I took a short ride through Charles Bronson State Forest to capture some aerial video around Heifer Mound and Saddle Mound. These are two of the largest native American shell middens in the immediate area of the state forest (that I’ve seen), and this spot offers some great views of the St. Johns River
Saddle Mound
Parking for this trailhead is at the Chuluota Wilderness area about two tenths of a mile west of the entrance to the state forest. From here it is a short ride to the windmill – overall it is almost exactly four miles out to the river.
 Park Entrance |
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There are a a lot of these prehistoric sites throughout Florida, and many along the St. Johns River. For the most part, they are easy to miss, but some of them really stand out. Heifer Mound is a well known spot by boaters (especially air boats) as a spot to park and enjoy the views. There is a flag pole on the center of the mound that sometimes has a flag, but I learned that the flag is frequently taken by vandals.
Airboats on Heifer Mound
I learned that Heifer Mound is known locally as bullshit mound. I don’t know if it is because people meet here to sit and talk, or (more likely) because cows from a local ranch have been known to hang out here since it offers dry ground when the flood plane is underwater.
 Charles Bronson SF |
 St. Johns River |
 Alligator Sunning |
There used to be a lot of cattle in this portion of the forest, but I there is no sign of them now. I found out that the rancher no longer has a lease with the state to let his cattle graze here. The video that I captured while I was here came out pretty good. I managed to capture some boats out on the river and also the airboats coming out of the river up onto the mound.
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