The Everglades

tilt's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:34:50 -0800

tilt

we're greeted by a Great Egret doing a little fishing

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:36:33 -0800

tilt
we're greeted by a Great Egret doing a little fishing

Now there's something you don't see every day... Florida Panther crossing.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:37:46 -0800

tilt
Now there's something you don't see every day... Florida Panther crossing.

not sure what this critter is... either an Anole of some kind or a Gecko? They were all over the place along the Gumbo Limbo trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:38:32 -0800

tilt
not sure what this critter is... either an Anole of some kind or a Gecko? They were all over the place along the Gumbo Limbo trail.

Florida Cricket Frog? This one was in a pool along the Gumbo Limbo trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:39:37 -0800

tilt
Florida Cricket Frog? This one was in a pool along the Gumbo Limbo trail.

a cool dragonfly posing for us

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:40:16 -0800

tilt
a cool dragonfly posing for us

An Anhinga at the start of Anhinga Trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:41:47 -0800

tilt
An Anhinga at the start of Anhinga Trail.

Double-crested Cormorant?

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:43:08 -0800

tilt
Double-crested Cormorant?

pretty water flower

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:43:46 -0800

tilt
pretty water flower

A big ol American Alligator. Florida's state reptile.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:44:27 -0800

tilt
A big ol American Alligator. Florida's state reptile.

a cozy bench in front of a cool tree

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:45:45 -0800

tilt
a cozy bench in front of a cool tree

The White Ibis. Very cool.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:46:41 -0800

tilt
The White Ibis. Very cool.

tilt's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:47:33 -0800

tilt

I think this is a Tricolored Heron. If you see this guy coming, pray that you aren't a fish.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:48:39 -0800

tilt
I think this is a Tricolored Heron. If you see this guy coming, pray that you aren't a fish.

These birds along the Anhinga Trail are so used to people that they don't even look at you when you walk by. They just look at the fish.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:49:13 -0800

tilt
These birds along the Anhinga Trail are so used to people that they don't even look at you when you walk by. They just look at the fish.

Look at that beak. Ouch!

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:49:58 -0800

tilt
Look at that beak. Ouch!

The Great Blue Heron. I think that this is the same species that is pictured on the welcome sign as you enter the park. Kind of the Everglades mascot. Look at how intent he is on his prey.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:50:59 -0800

tilt
The Great Blue Heron. I think that this is the same species that is pictured on the welcome sign as you enter the park. Kind of the Everglades mascot. Look at how intent he is on his prey.

This critter poked its head out of the woods to say hi as we walked by. It's called the Southern Black Racer. A beauty.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:52:17 -0800

tilt
This critter poked its head out of the woods to say hi as we walked by. It's called the Southern Black Racer. A beauty.

The Southern Black Racer can grow to 6 ft long, but this one was probably only 4 feet or so. Totally harmless and a very cool find. We only saw one other snake on our outing... but what anot ...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:53:38 -0800

tilt
The Southern Black Racer can grow to 6 ft long, but this one was probably only 4 feet or so. Totally harmless and a very cool find. We only saw one other snake on our outing... but what anot ...

This smallish alligator was guarding the Anhinga trail right were we wanted to go. All that swampy brush to the right is perfect alligator territory. Here I am trying to cross in front of th ...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:54:59 -0800

tilt
This smallish alligator was guarding the Anhinga trail right were we wanted to go. All that swampy brush to the right is perfect alligator territory. Here I am trying to cross in front of th ...

Here's that same gator that was guarding the trail. He just sat there with his mouth open. We later learned that this is a warning posture, and that you should not go within 15 feet of an al ...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:55:59 -0800

tilt
Here's that same gator that was guarding the trail. He just sat there with his mouth open. We later learned that this is a warning posture, and that you should not go within 15 feet of an al ...

a pretty water lilly

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:57:49 -0800

tilt
a pretty water lilly

This gator was much bigger, and much closer than the trail guard. He was also much sleepier, and couldn't care less about the people gawking at him.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:59:00 -0800

tilt
This gator was much bigger, and much closer than the trail guard. He was also much sleepier, and couldn't care less about the people gawking at him.

