Everglades NP

As we turned south towards Homestead we travelled through large market garden areas and Dude got several soakings from the movable irrigation systems watering everything in its path. 

A short time later we entered Everglades NP and drove out to Flamingo where we had a reservation in the Flamingo campground. It felt wonderful to be enjoying a balmy evening albeit along with the mozzies.

Riding our bikes to the Visitors Centre it felt like we were in a wildlife movie. Osprey flew so low over our head’s that we could see the fish they had in their talons. They had nests in dead trees along the trail and in towers above the Visitors Centre. In the canal we could see American Crocodiles sunning themselves and in the marina we watched Manatees. Everywhere we looked we could see egrets, ibis’s and many other birds. Even in our campground we got to see a Pileated Woodpecker pecking away at the dead palm tree next to our campsite…!!

Pileated Woodpecker

The rating for mozzies was low for this time of year but even so we didn’t get any sleep until John set up the mosquito net over our bed.

Up early the next day we rented a canoe and drove to the Nine Mile Pond canoe loop, which is actually 5.5 miles (9 km's). The car park was overtaken by black vultures and as John soon found out a large alligator sunning himself in the boat launch area…!!

Regular Friday get together....

We paddled across a large lake finding the first marker on the far side and following the trail through thick mangroves  it wasn’t long before we encountered our second alligator in the middle of the narrow channel where the water was very shallow, with no alternative we paddled straight over the top of him as he sank leaving an outline of tiny bubbles on the water’s surface.

I couldn’t believe we had just done that but I was assured these were not like Australian Croc’s. So we paddled on fearlessly following the markers through more narrow mangrove channels. A while later it opened out a bit and we saw turtles hiding in soft green algae along with lots of fish. 

Paddling with the alligators....

No elbow room here

At the turnaround point the trail opened out into vast open spaces dotted with small islands of mangroves and palm trees with floating algae covering the water. Towards the end we entered into the mangroves again and saw more alligators in the water. 

Algae everywhere...looked like floating bread

Then paddling across two ponds at the end alligators were sunning themselves on the embankment. When I looked backed one of them had disappeared.....I gulped thinking was he going to come up underneath us. I found I couldn't paddle fast enough to reach the shore.

Relaxing or thinking about having a snack ?

Alligator ? where.....

Food, food gotta get some food...

American crocodiles chilling out in the sunshine

Marina and palm tree...I felt like I was in PNG

Grape tree

Osprey's at home

 

Gumbo Limbo tree

A narrow trail between the swamps

Mahogany Trees in our campground

Hawking around....

Before I had a chance to recover we were on the water again this time following 180 markers along the Hells Bay Canoe Trail to the Pearl Bay Chickee, a floating platform, for an overnight stay in the swamp. We paddled 3.5 miles (5.6 km’s) taking 2.5 hours winding through tight mangrove channels until it finally opened out into larger bays.

Following the markers

Terrain starting to open out

What was I thinking, how am I going to sleep tonight with alligators circling below and mosquitoes buzzing above…..

Pearl Bay Chickee

We rested in our hammock sipping on our bug deterrent…a spiced rum, watching the sun set in golden hues that gave way to a beautiful starry night.

   

The next morning I awoke before dawn and lay in bed watching the sky fill with colour as the sun rose. 

Time to get up

A pod of dolphins entertained us as they herded fish into shallow water and crossed the bay blowing spume into the air. It was incredible to watch and we were so glad we got to see it all to ourselves.

Dolphins passing by....

Morning light

We survived a night of mozzies and alligators...

Time to go...

We had a strong headwind on the way back making paddling hard work and I was exhausted when we arrived back at Dude. 

Conscious of our next reservation in the Keys we headed to Long Pine Key Campground, near the Park entrance, for the night stopping at interesting Hammocks along the way where we saw Roseate Spoonbills and a Red Bellied Woodpecker.

Roseate Spoonbill

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Before leaving the Park we stopped at the Anhinga Trail and found it was teaming with alligators and birds….!!

...this is my Island

You sure it's yours

You don't scare me

Fun in the mud 

Is this my best side....

An alligator swims by Anhinga's
 hanging out in the trees

What will I do today..

Anhinga drying out