The Big Thicket

The Big Thicket is a cool place in southeast Texas. It is basically a swamp-wilderness area home to a very diverse assortment of plants and animals. I went there last fall with my good friend Kerri to help her wrap up her thesis data collection. The swamp is dominated by the Bald Cypress tree (Taxodium distichum).

They create advantagous roots which grow towards the surface to get air for root tissue respiration during floods. The tree is a conifer, but sheds it's leaves every fall. Strange no?
I can't wait to for a reason to get back.