Ralph & Linda's Travels: #75 Mar 2015 Florida Everglades National Park

The word Everglades conjures images of mysterious creeks with overhanging mangroves, prehistoric alligators and unfamiliar birds darting to and fro. We saw all of that and learned so much more about the nature of the Everglades.

After much discussion with each other and referring to National Geographic on the Internet we think we have sorted out alligators and crocodiles. American alligators thrive throughout Florida. A remnant population of crocodiles lives in southern Florida in the Everglades. We saw both but it was often difficult to determine which we were seeing as they drifted silently through murky water.

Crocodiles have longer, thinner snouts and are lighter in colour. They live in salt water but tolerate some fresh water, which is why both species exist where the Everglades drain into Florida Bay.

American alligators have a rounder snout and darker colour. They reside in freshwater rivers, lakes, marshes and even swimming pools.

The everglades are fed from Lake Okeechobee in Central Florida. Historically fresh water slowly drained south and nourished an incredible diversity of plants, animals, fish, birds and humans. Over the last century humans have rerouted the water into a massive plumbing system for agricultural, commercial and household use. The Everglades were shrinking dramatically and much of the life within was facing extinction.

After many years of pressure from nature lovers, conservationists and scientists Everglades National Park was created in 1947. Since then many species have revitalized but there is so much more work to be done. The big question is “How to balance the needs of nature and humans in such a delicate eco system?” It is not a new question and is asked around the world. Only time will reveal how well the humans (who are in control) respect the future.

This map shows the water flow through the Everglades into Florida Bay. The pen points to the edge of the Everglades where we saw a crocodile.

We explored trails and information signs and began to understand the topography of the Everglades. It appears flat but the area is so fertile that a few inches increase in altitude provides a new environment.

From Everglades Prairie

To stunted Bald Cypress in shallow water with thin soil

To lush stands of trees in deeper pools with rich accumulations of peat.

For decades we have had an Audubon Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. As we travelled east I finally realized that my go-to book was not giving me the expected information. We were now in Eastern North America. I was delighted to find the Eastern version of the same book. Now I can often identify the birds I capture with my camera.

When we were in Louisiana I saw robins and red wing blackbirds in their winter habitat. In Texas we saw sandhill cranes. Now in southern Florida there were many new feathered friends.

These turkey vultures looked like chickens scratching around but there must have been something more interesting.

These osprey parents were guarding two chicks.

I have often seen Great Blue Herons on King George Boulevard near 40th Avenue but I was always driving and didn’t have the camera with me. Now I have my camera with me more than my purse. This fellow was patiently waiting for supper and for me to take his picture.

Anhingas, like cormorants, lack oil glands with which to preen. They must perch with their wings half open to dry them in the sun. They look odd just standing with their wings out stretched.

We were told that we could likely find Roseate Spoonbills at Eco Pond in the early morning. We were back in the park another day by 8 AM and were rewarded with a multitude of birds (and humans watching them).