Last Day at Everglades National Park

The Everglades is not what I expected.  I learned that it's not a swamp but a river, it is not mosquito-infested this time of the year, it's not too hot or humid.  It has a certain understated beauty that I fell in love with.  Experienced many "firsts" here.  First time seeing a rattle snake in its natural habitat, wood stork, swamp lilly, Florida gar, zebra butterfly, gumbo limbo tree, cocoa plum, pond apple, strangler fig, spatterdock and barred owl. 

The ranger-guided programs officially began today.  The programs are free and they provide everything you need i.e. canoes, kayaks, bikes, walking sticks and knowledgeable guides.  We took advantage of the canoe trip through the mangroves, the Nike Missile tour, Anhinga amble and the slough slog. 

Yesterday we biked the Long Pine Key Trail which was a little more difficult than I expected due to the mud, puddles and ruts.  Is it just my imagination or is there always a head wind when your tired and peddling your last leg of 15 miles?!

End of the dreaded bike trail

This is the beginning of the trail - that's why I'm still smiling

Today we took the Nike Missile Site Walk and our guide was well informed and personable.  She talked about the Cold War and the history of the Nike Missle Base where U.S. Army soldiers defended the Nation from the threat of Soviet and Cuban attack.  Our guide's husband was serving during that time and she had a lot of first- hand information.

Came close to running this big guy over on our way to the Nike Missile Tour - our first sighting of a rattler

Nike Hercules land to air missile is now obsolete

Our best Everglade experience was today's Slough Slog (pronounced "slew").  We were the only ones to show up for the slog (that happens to us a lot) so we had a private tour.  We wore long pants, socks and sneakers for this walk.  We waded through the river of saw grass into the shadows of a gator hole and cypress dome.  The cypress dome was our favorite because the saw grass is more difficult to move through and the cypress dome has deeper water and more wildlife.  We were one of the lucky few to hear then see a Barred Owl.  The Barred Owl is a large typical owl native to North America. It goes by many other names, including Eight Hooter, Rain Owl, Wood Owl, and Striped Owl, but is probably best known as the Hoot Owl based on its call.  They are 16-25" long with a 38-49" wing span.  The chest is barred horizontally and the belly is streaked vertically.  The owl we saw was large (probably 20") and he was looking right at us when Denis took pictures.

Slogging through the saw grass

Slogging through the cypress dome

Denis getting in position for a photo of the owl

This barred owl was hooting to it's mate - we heard him before we saw him
 

What a great adventure this has been.  We are truly blessed.