Not far from here...about 10 miles is the Twin Swamps Nature preserve. It is known for it's Bald Cyprus Trees. This is the upper limit in the United States where they will grow. They thrive in water. The wood from the Cyprus...due to it's natural waterproofing is usually used for wooden shingles on roofs.
The swamp area is a unique Eco system in this part of the Midwest...regretfully it is also home to water moccasins or cotton mouths. One of the most poisonous snakes in the U.S. As a matter of fact one visited me while I was taking this picture! I was standing on an old log...as I looked down...the snake was about a foot from the log in the water. As you might imagine...I wasted no time getting the h...ll off that log and didn't even consider sticking around to get a picture of it. There are some things I will not do to get a photograph....the two that come to mind has to do with snakes and spiders.
Dan
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10 comments:
Well you did get this picture anyway ;) and it's a good one! I would have thought there had been a flood...
I like this much better without the snake!
I didn't know Cypress trees grew that far north.
☼ Sunny
Beautiful picture. I'm going to try not to think about the snake too hard. :#
Dawn Treader...I almost felt like there was a flood...trying to get off the log...I got a bit wet!
Dan
Sunny this is as far north as they grow. If you look at a map of Cyprus growth...you will see that it reaches up to the tip of Southern Illinois and we live not far from the border of Southern Illinois.
Dan
Shabbygirl...of all the folks that get scared of snakes...I thought you would be one that was not scared of them...being the queen of critter photos!
Dan
Amazing that these trees can grow in water, their sap must have very high waterproofing qualities.
I don't like snakes either, so pleased that you noticed it and got away. xoxo ♥
You managed to get a great picture anyway Dan. I would run from snakes real fast!
Dianne...Cyprus is an amazing wood against the elements. We used to have a house that was sided with Cyprus. No insects, termites would come near it and we didn't even have to apply waterproofing to it.
Dan
I am there with you Septembermom...running and looking over my shoulder!
Dan
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