It's not a bird that's caught our attention, and it's certainly not a plane. No, it's an orchid growing high in Corkscrew's canopy! Probably a Florida butterfly orchid. The combination of all the water within Corkscrew Swamp and it's lush canopy provides the perfect temperatures and humidity — essentially a micro climate — for orchids and other air plants to thrive here, among them the famous ghost orchid. The Institute for Regional Conservation lists more than 30 species of orchids dwelling within the bounds of Corkscrew, including some that are rare or endangered. While many orchid species are adapted to life clinging to tree bark and branches, others are "terrestrial," meaning they grow on the ground. You'll have to look on the ground for them. One more note before we go: You see resurrection fern growing on the branch along with the orchid, and on the branch above a bromeliad.
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