BIG CYPRESS AND EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
We were greeted by waterbirds, along the Tamiami Trail (U. S. 41) before Everglades City. There was water on the prairies and flocks of wading birds were feeding, flying back and forth or mainly resting and sleeping. There was a news that a dozen Roseate Spoonbills have been spotted around the area the day before we arrived. We stopped for a while and drove to Everglades National Park Harbor in Everglades City to see the Black Skimmers. Norman talked about the Black Skimmers and wanted to show them badly to our friends. Well, when the past hurricane hit the area, they left and haven't been back for awhile. Quite a disappointment.
As we continue our drive, we noticed, Kirby Storter Boardwalk was improved. A new parking lot is wider and a raised boardwalk was built leading us to the heart of cypress strand.
The drive along the Turner River Road gave us an opportunity to see more wading birds and photograph the most elusive Belted Kingfisher. The male and the female were difficult to capture on camera but we were happy with what we got. They were better heard than seen.
|
 |
| Big Cypress Swamp |
|
|
Visiting Our Wildlife Drive Again
|
We were still enjoying the mildest winter weather in Ontario when we planned our trip to Florida with our friends Detlev and Marilyn. When we were ready to leave, winter arrived with a vengeance and dump heavy snow all over southern Ontario. All we can do is to postpone the trip for another day. Finally, the roads were clear and we were on our way like a caravan crossing the border in Windsor, Ontario. We followed I-75 right through five States to the final destination, the sunshine State of Florida. The destination was not Disney World, but to all our favorite nature spots, we call it "Our Wildlife Drive." Our mission; to re-visit our favorite nature parks and to photograph birds and other wildlife.
Every year since 1989, Norman and I have photographed wildlife in these locations using film cameras. This year is different because we were equipped with Digital Cameras and an HD video camera.
As excited as our friends, we traveled and photographed the birds along the nature trails of Mayaka to Sanibel Island to the Everglades. It has been a good birding and photographing trip.
|
 |
| Juvenile Purple Gallinule |
|
 |
| Green Heron |
|
 |
| Anhinga Nest with chick |
|
 |
| Female Belted Kingfisher |
|
 |
| Alligator |
|
 |
| Male Belted Kingfisher |
|
 |
| Mouth Of The Alligator |
|
 |
| Kildeer |
|
 |
| Cypress Trees |
|
|
|
