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A Florida wild turkey keeps a watchful eye on its surroundings as it ventures out onto Big Flats Marsh to feed on Thursay evening at Myakka River State Park. [Herald-Tribune staff photo / Mike Lang]
Yellow tickseed blooms cover Big Flats Marsh on Thursday evening at Myakka River State Park. Other signs of spring such as prairie iris and purple thistle can also be found blooming around the park. Myakka River State Park is open daily from 8am to sunset. [Herald-Tribune staff photo / Mike Lang]
A honey bee moves to the next flower in seach of pollen. among the yellow tickseed blooms covering the Big Flats Marsh at Myakka River State Park. The park is open daily from 8am to sunset. [Herald-Tribune staff photo / Mike Lang]
Spring at Myakka River State Park
Whitetail deer cautiously feed on grass along the edge of Big Flats Marsh in Myakka River State Park on Thursday evening. [Herald-Tribune staff photo / Mike Lang]
A spicebush swallowtail butterfly pauses on a yellow tickseed bloom on the Big Flats Marsh at Myakka River State Park . [Herald-Tribune staff photo / Mike Lang]
Purple thistle are blooming along roadsides and along edges of the prairie at Myakka River State Park. [Herald-Tribune staff photo / Mike Lang]
A large american alligator patrols the water beneath the bridge at Myakka River State Park. [Herald-Tribune staff photo / Mike Lang]