You don't get that fat without eating a few tourists a year.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:00:38 -0800

tilt
You don't get that fat without eating a few tourists a year.

The Green Heron. This is a beautiful bird - though not as large as the other Herons we saw, he still packs quite a punch when he goes after small fish.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:01:48 -0800

tilt
The Green Heron. This is a beautiful bird - though not as large as the other Herons we saw, he still packs quite a punch when he goes after small fish.

Laura poses next to the fat sleepy gator. She felt that the railing would offer some protection if the thing decided to charge. It's kind of hard to tell, but she's about 4 feet away from an ...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:02:56 -0800

tilt
Laura poses next to the fat sleepy gator. She felt that the railing would offer some protection if the thing decided to charge. It's kind of hard to tell, but she's about 4 feet away from an ...

Again, the birds just did not care about us. It was very cool.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:03:57 -0800

tilt
Again, the birds just did not care about us. It was very cool.

This is out of focus, but this bird had the most amazing emerald green eyes. I think this is the Double-crested Cormorant, but I'm not sure.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:04:26 -0800

tilt
This is out of focus, but this bird had the most amazing emerald green eyes. I think this is the Double-crested Cormorant, but I'm not sure.

Laura thought that this gator was "cute". He did have a beautiful hide.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:06:13 -0800

tilt
Laura thought that this gator was "cute". He did have a beautiful hide.

Biodiversity.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:07:35 -0800

tilt
Biodiversity.

These Anhingas each had their own tree.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:08:35 -0800

tilt
These Anhingas each had their own tree.

A Great Blue Heron looking suspiciously like the park entrance sign.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:10:01 -0800

tilt
A Great Blue Heron looking suspiciously like the park entrance sign.

This one looked at us when I flailed my arms and acted like a rival heron.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:10:35 -0800

tilt
This one looked at us when I flailed my arms and acted like a rival heron.

The Green Heron again. Always hunting.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:11:11 -0800

tilt
The Green Heron again. Always hunting.

Ho hum, yet another huge alligator.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:12:05 -0800

tilt
Ho hum, yet another huge alligator.

Another stressed out Green Heron. They all look like this all the time. Green Heron massage therapists must make a fortune.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:12:46 -0800

tilt
Another stressed out Green Heron. They all look like this all the time. Green Heron massage therapists must make a fortune.

purple flower?

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:13:17 -0800

tilt
purple flower?

Aww... aren't we just stinky and cute? Look at the landscape behind us. It goes on for MILES...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:14:12 -0800

tilt
Aww... aren't we just stinky and cute? Look at the landscape behind us. It goes on for MILES...

Cool flower. Not sure what it is, but we saw several of these.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:14:55 -0800

tilt
Cool flower. Not sure what it is, but we saw several of these.

I wish I had Jeff Corwin's job.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:15:51 -0800

tilt
I wish I had Jeff Corwin's job.

Another Great Blue Heron.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:17:24 -0800

tilt
Another Great Blue Heron.

What are you lookin at, punk?

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:17:55 -0800

tilt
What are you lookin at, punk?

This is a new dance called the Anhinga shuffle. For some reason, these birds that spend most of their time in the water do not have enough oil on their feathers to keep them dry. So, they st ...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:19:42 -0800

tilt
This is a new dance called the Anhinga shuffle. For some reason, these birds that spend most of their time in the water do not have enough oil on their feathers to keep them dry. So, they st ...

tilt's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:20:35 -0800

tilt

The Great Egret surveys his domain. These guys were everywhere. He's standing on a Cypress tree near Pa-hay-okee Overlook.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:21:31 -0800

tilt
The Great Egret surveys his domain. These guys were everywhere. He's standing on a Cypress tree near Pa-hay-okee Overlook.

