Everglades

When Chris & I drove from the Gulf Coast of Florida to Miami we took the scenic route (as usual), mostly because it goes through the middle of the Everglades. Weather that day was overcast, chilly, windy and showery. The famous (and infamous) critters that we were hoping to see were obviously at home snuggled down with a good book. The only alligator we saw was alongside the road having clearly gotten the bad end of some large motor vehicle. He (she?) appeared to be in three ugly pieces.

Heron (unknown variety)

While the gators were absent, the birds were out in force. Everywhere we looked were birds perched on branches high and low, standing or creeping through the water hunting for lunch or soaring overhead. Trying to identify them was challenging at best, mostly because we were speeding down the road at 60mph. This, of course, also hindered the photographer.

Once we were settled in Miami we decided to return to the Everglades Information Center for some more leisurely observation. The first sunny day and we were off.  

Wonder what the fence is for?

The first alligator I saw looked like half of an old tire laying in the grass. I didn’t want to get my hopes up so that was the assumption I made…it was a tire. Then I saw another, and another and then a really big one. Before I knew it they were everywhere. I don’t know what color I had expected but it wasn’t black, which is what they are.

As we turned into the Information Center I saw 3 or 4 gators in the grass next to the road and intended to walk back for a picture once the car was parked. Not necessary! A very nice boardwalk in front of the Info Center provides a perfect view of many, many alligators just beneath your feet. The park ranger said they don’t feed them or encourage them in any way but they seem to like to congregate there and warm themselves on the rocks.

While the alligators are the real stars of the Everglades show, the birds are pretty spectacular as well.

Sunbathing with friends

The Anhinga looks to be a close relative of Cormorants and they are everywhere. The Everglades is home to numerous varieties of Egret and Ibis as well as Herons, Wood Storks, Vultures and numerous birds of prey. Everywhere you look there are birds roosting, wading or soaring overhead.

Anhinga

The Everglades is most definitely swamp so there are plenty of slithery critters around which made me more than hesitant to traipse along trails through tall grass…and we didn’t. One especially unwelcome reptile that now lives here is the Burmese Python. Unfortunately, a number of idiotic “pet” snake owners let their pythons loose in the Everglades – presumably when they could no longer procure large enough game to feed them. This area is a perfect environment for the big reptiles and they have reproduced rapidly and are now causing widespread devastation. Just before we arrived, the “great Python Hunt” took place and a grand total of 68 snakes were caught. Pretty sad since the estimated number on the loose is 150,000! All but three of the largest ones were killed. The three biggies were fitted with two tracking devices each and released in hopes that they would lead the Wildlife officials to the females before they reproduce. It is currently the breeding season. The saddest part of this story is that they are killing off the indigenous species…including alligators…many of whom are endangered. As if they don’t have enough challenges already. Note: Just "in case", if we ever see one of the pythons we are supposed to call 1-800-IVE-GOT1. I have the number memorized!

Any ideas what kind of bird this is?

In addition to birds and the aforementioned reptiles, a couple other rare animals live in this National Park. One is the American Crocodile. I don’t think we saw any of those but they bear a close resemblance to the alligators so who knows. Apparently there aren’t many of them in America and they are on the endangered list. The other is the Everglades Panther. These beautiful animals are related to, and aside from a few small differences, look very much like the Cougars we have in the NW. There are less than 100 left in the Everglades so they are critically endangered and, thus, the chance of getting a glimpse of one is pretty slim. The only one we saw was stuffed and on display in the Information Center.

Butterfly

I have to say, the Everglades doesn’t exactly look like what we envisioned. The terrain is mostly swamp grass and stumpy trees (Cypress) sitting in lots and lots of water. There are also a very different type of Pine from the ones in the NW and, of course, Palms of all shapes and types. Most trees are decorated with several bird nests and Spanish Moss drips from their limbs.

Clearly development is having a huge impact. Many of the neighborhoods in Miami back right up to border of this unique park and canals have been dredged throughout. Judging from the amount of bone dry land and dead trees in certain areas, it is having a very bad effect on the environment.

The Everglades is truly a unique and otherworldly place and it was exciting to have the chance to see it but I sure wouldn’t want to be stranded there!