Tickseed in bloom at Myakka River State Park

The Myakka River is one of three rivers in Florida with the “wild and scenic” designation.  Myakka River State Park, just a few miles east of Sarasota, boasts 12 miles of the river within its borders.

Florida’s state flower, tickseed, or Coreopsis leavenworthii, is in bloom now, putting on an impressive display at Big Flats Marsh. The annual wildflower show will last just a few more weeks.

Park rangers say May and June are good months to see baby animals at the park. Visitors who slow down and look carefully along the roadway, shouldn’t have a difficult time seeing Osceola turkey hens as they lead their chicks through the tickseed, foraging for seeds and insects.  White-tailed deer, followed closely by their fawns, walk through low-growing vegetation and along edges, such as where a meadow meets a tree line.

And of course, you can see American alligators at the park. Popular spots to see them are the bridges over the Myakka River and near the site of the old dam, where the river flows out of Upper Myakka Lake.