Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

I visited south Florida for Thanksgiving. I was traveling very light, and therefore brought my Lumix DMC-FX35 camera, instead of my newer GF1. While there, I paid a visit, as is customary for me, to Wakodahatchee Wetlands (also see Wikipedia’s entry). “Wakodahatchee” means “created waters” in the Seminole language. It is an artificial wetlands created by the Water Utilities Department of Palm Beach County, Florida.

After sewage is treated in wastewater treatment plants, it is generally discharged into the environment, such as into a river or pumped into the ground, where it may then undergo additional natural filtering. The water then may be withdrawn downstream or from wells, processed by water treatment plants, and provided as drinking water. Palm Beach County created Wakodahatchee (and its nearby sister wetlands, Green Cay), to serve as a discharge location for its wastewater treatment plant, to provide a semi-natural environment for wading birds, and to provide a boardwalk for people to get a little exercise and enjoy the wetlands. When in south Florida, I always try to visit Wakodahatchee and/or Green Cay. Green Cay has a visitor’s center, but I think the two wetlands are otherwise comparable.

The boardwalk is only about a mile, and this is not a natural environment, so it doesn’t count as a hike, but it’s a nice place to walk and enjoy the scenery. Signs provide some information along the boardwalk:

Welcome poster, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Welcome poster

Boardwalk, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Boardwalk

Wildlife poster, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Wildlife poster

Boardwalk, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Boardwalk

Boardwalk, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Boardwalk

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

While you can barely see him, an alligator is lurking in the center of the photo, to the right of the tree branch!

Alligator, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Alligator

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

More boardwalk:

Boardwalk, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Boardwalk

"Plants: Nature's Purification Filters" Poster, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

“Plants: Nature’s Purification Filters”

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Water lilies!

Water lilies, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Water lilies

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Bird

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Bird

Stitched panorama:

Shadow of the boardwalk, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Shadow of the boardwalk

Another stitched panorama:

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Boardwalk, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Boardwalk

Dabbler poster, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Dabbler poster

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Fish

Fish

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Dabblers

Dabblers

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