Shark Valley, Florida Everglades

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

An early start is necessary today for the three hour drive to Shark Valley located on US Hwy 41 in Everglades National Park several miles west of Miami, Florida.  Kitty and I are traveling with Ken and Norma, and Norma's sister Sharon, and Ken is at the wheel.  About half way through the three hour drive to Shark Valley, we stopped for a quick break at Holiday Park, home of the Gator Boys.  We arrived here too early to see one of the many gator shows or air boat tours.  But, we were greeted by this friendly Peacock looking for some breakfast.

The air boats are docked waiting for the park to open.

After stretching our legs, we continued our journey to Shark Valley arriving about 30 minutes prior to our tram reservations.  The trail through Shark Valley park is about 15 miles long and a guided tour on their open air tram is a great way to see the park and learn about the environment here.

Most of us tend to think of the Everglades as a vast swamp area.  But, it is actually a river of grass. Water, from as far north as Tampa, flows south into the Everglades creating a slow moving river that drains into the Gulf via the Shark River Slough in Florida's southern tip.  In addition, this subtropical climate receives about 40 to 65 inches of rain during the summer wet season.  However, much of this water is channeled through an extensive canal system to support the fast growing human population in South Florida.  Thus creating a water shortage in the Everglades.  Plus several invasive species of plants and animals have devastated the environment here making Everglades National park the most endangered park in the National Park system.

It's time to meet our tour group.  L to R: Ken, Norma, Sharon, Kitty, and Craig

 This is a shot of Kitty and me as we start our tram ride through the Everglades.

Photo by Sharon

 This is why it is called the river of grass.

This is one of many fresh water habitats found in the Everglades.

Here is a hardwood hammock created by an area that may only be several inches above the water allowing trees to grow.

The Everglades is a paradise for bird lovers. Many people come here just to see the wide variety of birds.  The following pictures are some of the birds we saw on our tour.

This is a Little Blue Heron

These baby Anhingas want some food!

Photo by Sharon

 This Tricolored Heron is looking for a meal.

This Great Egret has a eye on its next meal

This Comorant is checking us out.

This Great Blue Heron is safely tucked away in a tree.

 This Common Gallinule is staring us down!

Of course, no trip to the Everglades would be complete without seeing some Alligators.

The gator in this picture doesn't look as big as he really is.  He is estimated to be about 13 feet long. Our tour guide reminded these people to stay at least 15 feet away from gators.  Gators can jump 6 feet and run faster than humans for short distances.  The next picture shows how big he really is.

Photo by Sharon

This was one big gator!  "Danger Will Robinson!"

 Can you see the cute baby gators?  When mommy gator started hissing, no one had to tell us it was time to leave here immediately!

Photo by Sharon

The next two pictures were taken atop the 65 foot observation tower.   Above the trees one can see for miles and miles.

You can see the Hardwood Hammocks scattered among the "river of grass".

After our tram tour and a short walking tour, Kitty said, "I'm so hungry I could eat a gator!"  We all agreed it was time for lunch.  So, we headed out of Shark Valley and found a restaurant a short distance from Shark Valley entrance.

Our final stop today is the Miccosukee Indian Reservation.

The Miccosukee Indians were originally part of the lower Creek Nation in the areas known today as Alabama and Geogia.  They settled in the Everglades after the last Seminole War in 1858.  They were officially recognized by the US government as an individual tribe in 1962.  Their reservation now has a gift shop, air boat tours, and authentic Indian village tour, alligator shows, and exhibits.

This Comorant is about to have lunch.  Looks like he caught an eel!

This Anhinga is drying his feathers after diving in the water for fish.  Or, perhaps he is just letting his deodorant dry!  Ha!

Of course, there were plenty of gators to greet us!

I carefully stood over this gator to get this picture...RIGHT!

I thinks this guy is looking for a dentist!

This panther was killed by a car and is now on display at the Miccosukee visitor center.

Here's the happy explorers, Ken, Sharon, and Norma

Some places we've been we enjoyed; but, we wouldn't plan to visit again.  However, the Everglades is not one of these places.  It's a place that will change every time you see it, and the rainy season is completely different from the dry season.  There's a lot of wild life we did not see on this trip.  But, next time who knows what we will find.  As Arnold likes to say, "I'll be back!"