"" Writer's Wanderings: Return to the Everglades

Monday, February 28, 2011

Return to the Everglades

We had such a great day at the Everglades on our first visit this month, that we decided to return again and devote a little more time to exploring and watching the wildlife. They didn't disappoint us. We watched herons and egrets fishing and anhingas bobbing up and diving down in the water.

The anhingas are unusual in that their body doesn't really float above the water like a duck or swan but rather just below the surface. This is because they have underdeveloped oil glands. As they swim, with their long next and head above the water, they almost look like a water snake. When they get out of the water, they spread their wings to dry off and warm their bodies in the Florida sun.

We observed several herons and egrets as they fished. These characters have amazing concentration. Once their eye is on their prey, they don't move a muscle. If they have to move their body, the head stays motionless and never changes position as the body moves to best position itself for the catch.

In the video below, there is a wood stork watching the egret fish and when the catch is made, the stork decides might makes right and trys to snatch the fish. The egret manages to evade him and flies off to enjoy his lunch.

The alligators weren't as entertaining on this day but it seemed like there were a lot more out on dry land sunning themselves. When they're doing that, they don't even blink.

If you are looking for some great entertainment, and it's not mosquito season, the Everglades is a great place to be. For $10 you can get a pass that lets you and your family in for a week. $25 gets you a year's pass and if you're a senior (65+) you can get a lifetime pass for $10! This retirement thing is not half bad sometimes.

[Video to come. . .For some reason Blogger is not letting me upload, even from YouTube. Meanwhile, you can access it here at YouTube: The Everglades Birds.]

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