Exploring
Southwest Florida – Wednesday, February 15, 20017
What's a trip to Southwest Florida
without a jaunt down to the Everglades area? This area is
fascinating from the vast sea of sawgrass waving in the wind, the
tall slash pines with their long needles beckoning a touch, to the
tangled mazes of mangrove roots standing steadfast against the
onslaught of the Gulf's waves. Of course, one is also always on the
watch to catch a glimpse of some of the many unique birds and
critters that make this their home.
We headed to Everglades City with Al
and Diane where Captain Jack's airboats awaited to take us through
the dense mangroves via many narrow waterways. Oh, what a thrill.
We were greeted by herons, Ibis, an alligator and the cutest baby
raccoon (I know, they're pests and very destructive, but you have to
admit that bandit face is cute!). Captain Ben parked the airboat
right next to the mangroves and started to call them, and out came
four raccoon looking for attention and hoping for something to eat!
It was adorable.
The mangroves are interesting because
they grow in both fresh and salt water, and much of the root system
looks like a tangled mess above the surface of the water. They are
found all along the coastlines of this area, crucial in preventing
soil erosion from the movement of water. They also serve as a coastal
fishery, a food source for birds and fish and as a purifier by
absorbing impurities.
Riding along shallow waterways
tunneling through the groves was a unique experience of recognizing
the complexity as well as the beauty of nature. And then the LOUD
airboat was on a straight away, going faster and faster with the wind
blowing against our bodies .. it was freeing; it was exhilarating; it
was a bit wet … but we didn't care! This was something I had
wanted to do for a long time, and it didn't disappoint!!
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| White Pelicans |
Next we drove to the end of CR 29 to
the Island of Chokoloskee. which has quite a history, including that
of bad guys in this “Wild West” area in the olden days! The view
from the road and the end of the island was that of some of the Ten
Thousand Islands mostly made up of mangroves and a sand bar with
hundreds of white pelicans crowded together.
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| Juvenile Anhinga |
After a delicious lunch at Island Cafe
in Everglades City, we motored eastward to the Animal Sanctuary along
Tamiami Trail. This place housed hundreds of crocodiles and
alligators, some turtles, a Florida panther, a couple lions and a
couple tigers.
But we were more excited with seeing the alligators,
juvenile and female Anhingas, a double-crested cormorant and a Tri-colored heron in the wild at the HP Williams Roadside Park.! How
Blessed we are to be able to enjoy both very good friends and God's
beautiful creations.
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| Tri-Colored Heron |
