the bright red berries adorning the Florida or Dahoon holly bushes.

Look for those along the Cypress Swamp Trail boardwalk or along the South Canal as you enjoy a tram ride.

Also spotted along the tram route are many young alligators basking in the winter sunlight.

These cold nights, followed by bright sunny days, are perfect for viewing alligators from the guided tram tours.

You will see many alligators of various sizes, along with several species of turtles.

As they soak up the sun and attempt to warm their cold-blooded bodies, they offer a perfect photo opportunity.

Just think of the fun that you’ll have taking lots of photos to send home to the folks freezing back up north.

The Hammock is really a wonderful place to spend these clear, cool mornings too. Many varieties of songbirds can be spotted even though the canopy remains tattered from our summer hurricanes. Enjoy the possibilities of seeing Yellow-rumped warblers, Black and white warblers and northern parulas. Hike and look for Pileated woodpeckers as they dip and dive through the palms and oaks. Above you in the clear blue sky will be Black vultures and Red Shouldered hawks soaring. Deep in the swamps you might discover a flock of White Ibis plundering through the shallow waters searching for a meal.
That is one search, however, that you won’t have to also worry about. The park’s restaurant, the Hammock Inn, has reopened for breakfast once again. Nancy Davis and her staff will be serving breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. That means you can arrive right when the park opens at 8:00 a.m., hike the park to bird watch and then stop in at the restaurant to enjoy the roaring fire and some gourmet coffee or a hot breakfast before heading home.

On Sundays, breakfast will be served until 2:00 p.m., so keep the Inn in mind for after-church family gatherings. If you prefer lunch items, they are prepared Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This offers a great opportunity to get together with friends, relax, enjoy lunch, and then take a 45-minute stroll around the “Loop Drive” for some exercise.

This is a great way to take a break this busy holiday season.
If you are more of a night owl, you might prefer to enjoy the Friday Night Fish Fry. All you care to eat fried fish, along with tasty sides will be served from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On cold nights, the fire will warm you and provide an intimate, casual setting for you and your family. Just think of it as taking a break from the noise, hectic pace and rush of most other places this holiday season.

There’s just something about the peace and stillness of “the REAL Floridasm”. Add it to your list this holiday season as a gift to your self and your spirit.

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