As he was talking we came upon an Anhinga, or snake bird. This beautiful specimen which is native to this area has a somewhat unique quality. Its wings get water logged when diving for fish. This makes it difficult for the bird to fly. To remedy this after it happens, the creature often stands with its wings outstretched catching the breeze in order to dry them. Bill continued with his explanation of the geology of the area. The Floridan is a confined artesian aquifer, meaning that water is under pressure and rises in a well without a pump. 400,000 gallons of water a minute are pushed to the surface to form the Wakulla River. The aquifer is primarily made up of limestone. The limestone rock acts like a sponge to hold water. The holes in the rock allow the water to flow freely through it. The aquifer is replenished in a natural process called "recharge". Recharge occurs when water seeps through the soil down into the aquifer's limestone layer to be stored. The Floridan has an average thickness of 1000 feet but has been estimated to be 3500 feet thick in southwest Florida. Rocks that make up the aquifer are easily dissolved by acidic rainwater. When this occurs, large cave systems form, leading to sinkholes. For thousands of years, millions of gallons of fresh water have been forced up thorough the limestone to the surface, to form the headwater of the Wakulla River. The water is so clean it is better to drink then most city water. In 1937, Edward Ball bought up the land around the headwater, extending several miles downstream. Over the years he turned the area into a sanctuary and refuge for native Florida. He built a 27 room lodge for his guest and a swimming area in the lagoon. Today, this area is a state park, kept much the same as Edward Ball had created it. The lodge is a hotel, complete with a dining room. The diving tower in the lagoon is still in operation. Glass bottom boats have been added and tours are offered as boat rides down the river for about 3 miles. The boat ride is what makes the park so special. It's like stepping back in time to pre-historic days. There are about 50 alligators which are resident to the river banks as well as egrets, birds of every imagination, and even an occasional snake, all swim, fly or hang around just inches from the side of the boat. The area has hosted several movies including one of my all time favorites for the old black and white era, the famed 1937 "Creature of the Black Lagoon", There were also several "Tarzan" films, and as our guide pointed out, one particular palm tree which grew along the banks was often a place for Tarzan to perch while working on his relationship with Jane. The underwater scenes from "Airport 77" were shot near the mouth of the cave. All in all, pretty memorable.

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