The Everglades

Yesterday we visited the Everglades. We thought we had good directions, but had to stop in Homestead to ask for more. We did not see any signs going north from Key Largo, but once we got turned around, south, there were the signs!

Our first stop was a park ranger guided tour of the Ahinga Trail. If you visit the Everglades, don't miss this trail. You will see more wildlife here than in other sections of the park. Here we saw quite a few birds, soft-shelled turtles, gars, tilapia, bass and alligators. We saw an ahinga, which is a bird that hunts fish underwater.

After the Ahinga we continued southwest to Flamingo City for a guided pontoon boat tour. We wanted to get on the 12:30 PM boat, but when we got there, at 12:20, we were told the tour started at 12. The next one was at 2. So, we bought some lunch at the Marina Shop. Not much of a lunch selection. It would be better to bring along some food.

We ate on a marina picnic table. Ventured off to nearby Echo Pond to kill some time. Got some photos of a fishing spoonbill along with several mosquito bites...the mosquito season is supposedly over by this time of year.

Went back to the marina and got on the Pelican pontoon boat. Saw lots of mangroves...after this trip I don't need to see anymore! Spotted a few birds, herons, osprey, cormorants. Did not see as much as I thought we would.

Overall it was on okay day. I am disappointed that there was not more wildlife. If there is a richness here, we missed it.

Got back to Azul del Mar, our boutique hotel, about 5 PM. Dinner was salads we bought at the supermarket. Watched Dreamgirls, read a little and then lights out!