Same Great Egret. This might be my favortite shot that I took.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:22:26 -0800

tilt
Same Great Egret. This might be my favortite shot that I took.

tilt's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:22:57 -0800

tilt

cool Cypress trees. They grow right in the water. I wonder how they take root?

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:24:35 -0800

tilt
cool Cypress trees. They grow right in the water. I wonder how they take root?

This is the Snowy Egret. The black bill distingushes him from the Great Egret.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:25:43 -0800

tilt
This is the Snowy Egret. The black bill distingushes him from the Great Egret.

A Great Egret stands on top of a Cypress Tree. Looks like he's giving a speech to an unseen audience.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:26:47 -0800

tilt
A Great Egret stands on top of a Cypress Tree. Looks like he's giving a speech to an unseen audience.

tilt's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:27:20 -0800

tilt

Same Great Egret. This shot give you an idea of the scale of the swamp.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:28:19 -0800

tilt
Same Great Egret. This shot give you an idea of the scale of the swamp.

a shot from the Pa-hay-okee Overlook. If you ignore the water, it almost looks like the Serengeti.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:29:44 -0800

tilt
a shot from the Pa-hay-okee Overlook. If you ignore the water, it almost looks like the Serengeti.

The Pa-hay-okee Overlook

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:30:40 -0800

tilt
The Pa-hay-okee Overlook

Classic Everglades shot from the Pa-hay-okee Overlook

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:32:33 -0800

tilt
Classic Everglades shot from the Pa-hay-okee Overlook

Cool snail at the Pa-hay-okee Overlook

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:33:36 -0800

tilt
Cool snail at the Pa-hay-okee Overlook

tilt's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:35:09 -0800

tilt

Another snail. This one is at Mahogany Hammock - a tiny island in the middle of the swamp. This place has some of the largest standing Mahogany trees anywhere in the world. Loggers didn't di ...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:35:56 -0800

tilt
Another snail. This one is at Mahogany Hammock - a tiny island in the middle of the swamp. This place has some of the largest standing Mahogany trees anywhere in the world. Loggers didn't di ...

This is a Gumbo Limbo tree. Very hard wood and very red bark. Hurricane Wilma took its toll on the park, with many trees down and much of the southern trails closed.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:37:24 -0800

tilt
This is a Gumbo Limbo tree. Very hard wood and very red bark. Hurricane Wilma took its toll on the park, with many trees down and much of the southern trails closed.

These are called Airplants. They grow on the side of larger trees - in this case, a mahogany.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:38:47 -0800

tilt
These are called Airplants. They grow on the side of larger trees - in this case, a mahogany.

The dangling roots that you see here are from the Strangler Fig tree. The Strangler Fig uses a host tree for support and nutrients and eventually kills the host after many years.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:39:50 -0800

tilt
The dangling roots that you see here are from the Strangler Fig tree. The Strangler Fig uses a host tree for support and nutrients and eventually kills the host after many years.

One of the giant mahogany trees in Mahogany Hammock. This place was a cool oasis of fresh air. Almost like a mountain trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:40:43 -0800

tilt
One of the giant mahogany trees in Mahogany Hammock. This place was a cool oasis of fresh air. Almost like a mountain trail.

Back to the Southern Black Racer As we were leaving the park, we saw a large object on the side of the road. I slowed down, but I thought it was just a piece of debris or trash. But the ...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:41:40 -0800

tilt
Back to the Southern Black Racer As we were leaving the park, we saw a large object on the side of the road. I slowed down, but I thought it was just a piece of debris or trash. But the ...

This is not really an everglades shot, but this is right outside of the park. And I mean right outside. These huge tracts of farmland border the park all along it's eastern edge. All runof ...

nobody@smugmug.com (tilt) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:42:33 -0800

tilt
This is not really an everglades shot, but this is right outside of the park. And I mean *right* outside. These huge tracts of farmland border the park all along it's eastern edge. All runof ...