Birds of Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress, FL (72 degrees, clear blue skies)

Great Egret

 

There is more to Big Cypress National Preserve and the Everglades National Park than alligators.  Although alligators are probably the most popular residents there is so much more. Animals, birds, butterflys, reptiles, and yes no seen ums are abundant. We love birds and snapped these pictures with JC and Bev during our week stay. 

 

Snowy Egret

 

 

 

We had lots of fun identifying them (let us know if we mis-identified any of them). Some of the best bird watching is seen while driving along the Loop Road, Turner River, Upper Wagonwheel and Birdon Road loop drives.  We took our jeep on these gravel roads but a 4 wheel drive isn't necessary but count on getting your vehicle dusty.  Be sure to stop often and just listen and watch.  The visitor center will give you an excellent brochure for each of these road trips.

 

 

Tri-Color Heron

 

 

Bev had a cool app on her phone that mimicked some of the bird calls which also helped identify some of the birds. 

 

 

Anihinga

  

A good set of binoculars is essential. Bev and I used a point and shot Panasonic Lumix camera. The photos turned out pretty good for a very reasonable and easy to use camera.




Little Blue Heron

 

Red Shouldered Hawk

 

 

Red Shouldered Hawk

 

 

Brown Pelican

 

 

 

Wood Storks and Ibis

 

 

Tri-Color Heron





Wood Storks

 

 

Great Egrets (bllack and white photo)



Anihinga drying his feathers

 

 

Purple Gallinule (rare)

 

 

Ibis

 

 

Glossy Ibis

Great Egret

 

 

Hitchhiking Brown Pelican (air boat tour)

 



John and the "Iron Heron"

 



 

Stop back tomorrow for our visit to Shark Valley.   Happy bird watching!



Sense of Adventure Required–Turner River Canoe Trip

 

Big Cypress National Preserve, FL (76 degrees, blue skies)



JC helping to unload the canoes

 

 

Heart of the Swamp Canoe Trips – 10:00 am (4–5 hours). We’ll provide canoes and equipment, or bring your own. Come prepared with water, lunch, binoculars, sun protection, insect repellent and a sense of adventure. Trips vary by weather, water level, tide and ranger’s choice of location and duration. Knowing canoeing basics is helpful. Reservations required

Can you see the alligator?

About a week prior to our arrival at Big Cypress we checked out the ranger led tours available on the website and reserved this canoe trip. We certainly have a sense of adventure but not enough to go canoeing in the alligator infested swamps by ourselves.  Having a ranger along sounded like a really good idea. 

 

One BIG gator

 

 

Good idea…look closely at  the picture  above…there is one BIG alligator lurking in the foliage. This is where our group of canoes gathered to start on the adventure.  With that being said our ranger assured us the alligators would not bother us as long as we did not get too close or interfere with any of their babies. Can do! Now let's get going!!!

 

Ranger telling us about the river

After a few minutes my nerves settled down and this trip turned out to be one of the best paddling trips I’ve experienced.  We had a nice group of fairly experienced paddlers and everyone quietly observed the splendor all around us.  

 

Looking at the osprey nest

Osprey nest



Our very enthusiast ranger. 

The highlight was canoeing through two long mangrove tunnels.  We had to duck and slowly weave our way through the maze. It was so beautiful deep inside the mangroves.  The pictures only really give you a glimpse.

 

Entering the mangrove tunnel





 



 

 

 



 

 

Look closely at all the air plants (or bromeliads) hanging above us.  The roots of these plants attach themselves to the mangrove but do not harm it in anyway. They collect water, insects, and other nutrients in the center of the plant. It was so beautiful and a wonder to behold. 

 



After we passed through the two tunnels we were suddenly out in the prairie grasses. We stopped at a bank for lunch and to stretch our legs. 

Many of these photographs were taken by my friend Bev. She seemed to be better at shooting pictures and ducking the mangrove branches.  Here she is with JC kicking back after a great trip. 

 

 

JC and my BFF Bev

It was an amazing day and oh did I mention the five hour canoe trip was free including our canoes, gear, and two ranger guides. Thank you so much for sharing your back yard with us.  Be sure to check out the ranger tours when visiting a National Park. 

