Central Florida Birding Part 1: Where the Seminole Wind Still Blows — A Historical and Geographic Overview of Central Florida’s Birding Heartland
Driving the sandy, isolated roads to Blue Cypress Lakeside Cabins or down Joe Overstreet Road toward Lake Kissimmee, you’re immersed in a landscape that feels both timeless and deeply storied. This stretch of central Florida—spanning Blue Cypress Lake, Lake Kissimmee, the Stick Marsh, and the agricultural lands near Fellsmere—is a tapestry of wild wetlands, cattle pastures, citrus groves, and the echo of the Seminole wind.
Geography: Water, Wilderness, and Working Land
Blue Cypress Lake sits at the headwaters of the St. Johns River, surrounded by ancient cypress swamps and marshes. Its blue-tinged trees at sunrise are iconic, and the lake’s isolation is palpable as you approach via winding, rural roads.
Lake Kissimmee is a shallow, sprawling lake bordered by prairies, pine flatwoods, and islands, accessible via Joe Overstreet Road—a legendary birding route famed for open vistas, cattle, and the possibility of spotting rare species.
Stick Marsh/Farm 13 is a manmade reservoir near Fellsmere, transformed from marshland into a prime habitat for wading birds and a favorite for anglers.
Fellsmere and Indian River Citrus Country are marked by vast groves, cattle pastures, and a network of canals—remnants of ambitious early 20th-century drainage projects that reshaped the land for agriculture.
History: From Seminole Homeland to Ranchland
Seminole Roots and Resilience
Long before roads or ranches, this region was home to the Seminole people. Emerging in the 1700s from Creek bands who migrated south from Georgia and Alabama, the Seminoles sought refuge in Florida’s wild interior, away from colonial conflict and encroachment. The name “Seminole” itself means “wild people” or “runaway,” reflecting their independent spirit and desire for autonomy.
The Seminoles built a life intimately tied to the land and water. Lake Okeechobee and its connected waterways, just south of Blue Cypress and Kissimmee, were vital highways for hunting, fishing, and travel. The drainage of these wetlands in the early 20th century—intended to make way for farming and settlement—had a devastating impact on Seminole life, curtailing traditional hunting and gathering routes and altering the region’s ecology forever.
“The effects of drainage were immediate and disastrous to the lifestyle of the Florida Indians…Their hunting, gathering, and visiting patterns, their maritime skills, and the innumerable other folkways were soon curtailed, altered, or lost for all time.”
—Patsy West, The Enduring Seminoles
The Seminole Wind: Song, Symbol, and Struggle
John Anderson’s song “Seminole Wind” captures the spirit and sorrow of this transformation. The lyrics evoke the loss of land, culture, and natural beauty as the Everglades and surrounding wetlands were drained and developed. The song references war chief Osceola and the Seminole’s fierce resistance to removal, as well as the environmental cost of “progress”. Its refrain—“Blow, blow, Seminole wind, blow like you’re never gonna blow again”—is both a lament and a tribute to the enduring presence of the Seminole people and the wild Florida landscape they have long called home.
Cattle, Cowboys, and the Cracker Heritage
As the wetlands were drained and the land opened up, cattle ranching took root. The Florida scrub cattle—descendants of Spanish Andalusian stock brought in the 1500s—became the backbone of the state’s ranching industry. These hardy, small longhorns thrived on native forage and open range, managed by “cracker cowboys” whose whips echoed across the prairies.
By the 19th century, both Seminole and settler communities managed large herds, and cattle became central to Florida’s rural economy. The open range system persisted into the 20th century, with cow camps and roundups a common sight along roads like Joe Overstreet. Today, the Florida Cracker cattle are recognized as a heritage breed, a living link to the state’s pioneer and indigenous past.
A Landscape of Isolation and Abundance
Despite the march of development, this region remains remarkably wild and sparsely populated. The combination of wetlands, prairies, and working farms creates a haven for birds and wildlife—making it a magnet for birders, naturalists, and anyone seeking a sense of old Florida. The Seminole wind still blows here, carrying with it stories of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring beauty of Florida’s heartland.
Next in this series:
In Part 2, we’ll venture to the wild beauty of Blue Cypress Lake—home to ancient cypress forests and one of the largest congregations of nesting ospreys in North America. We’ll explore the lake’s tranquil waters, marvel at the 60+ osprey nests perched among the cypress, and discover why this hidden gem is a must-visit for birders and nature lovers alike.