Another day trip involved driving around Lake Okeechobee, eventually ending up at the Cypress Knee Museum, near Palmdale. Cypress trees are normally found in very wet environments, and their root systems have conical protrusions which stick up vertically. While scientisits are not certain of the purpose of the knees, it's commonly thought they help provide stability to the tree in muddy soil.
The Cypress Knee Museum showcased many Knee sculptures created by museum proprietor Tom Gaskins. Unfortunately, the museum closed in 2006, but I do have a few photos to help me remember my visit there. There are also a few web sites featuring the museum, one of which I have included in my
Landmarks I've Visited section. I also bought a finished cypress knee from Tom, which to this day is featured prominently in my living room.
Open land on the road to Cypress Knee Museum.
A pond near the road. I love photos of rural landscapes, so I've included several in this post.
More of the pond in the previous photo.
Another open area, with a cypress 'stand' in the background.
A pine forest in the background.
More pines and a ranch gate.
On the grounds of the Cypress Tree Museum. The grounds included a large forested area. You can see cypress knees protruding from the earth.
A plank walkway leads visitors safely through the forest.
Meadow-like opening in the forest.
Another one of my trademark 'tree and sky' shots. Actually, there's a red bromeliad on one of the trees, but I don't think it will show up well here. The camera I used during this time period was none too advanced.
I also like to take photos of convergent objects, like the sides of a road merging together on the horizon. This was taken heading west on State Road 74 (if memory serves) on my way home from Cypress Knee Museum.
A Hobiecat approaches the beach in late afternoon.
The Hobie has landed.
Now back at the northwest section of the beach, looking toward the southeast.
Birds love the beach too.
A Brown Pelican dives into the Gulf to catch dinner.
Another shot of the quartz sand. Looks amazingly like snow.
A high-rise condo right on the beach.
The sun sets.
The setting sun.
Another sunset shot.
The sun pokes through the clouds in one last gasp before falling below the horizon.
Open land on the road to Cypress Knee Museum.
A pond near the road. I love photos of rural landscapes, so I've included several in this post.
More of the pond in the previous photo.
Another open area, with a cypress 'stand' in the background.
A pine forest in the background.
More pines and a ranch gate.
On the grounds of the Cypress Tree Museum. The grounds included a large forested area. You can see cypress knees protruding from the earth.
A plank walkway leads visitors safely through the forest.
Meadow-like opening in the forest.
Another one of my trademark 'tree and sky' shots. Actually, there's a red bromeliad on one of the trees, but I don't think it will show up well here. The camera I used during this time period was none too advanced.
I also like to take photos of convergent objects, like the sides of a road merging together on the horizon. This was taken heading west on State Road 74 (if memory serves) on my way home from Cypress Knee Museum.