Winter in Florida

   By Thanksgiving, Shirley and I can count on people to start asking, "Where do you go in Florida?"  The question implies that, like many snow birds, we have a single, specific destination. Actually, we have several destinations. As RVers, we tend to move every week or so but there are places we like especially and return to repeatedly. That once included Everglades National Park but the swamp that was drained to create South Florida has been re-flooded to restore natural water flow. As recently as ten years ago, wildlife was forced to concentrate in the relatively few pockets of water during the winter dry season. Animals tolerated human presence because they had no choice. Now, with ample water all through the glades, they don't have to tolerate us so they head to the inaccessible back country. Even so, Shark Valley, the Tamiami Trail and Big Cypress National Preserve help to partially compensate for that.

   After Christmas, we are inclined to get as far south as quickly as we can to be reasonably assured of pleasant weather. Last winter, even in Naples, there were cold-stunned, colorful iguanas falling out of trees. People were taking selfies in front of the fireplace at Cracker Barrel because in Naples there is rarely a reason have a fire.

   One of our favorite stops for a week or two is at Bear Island Campground in Big Cypress. On the map, Bear Island looks like it is just off I-75 east of Naples but there is no exit there. You have to continue south on Rt. 41, called the Tamiami Trail because it runs from Tampa to Miami, and then turn north on a gravel road for 24 miles. The gravel road loops back under I-75 and continues a couple miles to the campground. In the still of the night, you can hear the hum of traffic in the distance, The rewards for taking that roundabout way are that there are gators and birds. Casual visitors tend to turn around before they even get close.  

   After Bear Island we may head over to Midway Campground farther east on the Tamiami or turn north to Ocala National Forest where we stay at Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, and Salt Springs. We have specific campsites we prefer and reserve them as soon as they become available . 

Ibis fishing in the shallows.

This juvenile ibis has not yet acquired all white feathers.

The little blue heron is smaller than the great blue and its is solid blue.

Tilapia are non-native fish that thrive in South Florida.

The snowy egret is recognizable by her "golden slippers."

The wood stork was once endangered but is now making a comeback.

The Great Blue Heron is familiar to folks all over the country, including NW Ohio.

Midway Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve has hookups and

wide spacing. We avoid commercial campgrounds that squeeze you in

shoulder to shoulder.

The female anhinga is recognizable by her brownish neck and head. The male's are black. She must open her wings to dry in the sun. They are not waterproof so she can swim more efficiently in pursuit of underwater prey.

Swamp lily.

Salt Springs is surrounded by a retaining wall that gives it a more developed look.

Alexander Springs, in comparison, is more natural and, because of deeper water at the vents, is popular with scuba divers. These departed hastily when a six-foot gator came to see what they were up to.

Mermaid Mondays at Alexander Springs. Gators never bother them.

We always schedule a week at Alexander Springs during the Winter Horse Trials at nearby Rocking Horse Stables where there are show jumping, dressage, and cross country events. 

Horse and rider down. Cross country racing poses additional risks.

Don't let the gators sneak up on you.

This is not always just a sign that he is ready for his afternoon nap. 

The purple gallinule is Shirley's favorite bird because of its colorful plumage.

Long toes spread its weight so can walk on waterlilies without sinking.

Black crowned night heron.

The little green heron perches just above the water and leans over to catch fish.

Phoebe sings her name.

Came on a nest of newly hatched gators.

What? Me worry?

At Bear Island, our favorite campsite has ample privacy.

Some people are probably deterred by the prospect of driving 24 miles of gravel road.

Hawks come regularly to see what we are having for breakfast.

Wild turkeys are also daily visitors.

At Juniper Springs there is a mill house built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

At Salt Springs a pair of loud sandhill cranes landed right in our campsite.

There are large blue crabs at Salt Springs.

And hundreds of foot-long mullet

Wild jasmine

What's a Garden of Eden without a snake?

 God created the zoom lens so you can keep your distance from evil.

But most snakes, like this Florida banded water snake, are harmless.

See. He's smiling at you.

Black racer. Don't bother running. You can't get away. 

No. That's not true. He, too, is harmless. Unless you're a rodent.

The Way it Used to Be

      Looking through photos taken at Everglades National Park just makes me even sorrier that those days are gone for good.  There were not only more animals but more different kinds of animals. Here's a sample. We left off above with reptiles so lets continue with some.

Cottonmouth Water Moccasin is definitely not harmless. If you don't know

what you are dealing with, back up and walk away. In fact, even if you 

think you do know what you are dealing with, walk away anyhow.

During the mating season, bull gators tell the ladies they are available

by bellowing that makes the water dance on their back. Also lets the

competition judge their size by the volume and tone of voice.

Sometimes the competition requires further persuasion.

The loser scrambled into the swamp to lick his wounds.

A fellow next to me asked, "What's that big black bird that looks

like a vulture?" I said, "Well, we call that a black vulture." 

In my usual pedantic way, I went on to explain that the black vulture

is not to be confused with the turkey vulture that has a red head.

This little fellow was barely big enough to handle a blue gill.

This female  anhinga also caught lunch but it may be for her chicks.

The male shares feeding duties. He's not swallowing that chick.

An impatient offspring will dive down his throat to get lunch.

During the breeding season, the male anhinga develops bright 

turquois eyes. 

The great white egret develops that green stripe from beak to eye.

The great blue heron busts some great moves on the dance floor. This 

was taken on Feb. 14. Valentine's Day. Really.

Sometimes the result of mating season is something only a 

mother could love. This is a juvenile wood stork.