Welcome To Alligator Country–Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve (72 degrees, blue skies)



Midway Campground

Our friends Bev and JC encouraged us to visit Big Cypress National Preserve and we are sure glad they did.  It’s a fascinating place located in the Everglades.  There are two campground in the Preserve and we were very lucky to find sites available at Midway Campground with 50 amp service with water and sewer nearby. You can only stay for tent days per year regardless of campground.  For $10 a night with an access/senior pass it’s a tremendous bargain and a beautiful campground.

 

 

Delicious dinner with the Webbers

Our friends arrived two days earlier while we were in Naples.  Bev cooked us a  delicious enchilada welcome back dinner.  Good friends, yummy food, and a great campsite.  What more does a person need. 

 

 

 

The campground surrounds a pond and we camped for the first time with an alligator.  He turns out to be a very small compared to what we soon would see at the Oasis Visitor Center. 

 

 

 

 

Does it appear to you that the alligator below is smiling?  Or maybe he’s having a “nice” dream. 

 

 

The Oasis Visitor Center has a long boardwalk to view the huge alligators.  We spent a couple of hours  just watching all the action. 

The bubbling picture below is of a walking catfish.  I’m from Indiana and the catfish there sure don’t walk but these catfish can cross the road on their fins.  They make quite a splash and commotion.  Before long the alligators became very interested in them as they awakened their long afternoon nap. 

Bev filmed an amazing video of what happened next.  It was quite a sight and shocked those of us who happened to witness it. 

Besides the alligators there were lots of other wildlife hanging out. Be sure to linger awhile when you visit.  The best time to visit is towards evening when  the alligators become more active. 

 



Great Blue Heron
 



Anhinga

 

 

A Great Visit With Our Workamping Friends in Naples Florida

Naples, FL (82 degrees, slightly humid, blue skies

(I'm behind in writing our posts.  This actually occured January 28-30)

Thomas and Fidencia

From May to October last year we worked with Fidencia and Thomas at Watkins Glen KOA. They became great friends and in the winter workamp at the beautiful Naples/Marco Island  KOA.  They invited us to stay at the campground and Fidencia planned a fun whirlwind tour for our two night stay. 

 

Their pretty site at Naples/Marco Island KOA

This is their second season workamping here.  Fidencia arranges all the entertainment and fun activities for the winter residents and Thomas works in the maintenance department. They have a beautiful full hook up site that Thomas has landscaped and improved considerably.  He even has lights going up the three palm trees at their site.

 

Launch site at campground

 

 

A canoe/kayak launch is available  and many of the residents love to paddle. There is a local guide who comes every Wednesday who organized paddles all around the area.  We liked the campground very much due to it being in a very tropical setting and near Rookery Bay Reserve.

 

 

Volunteer guide

 

We visited the Learning Center and a volunteer took us on a very interesting trail. Although he admits to be an engineer by trade our guide was very knowledgeable and told us so much about the plants and trees in this area.

 

Hiking Trail

 

This center is a “must see” (admission $5/person) and we have appreciated Florida more since learning  about the tropical plants of this area. I also picked up the  National Audubon Field Guide to Florida that our guide recommended. It’s very helpful and has lots of pictures to help you identify plants, birds, and much more. 



Python skin

A hunt for the pythons in Florida is underway. It is believed irresponsible owners of pythons have released their pets out into the wild when they are no longer able to handle or afford to feed them. The tropical environment has enabled them to multiple and it’s become a real problem to the animals and birds they are devouring. Thousands of pythons are thought to be in the Everglades and they are very hard to find.  A prize is being offered by Fish and Wildlife for the hunter who finds the most and another for the largest.  So far, after one month and hundreds of hunters only 30 have been found.  The skin in the above picture is of one about 14 feet long and was tanned by a volunteer. 

 

 

 

 

Naples is a pretty town with a very active retired community.  Fidenica found out about a few happy hour and early dinner specials which made our visit more affordable and lots of fun. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had fun window shopping and checking out some very expensive and unique stores.  All of which were mostly out of our price range but fun to explore. 

 

 

 

One evening we had lots of fun taking a water taxi to our restaurant.  For $5 per person it a great deal.  It makes nine stops on the route. and you can hop on and off.  We saw some beautiful condominiums, homes, and huge boats on the route.  Afterwards we went to a local park to hear a live jazz band play.  It was a very enjoyable evening.

 

Water Taxi

 

 

 

It was great to spend time with our friends.  They are returning as workampers for another season at Watkins Glen KOA this spring.  We hope our paths cross again soon.