The Florida Everglades!

The Everglades, a bird-watcher's paradise!

Osprey
Purple Gallinule
Great Blue Heron
Roseate Spoonbill
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
White Ibis
Reddish Egret

I have never paid much attention to birds, until now. The Everglades have quite an abundant selection well beyond the occasional sparrow or finch. Each bird listed we saw more than once, sometimes from a distance, others within a few feet. And let's not forget about the great American Alligator.

We entered the Glades from the southeastern most point, selecting this entry point because it also contained three campgrounds on a first-come, first-serve basis. We stayed at two, the first being available for the first of three nights. We were expecting something altogether different than what we experienced. Pictures and TV shows indicate a wealth of animals and plenty of swampland, and there was some. Yes, we were in the dry winter season, but it was an unusually dry season this year, causing a congregation of animals around waterholes, which meant less areas to view the wildlife. Also, we were surprised by the lack of trails for the kind of touristing that we do. If you were an adventuring, outdoors, rugged type who liked to canoe into the wilderness and camp out with the snakes and alligators, this would be your spot!

We are more sedentary than that; more "citified" trailer types. We are glad we visited the Park and we enjoyed the tours with the rangers, but it probably is not high on our revisit list for the near future, unless I take up boating or "slogging." On our last day, dad and I went out for a hike to Bear Lake, perhaps not as well planned as it should have been. The trail was a lot longer than the map indicated, perhaps around four miles total round trip. Dad got tired after three miles, he refused to grab a log to sit on and ended up catching his foot on the trail resulting in a crash and burn. I then, after further thought, felt badly that I proposed such a trip with him. He is mending now and we are glad that he did not break anything other than thin elbow skin and a bit of pride. The pride mended fast enough since he did not even remember how hurt his arm by the end of the day. He is a dutiful patient allowing regular change of dressing with minimum "pulled hair" complaints or wincing. Sorry dad.

Let me share with you some of my pictures.
The first road to the left when you enter the park brings you to a great viewing area. We visited the location twice.

Notice carefully. It is not a reed, but an Anhinga bird, fishing.

The bird fishes in the water, swimming as fast as a person customarily walks. When he is done, he comes out of the water, spreads his wing and let's the air dry them so he can fly again.

I really liked this bird, first thinking it to be a Purple Gallinule, but I was wrong. I am still exploring what this one is called, but I wanted to share it anyway. It's sleek, compact, and multi-colored.

Below, the Snowy Egret is a bit unusual compared to its cousins because its feathers.

I have more bird research to do. I don't know the name of this one either!
If it stood on two lily pads, it wouldn't sink; one pad, and down it went...

Great Blue Heron

I suppose I need to mention about the Turkey Vultures. It whole demeanor is unsettling, including it head and eyes. On occasion, they have been known to attack care and peck on the rubber around the windows and the windshield wipers. Many folk covered their cars while visiting.

I will continue the Everglades look next time, so watch out for the American Alligator and don't pull on just any tail!