This is one several "tree islands" at Chapel Trail Nature Preserve in Pembroke Pines. These places provide a relatively safe haven for birds to perch, like the anhinga seen in the photograph above, and even nest. The water and what's living in the water — alligators — keep predators at bay. These islands provide a dry spot for plants you wouldn't normally expect to see in a wetland, like Walter's groundcherry and pineland heliotrope, photographs of which are in the gallery near the bottom of the main page. In other words, they play key roles in this wetland habitat. We're uncertain of the species of tree in the photo, but surrounding plants include sawgrass, spatterdock and knotted spikerush.
