Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

One word comes to mind when trying to describe Cypress Creek Refuge: ethereal. The ancient bald cypress trees, some more than 1,000 years old, give one a sense of time standing still. Other trees grow old and majestic, as well, including water locusts, green hawthorns, and overcup oaks. The cypresses are often home to several species, including wood ducks, barn owls, chimney swifts, pileated woodpeckers, flying squirrels, bats, and barn swallows. One cypress that was cut down was found to have housed more than 100 species of birds and mammals. Traveling quietly on one of the canoe trails, you might come across a great blue heron, a family of painted turtles, prothonotary warblers, and bright green tree frogs all on a single stump. In addition to the wetland species found here, one might also see deer, bobcats, and coyotes. Small wonder this refuge is part of an area designated a "Wetland of International Importance" by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.