Freeport, FL
December 14, 2017
Topsail is a popular destination for many who come to visit the South Walton Beaches...whether for a day trip or an extended stay at the RV park or a cabin.
Florida purchased the 1,640 acres in 1992 and boasts it is the most intact coastal system in all of Florida with 14 identifiable ecosystems including five freshwater coastal dune lakes, longleaf pine forests, wetlands and 3.2 miles of unspoiled sandy white beaches.
There are over 10 miles of hiking/biking trails throughout the park. Motorized vehicles are not allowed outside the camping/cabin area making for a nice quiet outdoor experience. Joe and I enjoyed a nice 3.5 to 4.0 mile (roundtrip) hike/walk through a longleaf forest to Campbell Lake.
Topsail Hill SP is one of 510 sites listed on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trails webpage. Eyes and ears were wide open in hopes for bird sightings.
Our big excitement for the day was a pair of Florida Bald Eagles nesting in a tree top about a half mile away on the other side of Morris Lake. Way to far for a closeup picture...still a very special sighting for us!
Walking around the lake were lots of little interesting things to see...
This was a surprise find. It's a little late in the season for lilies. Did you know that when the lily closes up for good after a few days, the underwater stalks curl up and the lily becomes submerged. Inside the closed petals, the pollinated flower develops seeds and the petals turn into a pod to protect them.
This little guy was about the size of a quarter.
Something tiny burrowing under the sand made for interesting mounds above ground.
Not sure what these are...
On our way back to the day use parking area, we met an interesting gentleman who works for The Longleaf Alliance.
His name is Bob Wilken. He is a 36 year veteran of Wildlife Fire Management as well as related habitat restoration and protection.
His winter job finds him in the south restoring longleaf pine forests and his summer jobs finds him restoring prairie land near Mt. Rainier. He did such a great job explaining how controlled fires are beneficial to this particular type of pine tree and that burns are necessary to ensure a sustainable future for the longleaf pine and wiregrass forests.
Bob told us how "burning" at Topsail is tricky because they can not burn if winds are blowing north.
South blowing winds occasionally happen in the spring so most of the year, scrub oaks and other pines and small trees have to be removed manually. For more information check out The Longleaf Alliance.
HAPPY TRAILS!
What an interesting are and the controlled burns explanation , like we have is areas back home.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to write about the controlled burns with all the horrific wildfires in California and the northwest we have experienced this year. All my research says the controlled burns are helpful.
DeleteAnother pretty park! I did not know about the water lilies, pretty cool! I also did not know there were bald eagles in FL!
ReplyDeleteWe have seen the eagles here, but never nesting...what a treat!
DeleteEagles in FL?, I had to blow up your picture to see if it wasn't an osprey. WOW - who knew? We haven't haven't given FL much of a chance, just a few days in the panhandle. We'll have to get back! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely don’t want to be here in the summer Jeff...way to crowded, humid and the mosquitoes are horrible. The beaches here are amazing!
DeleteWe recently stayed in our first FL state park at Rainbow Springs and after reading many write ups about their parks, was not surprised to find we liked it. Currently in Navarre and think we like this part of FL although the weather gas been poor the past few days. Maybe we'll try Topsail some day.
ReplyDeleteLucky you...Florida state parks are hard to get reservations for or at least that has been our experience. Topsail is a full hook park ( it was once a privately owned park the state bought) and is really hard to get in. Yep, the weather has been rainy and cold here too!
DeleteThis is a beautiful park. We've never stayed there, only biked through to see it. I love how the sites are arranged. You found some interesting items on your walk. I didn't know that about the lily! How interesting to meet Bob.
ReplyDeleteReservations are very hard to get at Topsail...we have tried several times with no luck. It’s about 14 miles from Live Oak Landing and makes a perfect day trip.
DeleteI ve heard about this park through you, Gay and I had been convinced ever since. And I think we may have a chance next winter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tidbit about water lily, did not know about it.
We have tried several times to make reservations to stay in the park, but it is always full. Like John and Pam, we have only enjoyed day use passes there for hiking. Good luck on reservations...it is beautiful!
DeleteMona Liza...Grayton SP is beautiful too.
DeleteLove the Eagles and the other critters too. I'm sure I could sit and watch all of them for hours.
ReplyDeleteMe too Jeri!
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