Swamp Things

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Today is a little cloudy with temperatures hovering around seventy degrees.  However, the wind chill factor makes it feel like it's in the mid sixties.  But, we are a tough breed and can survive such conditions.  After all, as kids, we had to walk to school in the snow, up hill...both ways!  So, we ventured out into the elements with Pat and Ted and found ourselves at a wildlife sanctuary just a few miles north of Okeechobee, Florida.

Here's the tough one's.  L to R: Pat, Ted, Kitty, and Craig

The wildlife sanctuary is actually part of the Taylor Creek Water Management System. They have trails that circle around a large pond that is full of wildlife including birds, snakes, and gators.  There are no protective fences or barriers.  So, you need to be careful and be aware of your surroundings. We didn't see any snakes due to the cool temperatures.  If they had been out and about, rest assured  Eagle Eye Ted would have spotted 'em.  But, we did see plenty of birds and gators.

I wonder if they filmed the movie Swamp Thing here!

We saw quite a variety of birds.  Some birds we could identify, and some we could not identify.  So, we consulted Barry The Bird Man to help us identify some of these birds.  He really knows his birds, and if he can't identify a particular bird, he knows how to get it identified. We really appreciate his help.  Now, once I get past a Robin or a Pigeon, I'm lost!

The gator pictures will follow after these bird pictures.

Heron

Coot

White Ibis

Egret

Wood Stork

Great Blue Heron

 Great Blue Heron

Young Heron

Double Crested Cormorants

Anhinga

When you are walking in this part of the country, it's important that you know a few things about gators for your own safety.  First, they can swim and stay under water for extended periods of time.  So, never swim in any stream or lake around here.  Second, they like to eat small white dogs, so don't bring your dogs to this place!  Also, they are very fast on land.  Many people don't realize how fast gators can run, and you can't out run them if you run in a straight line.  The only way you can get away from them is to zig n zag.

Having said all that, we felt pretty safe because Kitty was with us.  She has two bad knees and can't zig n zag.  We figured she would end up as gator food while the rest of us made it to a safe place!  Ha!

Most of the gators in these pictures were about six feet long except for the two juveniles.

Here gator gator!  Here gator gator!

This guy is covered in moss.

Juvenile Gator

Juvenile Gator swimming away from us. 

Kitty! Don't get so close!  Get ready to zig n zag!

I am pleased to report that we departed the wildlife sanctuary with all of our limbs attached.  To celebrate, we headed to town for ice cream!  You have to be tough to have ice cream after walking about two miles of wilderness trails with a wind chill of 65 degrees!