Comments on: Swamp Things

By: Carri

Carri — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:38:44 +0000

I visited some of the mangroves in Honduras- on the island of Roatan. They were gorgeous! But there are a lot of new vacation homes popping up near them- so I wonder how much longer they’ll be intact. Glad I saw them when i did

By: Heavy Petal

Heavy Petal — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:21:15 +0000

Q: Have you ever been to a Mangrove forest? A: No, but now I ABSOLUTELY MUST! How surreal it must have been.

I think the closest thing I’ve ever experienced was in Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island – deep in the (temperate) rainforest, I was off building trails with a little environmental organization, and we camped on the edge of this lake that was formed when a landslide blocked the river running through the bottom of a valley. The valley flooded, and the lake was born. And all the trees at the bottom of the valley eventually died, but remained standing in this lake, and you could swim amongst these ancient cedars. One of the coolest experiences of my life. And although I don’t have room for a lake in my garden, I do try to replicate the feeling it left me with.

Thanks for sharing this with us!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:28:39 +0000

Great Pics. I have been to the Caroni Swamp -a mangrove forest/reserve in Trinidad- twice, and looks a lot like this.
The Caroni Swamp is an important habitat for the Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber), one of the national birds of Trinidad and Tobago.This is also the world’s most accessible location to see the Scarlet Ibis-the sight of hundreds of them coming in to roost at evening is quite something.

By: germinatrix

germinatrix — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:56:51 +0000

Hey dearest Christina! Isn’t it magic? a total church!

Expat! Thanks so much for the sweet words! I have to say, I really missed blogging for the months I was gone. I LOVE being my own blog entity! And I’m so glad my awesome friends from Domino followed me here. I’m lucky!
And I’m glad I could give you a little bit of a spirit lift. How difficult, to still be dealing with the aftermath of Katrina – my best thoughts are always with you; I know the home on the fringes of a marsh (how beautiful) will be yours again, even if it is a little different. The wonder of nature changes everything – sometimes in a devastating way – but it also heals.
Much love!

By: Jean Prescott

Jean Prescott — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:24:49 +0000

Germi, I hope you know how wonderful it is to have you back.

By: Jean Prescott

Jean Prescott — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:24:14 +0000

I’ve seem some small replication of this along the rivers on the Space Coast of Florida but nothing so Gothic. Just gorgeous. I do so miss living on the fringes of a marsh, as I did before Katrina. Still trying to get home…this post buoyed my spirits.

By: Christina

Christina — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:11:22 +0000

I literally breathed “ooooh!” when I saw these photos – amazing!

By: germinatrix

germinatrix — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:06:07 +0000

Hey there ESP! I’m glad you know the Mangroves – I can imagine you communing with these water ‘Ents’ who probably speak with bubbly accents.
A huge assortment of fish and wildlife live in and around the mangroves – I saw so many other birds, a mammal that I couldn’t identify that looked somewhat like a lemur, and three big hanging termite mounds that I couldn’t get pics of because it was dark. But you are the luckiest! You saw SEAHORSES! I love them – I want a seahorse tatooed on my wrist (or a ladybug. or an ivy leaf.) I can’t imagine how surreal it must have been to see them in their habitat! Aren’t moments like that just – pure life? Sigh…
I’m ‘hooked’ on the mangroves, too – I want to go back and explore further into the deep dark maze, if I am lucky enough to be invited back to ‘The Island’ (it always feels so Sci-Fi when I say that!)
Thanks for stopping by, friend!

Loree dear – you’d love the mangroves! They are majestic and strange, just like our favorite plants. It’s funny, because even though there are so many nature sounds in the Mangrove Swamp, it seems quieter at the same time; like the air behind the sounds was somehow thicker – or filled with cotton. It was lovely! I’m glad to have added another place to your ‘must visit’ list!
XOXO!

By: Loree - danger garden

Loree - danger garden — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:28:25 +0000

You’ve just added another must see to my list. Thank you, I think (the list is long…). They are beautiful, and must be so peaceful “in real life”

By: ESP

ESP — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:41:07 +0000

Hi Ivette.
Great photographs of the ancient mangrove forest, what a magical place…very Tolkien. The last time I was in Belize I hired a guide and went fly fishing for bone fish and tarpon on his tiny boat in and around the mangroves – it was amazing. He stopped at the edge of one mangrove cluster, wedged his legs under a seat, and at full stretch pointed out some baby sea horses! they were tiny…ever since then I have been hooked on mangroves (which, as it happens, is a really easy structure to get “hooked”up on). It looks like your trip took you deep into the interior of the forest!
Stunning, and yes, it is a crime these natural temples are declining.

ESP.