The Lettuce Lakes along the boardwalk trail are in the bald cypress forest, but when water levels are too deep, no trees can grow. These deep, treeless channels within a swamp are called sloughs (pronounced slews).

The deeper water and open skies attract a variety of wildlife, especially during the spring when shallower ponds elsewhere may begin to dry up.

Although they are lakes, the water surface is often covered with a mat of floating vegetation, primarily water lettuce and frog's bit, which provides shelter for crustaceans, fish, small reptiles, amphibians, and insects. These in turn are prey for the larger animals, notably alligators and wading birds. The floating plants are themselves food for turtles and a variety of insects.

Open benches and benches under rain shelters allow visitors to sit and enjoy the continually changing show.

Lettuce Lakes

Purple Gallinule Red-bellied Turtles Alligator

Northern Parula Warbler Little Blue Heron Marsh Rabbit

Pickerelweed Clamshell orchid

Black-crowned Night Heron Tiger Swallowtail   Finish your stroll along the boardwalk at the Blair Audubon Center by clicking the arrow.

Tour intro | Pine Flatwood | Wet Prairie | Pond Cypress | Bald Cypress Forest | Central Marsh | Lettuce Lakes | Blair Center