Even in the park, where there may be 10 or fewer individuals, the turtle is extremely rare.
Hikers occasionally spot the turtles basking on a log in the park s freshwater swamp ponds.
Along the trail, look for wading birds such as green herons, snowy egrets, and great blue herons as they stalk fish, crayfish, and frogs at the swamp s edge. The eyes of many frogs protrude above their heads, allowing them to watch for insects with nothing but their eyes and nostrils above water. Or frogs may sit motionless on a lily pad for long periods of time, striking with amazing swiftness when an insect wanders within range. The trail may be cut in half by making a right turn on the intersecting road at the halfway point and returning to the visitor center. The park has an excellent brochure that interprets sites along the trail.