Trek to the Sunshine State: Everglades
When our trip to Machu Picchu was canceled due to the torrential rains and the ensuing destruction of the railroad to Aguas Calientes, Alexander and I were left itching to go somewhere WARM.
Ever the history buff, Alexander wanted to see St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied city in the US, established in 1565. I was leaning more toward something like Disney World, so Orlando, Florida fit the bill perfectly. This is a good time for travel bargains. Traveling in the off-peak season is a benefit of being retired and we packed a lot into two weeks. Ironically, we did not encounter the warm weather we craved, but we did have fun. It was a great impromptu trip.
Our first weekend took us to the Everglades. An air boat ride provided excellent viewing, especially birds and alligators. The swampy Everglades are loaded with interesting flora and fauna, and happily, the cold weather meant NO MOSQUITOES.
Trees in the Everglades are abundantly draped with Spanish moss, an air plant (epiphyte), which means it does not use its host plant for food. It has no roots but attaches to the host using stems. The stems hang down from the host tree branches and collect moisture and nutrients from the air.
Lush Spanish moss was used to stuff pillows and mattresses in the "olden days." It has a soft, spongy texture.
Beware of lurking alligators, not always easy to spot in the murky waters...
Bird-watching was greatly entertaining! Here is a Purple Gallinule (aka swamp chicken)...
... and a Great Egret on her nest. These egrets nest above alligator sanctuaries (aka gator holes) to keep predators from reaching their nests.
Any babies that fall out of the nest become alligator food, but the adults were often seen cautiously venturing close to the 'gators.
Whee.... "Look, ma, I can surf!"
An alert Great Blue Heron...
... beautiful!
Here a sweet-faced female Boat-tailed Grackle checks us out. The males are black.
A Black-crowned Night Heron...
...and a Snowy Egret getting feisty with another egret...
These homely Black Vultures have an important role in the ecosystem.
They are the "clean-up crew" just waiting for the next opportunity.
These turtles basking in the sun where as still as statues.
Our air boat was similar to this one, seen moving away from the dock. The noise made ear plugs necessary, but our guide stopped frequently for better viewing and much-appreciated quiet.
More on Florida to follow... see upcoming post.
~ Lisa
Ever the history buff, Alexander wanted to see St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied city in the US, established in 1565. I was leaning more toward something like Disney World, so Orlando, Florida fit the bill perfectly. This is a good time for travel bargains. Traveling in the off-peak season is a benefit of being retired and we packed a lot into two weeks. Ironically, we did not encounter the warm weather we craved, but we did have fun. It was a great impromptu trip.
Our first weekend took us to the Everglades. An air boat ride provided excellent viewing, especially birds and alligators. The swampy Everglades are loaded with interesting flora and fauna, and happily, the cold weather meant NO MOSQUITOES.
Trees in the Everglades are abundantly draped with Spanish moss, an air plant (epiphyte), which means it does not use its host plant for food. It has no roots but attaches to the host using stems. The stems hang down from the host tree branches and collect moisture and nutrients from the air.
Beware of lurking alligators, not always easy to spot in the murky waters...
Bird-watching was greatly entertaining! Here is a Purple Gallinule (aka swamp chicken)...
... and a Great Egret on her nest. These egrets nest above alligator sanctuaries (aka gator holes) to keep predators from reaching their nests.
Any babies that fall out of the nest become alligator food, but the adults were often seen cautiously venturing close to the 'gators.
An alert Great Blue Heron...
... beautiful!
A Black-crowned Night Heron...
...and a Snowy Egret getting feisty with another egret...
These homely Black Vultures have an important role in the ecosystem.
They are the "clean-up crew" just waiting for the next opportunity.
These turtles basking in the sun where as still as statues.
~ Lisa
Your photos are stunning and I love the humor. I don't know if I'd be alligator surfing if I were a bird.
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