2.12.16 - 2.16.16 - Everglades - Part 2 - Wildlife

We saw so much wildlife in the Everglades ... Thanks for letting us share our trip with you !

Anhinga

Also called snake bird, darter and water turkey.  They migrate towards the equator in winter with a range determined by temperature and sunlight.  They are about 35” long, with a 4’ wing span.  They dive and search for underwater fish and amphibians.  They do not have waterproof feathers and are barely boyant.  They spend a lot of tome drying their feathers.  We found them a little tricky to find because they blend in with the gray winter foliage so well. 

Black Skimmers

These are tern-like bird, about 20 inches long.  The feed in large flocks, skimming the water surface eating fish insects and shellfish.  They spend a lot of time relaxing in large groups on the beach.  Although we didn’t see it, they actually lie down to rest.  They were fun to watch.  They’ll all be swooping around, almost in unison, then one or two sit down,  and they all come in in close formation, making a solid patch on the ground.  Then, they all take off again flying in an apparent chaotic, and tight cloud of birds.  There was a repeating sequence to their fly/fish/rest/fly pattern.

Great blue heron

A great wading bird, 36-54 inches tall, wing span up to 80”, they only weigh 5 pounds !  They are found all over north America.  The primary food is small fish, which they swallow whole.  They breed in colonies with over 100 nests in a colony.  The nests are re-used in subsequent years.   We have them at home, but never get as good pictures as in the Everglades.  They are so elegant. 

Great white egret 

3 feet tall, wade in shallow water eating fish, frogs small animals, reptiles and insects.  We watched this egret catch a lizard.  In the late 1890’s, egrets were hunted nearly to extinction for their plumage used in making high fashion hats.  It is said that that in those years, an ounce of egret feathers was more valuable than an ounce of gold. 

Ibis 

They have long down-curved bills to eat insects in grass and mud and crayfish in shallow water.    They are monogamous with both parents caring for the young while nesting in trees.

Alligators and Crocodiles

We saw both alligators and crocodiles.  Their heads and teeth are shaped differently; alligators like fresh water and crocs prefer salt and brackish water.  They look so prehistoric, and lay in the sun, looking like rubber stuffed animals.  They sunbathe across warm foot and bike paths, requiring a ‘wide swing’ when encountered.  Then, without apparent provocation, they blast into the water, and slink along, barely subsurface, apparently without effort.  We saw dozens of them.  The longest alligator ever recorded was 19’ long.  They can weigh up to 800 pounds and live 50 years in the wild (75 years in captivity).  Females build large nests of mud and plant matter which heats up as it decomposes.  The sex of the hatched babies depends on the temperature within the nest. 

Crocodiles

Are less tolerant of cold than alligators, so they are only found in southern Florida, preferring saltwater and mangrove habitats.   They can grow to 20’ long, and weigh up to 1000 pounds.  The American croc is a threatened species with fewer than 2000 living in south florida. 

We saw white pelicans all huddled up on a low tide sand bar following a prior evening storm.

Dolphins LOVE following in the wake of our boat.  They will follow the boat all the way out to the Golf of Mexico if given the opportunity.

Other sightings:

Needle Fish

"jewels" of the forest - white snails attached to tree trunks in thick foliage

Brown Pelican

Next Post:  Key Largo