The Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 to establish a habitat for migrating and wintering birds. There is roughly 21,574 acres of freshwater marshes, 5,800 acres of cypress and hardwood swamps, 2,400 acres of uplands, more then 1000 acres of lakes, streams and canals. There is roughly 215 bird species that have been counted in the area. There is also over 50 miles of gator filled canals in the area so yes call us crazy if you will.  There is also black bears, Indigo Snakes, Snail Kites, Wood Storks, and many other animal species. It really is an area practically untouched by man.

However this is not entirely true either since Tick Island which is also in the refuge is said to be one of the most significant sites in Florida hence why I chose to investigate and hike at night here. There is a mound in the area that was inhabited 4,000 B.C. and some of the earliest pottery found in North America discovered at this refuge discovered here. There was also a charnel house where the bodies were places when they died. The tribe members would protect and care for the dead but it was also used to keep away the animals. 

The Indian mound has long since been destroyed over 30 years ago to make road fill in the area. They named tick island this because its full of ticks which can cause lime disease. So in simple terms we fought off tickets, giant spiders, gators and mosquitoes. That is the type of area it is. But thoughts of Timucuan spirits watching us as we travel down the refuge's dirt trails stayed fresh in our mind just as the eerie sound of a train runs past this secluded place. 

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Rick-LordOfThyNight

Above you will find a painting of the Lake Woodruff area. What  you see in the painting is a bench which we took a break at. Their also is a canal which goes into the nearby lake. Many gators are in the canals sitting on the shores some which we were able to get fairly close too. Then if you look across the canal you will see a dirt road which leads threw the prairies and eventually the Ocala Forest which surrounds this area just to give you an idea of how it would be to hike accept picture it during the night here!