Little Bird, Big Swamp
Everglades National Park, established in 1947, was the first park created not for its scenic beauty, but to protect a unique and fragile ecosystem:
“Here are no lofty peaks seeking the sky, no mighty glaciers or rushing streams wearing away the uplifted land. Here is land, tranquil in its quiet beauty, serving not as the source of water, but as the last receiver of it. To its natural abundance we owe the spectacular plant and animal life that distinguishes this place from all others in our country.” President Harry S. Truman at the dedication of Everglades National Park, December 6, 1947.
Yes, this is a swamp, but it is a beautiful swamp, swarming with life. In our few short forays into the wilderness, we crossed paths with countless creatures: alligators and egrets, snakebirds and storks, fish and flies. I suffered from a rare case of lens-envy; many of the other visitors were wielding lenses as long as my arm! Still, I got a few good shots:
Gators & Egret
Gator Back
Gator Face
Gator Smile
Gator Sky
Gator Gathering
Anhinga Gauge
Anhinga Preen
Heron Scratch
Heron Preen
Heron Sheen
The Everglades!
On to the Keys! Click here for Everglades, Part 1: Nearly Stranded in the Picayune Strand.
Travels with the Blonde Coyote 
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Super photos, but those two close ups of the alligators – great idea!
Seems your shots of the anhinga and heron prove you didn’t need one of them super long lenses after all! 😀
These are amazing photos Mary. I can’t believe how many alligators you saw.
No need for lens-envy – your photos are terrific and those big lenses are just heavy to pack around. Carol
No need for lens-envy – your photos are terrific and those huge lenses are heavy to pack around. Carol
Fantastic bird and alligator photos! Can’t believe that huge group! So cool!
I love your pictures. I’ve always wanted to go…so pretty.
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Amazing photographs! I was just there recently!Great work! 🙂